chapter 360

Woodstock

going Hippie

8/20/2014

We bad. Ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more. College buddy Pete and I back to Woodstock to capture it's essence. These two were middling refugees and survivors from the bygone era of hippiedom. OK, I start with the cliche tourist photo op, but this is an artist community and we are in an interactive sculpture. Can't you feel the vibe. The sculpture gives the peace sign, and a little bit of a one finger salute. The pump don't work cause the vandals stole the handle. 

There are still old Hippies there. Just shooting on the fly with candid shots. One can only wonder his story. I'm thinking he may have dived deeper into that crazy time warp of the 60's. This just behind the Village Green. He probably has just pulled out one of the free books from the artsy cabinet.

Met this new hippie (from Delhi) who was kinda bummed out just trying to score some bread. We had a lot in common. He dropped outa SUNY Delhi and I served on the advisory board for the Technical Committee there. Maybe I was always more of an establishment guy. But it was before I turned 30 and became untrustworthy.

Bob Dylan lived in a house within this oldest arts and crafts colony in America, the  Byrdcliffe Artists Guild and also hung out here. Will have to spend a future full day with the arts.

The primary reason we went was to hike Overlook Mountain. It has a spectacular 360 view from all along this watchtower including the Hudson Valley and River, the Ashokan Reservoir and this view of the near mountains over which the Devils Path trails proceed. We've completed all of these mountain trails along the ridge line. Indian Head in the middle. You can see far out, Man. You might not be into it, but it's a true natural high, for real.

We ended up doing an arduous 9 mile hike to include Echo Lake where we encountered a meditating monk. It was there the legs got sore and I experimented with some drugs. Dropped a couple tabs of ibuprofen acid. Soon I was feeling no pain.

Encountered this large 5 foot Timber Rattlesnake along the hiking path slithering downhill. He was a downer. The snake is long, ride the snake said the Lizard King. He was so fat if you grabbed his body your fingers wouldn't touch. But we didn't try that. Have never encountered this potential killer before. Scary but very interesting. Hard to get a good shot as he blended in well to his surroundings and kept moving. Don't step on or close to them and you are alright, I think.

You can peace out in the KTD Buddhist Monestery ; it's a real turn on.  Paid my respects to the Buddah and did my meditation. There is a strong Tibetan influence in the village. Met a martial arts guy who had actress Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction) attend his class there. It was her father, Robert the first American Buddhist Monk (who later married Timothy Leary's ex- tune in, turn on) who brought Buddism to this region. No plastic Jesus's here, man.

Relaxing Chinese lunch at the Little Bear Cafe on Sawkill Creek stream side in nearby Bearsville. Every breath we drew was Hallelujah. Had wanted to visit the Bearsville Studios where Jeff Buckley recorded this beautiful spiritual song Hallelujah in 1994. It's rock genius. Tragically he accidentally drowned two years after recording it, but it was another twelve years before it hit the top 10. This is a day after seeing Theresa Caputo and I'm still feeling the spirits.

It was Al Grossman who was the kingpin creating the empire here with a recording studio, theater etc. He signed Dylan,  the Band, Paul Butterfield et al. The Youtube playlist for Bearsville is historic. The Old Grey Whistle test is a 1 hour BBC documentary time capsule.

David Bowie, super models, and mucho other celebs are attracted to this area.

We visited picturesque Mill Stream where the hippies used to swim naked. Just some fat tourists from New Jersey there on this day.

In 50 years cuz Lyle will be buried here near The Band's Rick Danko and Levon Helm. Do you know where you'll be?

There's a 40 year old cool psychedelic candle at this store on the main drag. It's a trip.

Eclectic with many colorful and some freaky characters in town; pretty groovy. This dude has been around the block a few times. Here planning trip details to the outer banks, NC. Nearby there is a street performer on guitar and a group protest for Homeless Landowner Rights while watchin out for the Man. Can ya dig it?

Tour Woodstock sometime but try not to be a tourist. Ain't no big thang and if you don't expect much you won't be disappointed. 

moral: Savor the Moment.

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