Freedom Defined: A Miller Sisters Marathon

When I moved to Valdez last summer I volunteered to help organize the 2010 City of Valdez 4th of July Festival. I had high hopes for this event as I love any reason to throw a party. I asked my good friends to play for the main show on the 4th. These girls for real. There's so much talent wrapped up in an acoustic guitar and mandolin they don't even need a full band. Get their band out there though and it is on, party people. I knew with our limited budget, we wouldn't be able to offer them anything close to their worth but those girls love Alaska and were thrilled with having a reason to return to the The Last Frontier. It wasn't an easy trek as only weeks before their departure tragedy hit the little valley where we all met back in 2004. Two friends lives were lost and it stopped everyone in their tracks. The girls and their families were especially close to Bryan Silker. Mourning that loss and getting ready for the trip proved more than difficult. But they pressed on. Chad and Candice brought along baby Mary Jane. What a treat this was for Brian and I. It had been 10 months since we last saw her. What an adorable little lady she's becoming. What a great experience for her to see Alaska! Karee and Jason were celebrating their much over due honeymoon so they left their babes at home. I borrowed an RV for their honeymoon suite and the rest of us holed up in the #24 trailer. I was a bit worried if they'd be OK with the simple accommodations but why I felt that way I'll never know. These people are real. They are down to earth and completely thrilled with the opportunity to visit Alaska again. My friend Lindy and I fixed up their rooms with pretty flowers, toys for the baby, pictures of their families and a goody bag. I wanted them to really feel welcome. I'm sure they loved that. I'm certain they appreciated it but the reality is, this special little place will make anyone feel welcome, with little to no effort at all. And so the Miller Sister Marathon began...
They rolled in early one morning after an all night drive from Anchorage. I quickly showed them around and ran out the door to go to work. I was worried they might not find enough to do. Right. They took off on a 24 hour trek to visit Chitina and McCarthy, AK, with glacier viewing in between. They enjoyed kayaking at the Valdez glacier and we all barbecued at the beach with fresh caught Copper River red salmon and a bon fire. And then it was show time. Their first gig was scheduled at the only bar in town that ever really hosts live music. It's a little rough, AK style, but has the potential of packing a ton of people. I remember being so nervous that entire day that no one would show up. I mean, I know these girls are fabulous but no one in Valdez had heard of them before. What if no one came out? Did I promote it enough? Silly me. Unfortunately, Valdez has little to no night life. The posters and word of mouth alone packed that smokey dive bar and the girls showed up ready to rock.
They got on stage at 10:00 and didn't take a break until 2AM. That break was short lived as they were quickly back on stage belting out all types of music from original tunes to Janis Joplin to Johnny Cash to Four Non-Blondes. The crowd was in heaven. We left there around 4 AM with pockets full of cash for the girls and energy that could have kept us up for days. Wait...I think that energy did keep us up for days....The next night was a smaller gig but just as much fun. The sound in the smaller venue seemed a bit more clear, more full, which is funny because the girls did their own sound that night. We danced and sang until the wee hours (again) with the crowd begging for more. "We've got to get these girls back to Valdez!" "We need to book a huge show at the Civic Center with their whole band!" "Will they come back for our Christmas party?" And the compliments went on and on. The next day was the 4th of July Festival. The rain and grey skies were a little disappointing but the energy of the town was high. It was a nice family atmosphere which we needed after our two previous wild nights but was equally just as fun. After my friends helped me organize the parade we had an entire day to just do whatever felt intriguing. For the boys that meant doing next to nothing. For the girls that meant shopping and gabbing. Giggle fits were common with us that day, I'm sure all influenced by sleep deprivation. Whatever the reason is was simple and carefree fun. When the Miller gals were ready,dressed in blue Jessica McClintock gowns with red white and blue boas and tall Uncle Sam hats, the final show began. It was another fabulous performance ending in fireworks and a bon fire. We topped the evening off back at the hotel bar when the Miller Sisters were asked to sing one more time for the packed tavern. They complied, atop the bar even, and once again left the crowd asking for more. As if this day weren't fabulous enough, as we stood outside in the rain debating our next move the guys from hit TV show, The Deadliest Catch, casually walked around the corner. My husband instantly recognized them. The group photographs began. Moments later another fellow offered to run down to his boat and grab a fresh bag of shrimp for all of us to try. Now, is that Alaskan or what? We stood out there and drank a few beers while the Miller Girls sang one last tune for this tiny late night crowd. Absolutely perfect. I remember Candice saying that Alaska inspires thinking and reflection and man, have we had reason to think lately. This trip for them and the experience for us was bit therapeutic in a sense. It was the natural upswing of the pendulum after the deep down swing of loss, beautiful yet humbling. We laughed and cried and reminisced. It was a reminder of what matters, the precious simplicities of life. As the Indigo Girls and the Miller Sisters sing: " The best thing you've ever done for me is to help me take my life less seriously, it's only life after all...."
As our friends packed their bags the next day and prepared for the long journey home I grew sad about it all coming to an end. I mean, yes, I needed to sleep for a good 3 days to fully recover, but having a taste of home in a place so far from where we originally met was just the best Independence Day treat. This experience defines freedom for me. Old friends reuniting in a magical place greeted by people who are so appreciative and full of life means we must being doing something right. Or maybe we are just get it right in picking quality friends and quality places to call home. Whatever it is, I love it. Y'all come back now, ya hear?