A Mudslide Made Stranded Travelers Grim…Until the Music Started

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Music can be found in the oddest places–even in the rain near a road full of stranded travelers.

On Saturday, January 16, Mary Vellutini drove west on Hwy 299. She expected the drive to take her two hours but it took her 10 and yet, she says, she smiled most of the time.

Why?

Because of a small group of musicians.

Vellutini got stuck in traffic behind a large slide that unexpectedly closed Hwy 299 in northwestern California Saturday and Sunday (Take a look at a Caltrans video of the moving mountain here.) At first the drivers kept their engines idling. But, after awhile, some turned their keys off and occasionally stepped out into the cold to mingle with their fellow travelers.

Vellutini struck up a conversation with a group. “At some point they told me they were musicians on their way to play in Eureka,” she explained. Eventually, getting chilly, she climbed back into her car.

Later, she wrote a description of what happened next:

[One and a half] hours into our wait I saw them getting instrument cases and musical stands out of their cars. I opened my window and asked them if they were going to play. The response, a smiling “Why not?!”

I was ridiculously excited and told them that this was the coolest thing ever. Within minutes they had set up and started playing. A small crowd of admirers surrounded [them]. Other people hung back a little, but were also enjoying the moment.

Here’s a snippet of what Vellutini and her fellow travelers saw: (Note the moving mudslide in the background and the rain dripping down…)

“One of the people that was with [the chamber group] started handing out handbills and inviting us to their concert,” she explained.

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The Trinity Alps Chamber Players sweetened the wait for the stranded travelers without requesting anything in return. “They absolutely did not ask for donations,” Vellutini said, “and I got the feeling that they wouldn’t have taken them. I’m pretty sure it was just a spontaneous moment. It felt like a gift. I smile now just thinking of it.”

Eventually, the mudslide won the battle with the road and the travelers were turned back. Vellutini almost didn’t care. She wrote, “[M]y two hour trip home turned into a 10 hour traveling ordeal. Well, it would have been an ordeal, but…this happened….I ended up having to backtrack and drive four more hours. I smiled most of the way.”

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23 Comments
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Karen Matlock
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Karen Matlock
8 years ago

Love this story!

lynda
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lynda
8 years ago

One of those gifts that will be always remembered!

Hick
Guest
Hick
8 years ago

cool!

Jackie Ginn
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Jackie Ginn
8 years ago

Love it!

Susan Cousins
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Susan Cousins
8 years ago

These musician are wonderful! They perform several times a year in Trinity County and around the north state, Redding, and Eureka too.

Stephen
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Stephen
8 years ago

That’s 1 way to keep people calm 🙂

Marcia Mendels
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Marcia Mendels
8 years ago

Lovely moment–thanks for sharing it!

Pat
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Pat
8 years ago

Even though we didn’t get to enjoy their planned concert on Saturday night in Eureka, I am so happy that others got to enjoy their talents – and we got to see this neat little video!

Citizen
Guest
8 years ago

Live music beats just sitting in the car and listening to the radio.

Monica
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Monica
8 years ago

This would only happen in our lovely Humboldt!

Trinity
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Trinity
8 years ago
Reply to  Monica

This happened in Trinity County!

Seamus
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Seamus
8 years ago

Nice!

David Lippman
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David Lippman
8 years ago

They are a wonderful group of musicians whose mission is bringing music to our rural area. The epitome of making lemons into lemonade. Well done Ian and friends!

Cuttengall
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Cuttengall
8 years ago

Just like the scene in Titanic!!! Epically wonderful !!!❤️🎼❤️

Susanne
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Susanne
8 years ago

Thank you for publishing it! Hope for the next generation. Lovely YOUNG! people making it happen., and just paying forward.

Tall Trees
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Tall Trees
8 years ago

thats funny they could of bounced to highway 36 and over to 3 then to redding or straight to redbluff 10 hrs get a fucking map.

Ullr rover
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Ullr rover
8 years ago
Reply to  Tall Trees

Ummmm…… wrong way. They were headed to the coast and stuck on the East side.

From there, there is no short way to the coast…. 1 hour back to 3, 1 hour through Hay fork to 36 and another 2 hours to 101…. if the highways are passable.

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
8 years ago

Let the good times roll!!
Such a great story; thanks for sharing!!

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
8 years ago

Soothe the savage beasts!

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[…] A Mudslide Made Stranded Travelers Grim…Until the Music Started […]

Beethoven
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5 years ago

http://www.TrinityAlpsCMF.org for more! Coming your way soon!