Life as traveling musicians is full of surprises. Sometimes these encounters are tough, and sometimes they’re just plain lucky.
About a month ago, we had two gigs booked in Walla Walla, Washington. We set up camp in the nearest campground, about 40 minutes away in Oregon, and headed into town, excited to play and explore. But as we drove toward Walla Walla, the state patrol closed the road behind us because of wildfires spreading across the Palouse. Our way back to the campsite was blocked, leaving us with nowhere to sleep.
We played our first gig with this worry hanging over us. During our set, we told the audience about our situation, and a kind stranger offered us their empty Airbnb for the night.
We were incredibly grateful and took them up on their offer. The next day, well-rested, we played our second gig. By that evening, the wildfire had passed, and we could return to our campsite.
We spent the following day exploring Pendleton, Oregon. The smoky haze between us and the Blue Mountains was a stark reminder of nature’s power and the reality of wildfires.
This experience taught us about the unexpected kindness you can find on the road. It’s a reminder that even when things get tough, there’s still good in the world – especially when people are willing to help each other out.
