chapter 533

8/18/2019

Woodstock @ 50 years

you can't go home again

But we did go back. They say if you go back in time & space, what's there will not be the same as what you remembered, thought you remembered or maybe it never was. Yes and No.

I was in the Army when the Woodstock event happened and only recall watching the news and the movie on base the following summer for like $2. Was surprised they even allowed the edgy movie to be played in our regimented military setting.

Probably would not have wanted to put up with all the hardships of mud, discomfort and raucous activity for 3 days either but have always identified and felt like I was part of the crowd. Maybe I was? Colleen may have been more likely to have gone if given the chance. She has been eating up the anniversary coverage and I had to talk her out of going to Bethel. We did go to the Village this week again though, as it is a nice spot to visit and have been going there for just short of 50 years. At the Utopia Soundstage above we listened to Sweet Marie at a "It's a free concert from now on" event (for free). The soundstage is part of the legendary Bearsville Records Complex. It was a mild time and we had great pizza at the Catskill Pizza joint.

What's the point? It's OK to try going back home again. Ask any long time married couple. Sometimes, it's going back home for the first time. For example, attended the 30th consecutive Schroon Lake Folk Festival (free) for the first time ever. Stumbled across this hippie group "Patchouli" and they were just phenomenal. Please listen to the that link. A bit folksy, a bit Spanish guitar, a bit Joni Mitchell, just beautiful. I've heard patchouli is the incense hippies used to burn and maybe still do to mask the smell of marijuana.

Going back to a "folk concert" may not be what you expect and it just may be better than imagined.

The setting is phenomenal as well. This village park overlooks the lake with the public swimming beach below. I did take advantage of that after the warm canoe trip earlier. The concert lies over to the right, past the DEC public boat launch.

I'd taken my canoe down the Schroon River outlet earlier in the day just to make sure the trip was worthwhile. It was although I felt a bit rushed to get to the opening acts.

Time traveling a bit, when we went back home again to Virgil this is when Granddaughter Hazel got her first hair cut. Niece Lisa did a great job cutting but I had promised to erase her from this shot as she was not in proper attire. This beautiful Hope Lodge is the gem of my ole hicksville Virgil home. Yea, it has changed, but this facet is "better than it used to be". Mom always cut our hair so this is sort of like carrying on a tradition. Very sweet.

Another time machine item here. I take advantage of nice riding weather whenever I can. This was the Jammer nightclub my brother-in-law had in the 70's in the Adirondacks by the family summer camp. Fond memories, but now a Yoga/ Kayak shop. Interesting. Stopped in to see old camp neighbor friends. They have not changed, sitting on the same front porch talking to all the neighbors who walk by. Joanie did surprise me with some Gruyere cheese charcuterie that I had introduced her to "so many years ago", it seems.

Speaking of going back home, this old timer returns to the Mount Equinox VT Hill Climb with his 50's Indy racer. The hill climb claims to be the oldest continuously run hill climb in the country. The Vintage Sports Car Club of America organization claims to be the oldest automotive preservation club in the country. So, I guess you might say these folks can go back home again.

For me, it was my first time attending this timed event and hope to get back to it. Did ride my hog up their Equinox Skyline Drive last year however. Have visited this beautiful and close-by Southwestern Vermont area many times as a great day trip with many opportunities.

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