Just this past weekend Harry and I enjoyed one of our favorite summertime activities: taking in an outdoor concert. I don’t know if it’s luck, fate or some subconscious choice on our parts, but for the last 20-some years, we’ve managed to find homes that are in fairly close proximity to some outstanding outdoor amphitheaters. Last summer I mentioned two of these in a blog about summer concerts — Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash. (about two miles from our then-house) and the Gorge at George, Wash. (about 40 miles’ drive from our place in East Wenatchee). Happily, our new home is equally blessed being sited close to a great concert venue. Jacksonville, Ore. (less that 10 miles from the house), has been home for decades to the Britt Music Festival. While at its inception the focus was primarily on classical music, these days the acts booked there run the gamut from country western to African folk music to rock. On this particular evening, we were looking forward to enjoying the music of The Moody Blues.  One of the aspects we appreciate most about the Britt is that one can bring in whatever food and drink one wants. No need to buy overpriced, unappealing (and barely warm) food or beer (not cold enough) or wine not to one’s taste — outstanding! One thing we don’t particularly enjoy is the lack of parking anywhere near the amphitheater. Jacksonville is a charming little town established in the mid-1800s during a gold rush boom, and it boasts a shopping district with all the original storefronts and streets lined with quaint Victorian houses and churches (The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid was filmed here). All that original architecture means that the streets are no wider than they were in the horse-and-buggy days, so we found ourselves lugging the makings of our gourmet picnic uphill (because of course the venue is set in a natural bowl on a hill above town) from quite a distance in the full blaze of the late-afternoon sun. Once settled on our blankets on the green lawn under the shading pines, a cool glass of Chardonnay in hand, we forgot that inconvenience and settled in to people-watch, visit with our fellow concertgoers and nibble on our appetizers. Right on time, the band appeared with little fanfare and no warm-up group. Original members Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge were joined by newer additions Paul Bliss (keyboards and guitar), Norda Mullen (great flutist!), Gordon Marshall (drums) and Bernedette Barlow (keyboards). I have to say that, unlike some of their contemporaries who are also still rockin’, Hayward and Lodge still have clear, strong voices, and Edge’s rendition of the “Breathe deep . . . ” monologue in “Nights in White Satin” retains its wonderful, deep resonance. They played for a good 45 minutes before taking a 20-minute intermission, playing both well-known tunes as well as those less familiar from several of their albums. Just as the band returned for their second set, we looked up to see the space shuttle Endeavor, a fast-moving point of light among the stars emerging in the darkening sky overhead, tracking directly over the site . . . a nice addition to a lovely evening. We enjoyed another hour or so of great music, concluding with “Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” and “Nights in White Satin” before a double encore of “Question” and “Ride My Seesaw.” By the time the last note was played, the audience made up mostly of we aging baby-boomers was on its feet and loud in its approval. I’m happy to say we’ve got tickets for at least two more shows this summer; what a treat to look forward to!! –Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader Global Traveler has joined the world of social marketing. For breaking news, special offers and much more, fan us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @Gtmag!