John restored

Marking the beginning of the end, I entered the south today, or at least Virgina. I caught up with Dan, a long-time friend from high school as well as his fiancée, Ann. As many before, they were incredible hosts. We chatted, reminisced and even managed a game of Stratego with accompanying scotch. Scotch is a drink of incredible complexity, although it does carry a hefty price tag. Most 12-year single malts begin at $50 per bottle and the older bottles can easily break three-digits. I personally prefer scotch to wine for a few reasons. First, scotch holds. You can open a bottle of great scotch and drink it over the course of several months, sharing the taste with long-time friends or saving it for special occasions. In contrast, wine turns to vinegar. Second, scotch is not an easily acquired taste. On first sip, it generally tastes rather acrid and unapproachable to the casual drinker. As one gets used to the strong taste of straight scotch, however, the woody, earthy, smokey, sweet and sometimes seaside flavors blossom. It's a sin to mix single malt scotch with anything but a little water. Finally, scotch is a drink for old men. You have to be a little dirty to drink scotch, and as you can see from my beard, John has gotten a little dirty in the past month.

Thirty-five days of beard growth take about an hour to shave. As you can see from Dan & Ann's guest bathroom, I kept a record of the event by styling my facial hair throughout. My favorite is the third picture. This is what John would look like if evil. Finally as you can see in the final picture, the John we knew has been restored.

Stories of rebirth and restoration have been with us a long time (see Phoenix). On my road trip across this great nation, I am reminded that this same desire is what originally drew many settlers and immigrants to America. Puritans looking for a new place for religious freedom. Italian and Irish families escaping famine and poverty. Asians, Mexicans, and many others looking for the opportunities to provide their children which they never had. In America, it is possible to move, to reinvent, to work hard and to achieve a better life. It's not predestined. It's not assured. But it is possible, and the hope makes a lot of difference. People can achieve some great things with the possibility of hope. I've even heard one man call hope audacious.

Miles driven: 7,780

Poker update: I think it's over. Looks like down $650 or the trip.

Quote of the Day: "Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix” - Christina Baldwin