A little more than seven years ago, Fern and I packed my car and set out for the journey of a lifetime. Armed with about three hundred bucks each, no cell phones, and thousands of mileposts ahead of us we left for Big Sky Country - the great state of Montana. We look back now and wonder what in the world we were doing. To be so far from home with nothing more than roadside payphones in a car with over a hundred and fifty thousand miles experience seems a little foolish. However, we've concluded that the youthful, free-spirited and adventure-seeking mindsets that we had as young men lent the opportunity to see a much bigger world than we knew existed. What began as a road trip became one of the most life-changing experiences of our lives.
'We're on our way back home now, we haven't said a lot.
For what we brought back with us wasn't what we bought.'
Recently, as we were hanging out on the back porch one night, we discovered ourselves longing for that experience again. But why? There were a lot of questions and very few answers. Maybe we were looking for something that we'd lost. Was it the music? I suppose that was some of it. Maybe it was even an attempt to suppress any feelings that come with growing up of a lack of freedom to actually do those kinds of things. So were we looking for that experience again so that we could be assured that it was still okay to be youthful and adventuresome? I suppose that could have been some of it too. Hell, maybe we were just looking for the sake of looking. Regardless, we decided that night that we'd give in and satisfy the urge for a new quest.
Well, the first thing we had to do was ask permission from Cheryl and Ginger. Okay, that's definitely different from seven years ago. But it should come as no surprise that these two wonderful women agreed to let us loose for a few days. Next, we had to decide where to go. We both have roots in Texas so that was an easy decision. Finally, we had to drag out the palm pilots and pocket calendars and try to work time in each of our schedules to make this trip happen. Yes, another major difference from seven years ago. We didn't have two weeks like the last time; we had four and a half days! So what can you do in four and a half days? Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but Fern and I can pack in quite a bit of adventure in a pretty short time. And that's exactly what we did.
Twelve hundred miles; a few beers and a few cigars; the Alamo and the Riverwalk; visits with one granny, two in-laws, and two Crocketts; a 'gig' at a cowboy church; a Taco Stand, a Taco Bueno, a Chili's, a Rudy's, one Hard Rock, and one Blue Rock; and finally another twelve hundred miles.
Amazingly, we found a couple of hours on Saturday to slow down - in fact, for those few hours, it felt as if time was standing still. We visited our old friend, Billy Crockett, and his wife Dodee at their home near Wimberley, TX. We caught up, swapped stories over a pot of coffee, and shared some music with each other. It was so wonderful to hear Billy play and sing - what a gifted poet, songwriter, and musician. It's an honor to call one of the greatest musical influences in my life a friend.
I guess Fern and I are still sorting out the feelings and emotions of the trip, looking for what it may or may not have meant. I think we both realize that a reconnection happened - a reconnection to the road, the music, and an old friend. It was amazing how comfortable that all felt. And that first taste of Blue Rock is still fresh in my mind. It was a 'pre'connection to a taste I know I will want again. Whatever the meaning behind it all, it brings one thought into light and beckons a tough question. A seven year span of time and music was brought full circle this past weekend. What an incredible journey! But here's the question: does a full circle constitute a conclusion, a closed ring of history? Or does it signal the need for another lap that's run harder with more experience? I don't know. And without that answer, this conversation must continue.
'We're on our way back home now, we haven't said a lot.
For what we brought back with us wasn't what we bought.'
Recently, as we were hanging out on the back porch one night, we discovered ourselves longing for that experience again. But why? There were a lot of questions and very few answers. Maybe we were looking for something that we'd lost. Was it the music? I suppose that was some of it. Maybe it was even an attempt to suppress any feelings that come with growing up of a lack of freedom to actually do those kinds of things. So were we looking for that experience again so that we could be assured that it was still okay to be youthful and adventuresome? I suppose that could have been some of it too. Hell, maybe we were just looking for the sake of looking. Regardless, we decided that night that we'd give in and satisfy the urge for a new quest.
Well, the first thing we had to do was ask permission from Cheryl and Ginger. Okay, that's definitely different from seven years ago. But it should come as no surprise that these two wonderful women agreed to let us loose for a few days. Next, we had to decide where to go. We both have roots in Texas so that was an easy decision. Finally, we had to drag out the palm pilots and pocket calendars and try to work time in each of our schedules to make this trip happen. Yes, another major difference from seven years ago. We didn't have two weeks like the last time; we had four and a half days! So what can you do in four and a half days? Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but Fern and I can pack in quite a bit of adventure in a pretty short time. And that's exactly what we did.
Twelve hundred miles; a few beers and a few cigars; the Alamo and the Riverwalk; visits with one granny, two in-laws, and two Crocketts; a 'gig' at a cowboy church; a Taco Stand, a Taco Bueno, a Chili's, a Rudy's, one Hard Rock, and one Blue Rock; and finally another twelve hundred miles.
Amazingly, we found a couple of hours on Saturday to slow down - in fact, for those few hours, it felt as if time was standing still. We visited our old friend, Billy Crockett, and his wife Dodee at their home near Wimberley, TX. We caught up, swapped stories over a pot of coffee, and shared some music with each other. It was so wonderful to hear Billy play and sing - what a gifted poet, songwriter, and musician. It's an honor to call one of the greatest musical influences in my life a friend.
I guess Fern and I are still sorting out the feelings and emotions of the trip, looking for what it may or may not have meant. I think we both realize that a reconnection happened - a reconnection to the road, the music, and an old friend. It was amazing how comfortable that all felt. And that first taste of Blue Rock is still fresh in my mind. It was a 'pre'connection to a taste I know I will want again. Whatever the meaning behind it all, it brings one thought into light and beckons a tough question. A seven year span of time and music was brought full circle this past weekend. What an incredible journey! But here's the question: does a full circle constitute a conclusion, a closed ring of history? Or does it signal the need for another lap that's run harder with more experience? I don't know. And without that answer, this conversation must continue.
Overlooking the hill country of central Texas at Blue Rock
Playing at the Cowboy Church of Travis County
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