Now that we’re back on track with 007: Snap a Dozen Days, this shot embodies July for me:

Hanging out with Shelley, Mike, Daschel, and Irisa at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. We’ve been camping together for five years now and it just wouldn’t seem like July without our annual gathering.

This shot is just before we parted ways at the end of the weekend, which is why everyone looks a little weary, sunburnt, and/or impatient. But it’s the only shot I have with all of us in it. Other shots from the weekend can be found here.

The festival was good this year. Only a couple of rain showers — one Friday night and one Saturday morning — fell on us this year, as opposed to all weekend like last year, and not a single explosion/fire marred our experience. It really seemed like the organizers listened to our criticisms from last year, and we definitely saw a more obvious presence from volunteers and security as well as a better rain plan for those cars parked around the farm.

Thursday night was just Rudi and me, as Shelley and Mike opted to come up Friday in order to stay later on Sunday. We particularly enjoyed the harmonies of The Lovell Sisters, who are coming to the Kennedy Center’s free Millennium Stage later this month. We got a chance to meet them to have them sign our cds, and they were just sweet and overwhelmed and lovely. And they had their parents there with them. Isn’t that adorable?

Friday, despite applying sunscreen early, I awoke from an accidental morning nap in the hammock a radiant pink color. I listened to the emerging artist showcase from camp and was delighted with Vienna Teng’s dulcet tones, as well as with several others. Friday night we ventured down to the festival, only to have to quickly reverse directions with a sick child and impending rain. We did get a chance to see The Jason Spooner Trio, and Shelley and I later returned down the hill during the Friday Night Song Swap, featuring Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, Mary Gauthier, and Marshall Crenshaw.

Saturday during the day, I just begged for shade. Merely having sun shine on me hurt (Isn’t it amazing the way our bodies do that? “You! Stupid! Didn’t you learn yesterday not to hang out in the sun?!”), although a “Three Geeks and a Red Head” ice cream cone helped some with the mental anguish. We listened to the evening acts from camp, where we sat around the charcoal grill and made s’mores. We didn’t get to see the lights on the hillside during Dar Williams’ “Iowa,” but we imagined them. The night was lovely, and one of my favorite moments of the festival.

Sunday, we broke down camp after a hardy breakfast and then headed to the festival. I consumed a large lemonade and a savory crepe for lunch while hanging out in the kids’ section, before we returned to load up the cars during Richard Shindell’s set. We were back down at the mainstage in time to catch the final two acts of the festival — The Nields and Arlo Guthrie. Arlo was in especially fine form and regaled the audience with hilarious stories from his past. He was the perfect performer to end the weekend with.

And then it was all over for another year…

Earlier shots in the 007 series: June, May, April, March, February, and January.