Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Hippy New Year!
I arrived back in Chicago yesterday afternoon. It was an intresting and short trip home to say the least. After fighting through problems with my Jeep, I arrived at my dad's home in Tennessee on Friday around 10:30am. After a visit to Pal's for some cheddar rounds, Andrew and I were on our way to Asheville to see an amazing show for NYE. It was my first time at the Grey Eagle, and we were both very pleased to find out that they serve some very good burritos and other food, as well as many kinds of beer. The place was completely packed with hippies and hillbillies. I must say, if you ever get a chance to see Larry Keel, The Biscuit Burners, Sassagrass, or Acoustic Sydicate you won't be disapointed. The music started at around 8pm, and we left at about 2:15am and they were still jammin' strong. My mind was blown.
The next morning we drove back to Johnson City along the new interstate that connects the two towns. When I first lived in JC, it took at least two hours to get to Asheville, but with the new road it takes less than one hour. I dropped Andrew at his humble abode and drove on to my Dad's cabin. His sister and her husband had driven down for the weekend as well. We all sat and watched to first half of the Cotton Bowl together before I went and took a nap to try and recoup from the night before. That night I sat down to dinner with my family for the first time in over a year. We had cabbage and black eyed peas to bring us luck in the new year. I felt pretty lucky already.
On Sunday I got up and went to church with my dad, Karen, Aunt Ann, and Uncle Gary. After church we all went out to eat, and then I hit the road for Cincinatti. As I drove away from my dad's, I got a feeling I hadn't gotten in years. It was like when I used to have to leave grandma's after Christmas. I didn't want to leave, and I almost turned around to stay for just one more day.I didn't though. I cried a little as I crossed over Jellico mountain into Kentucky, and I soaked in the last view of the mountains I would have for months. It was beautiful. Then it started raining. Nice timing.
It was very nice to see MB when I got home. I missed her. I think I see now that she won't come with me when I leave this place. It hurts, but I know that it is probably right. Probably. It is a hard thing to think of.
The next morning we drove back to Johnson City along the new interstate that connects the two towns. When I first lived in JC, it took at least two hours to get to Asheville, but with the new road it takes less than one hour. I dropped Andrew at his humble abode and drove on to my Dad's cabin. His sister and her husband had driven down for the weekend as well. We all sat and watched to first half of the Cotton Bowl together before I went and took a nap to try and recoup from the night before. That night I sat down to dinner with my family for the first time in over a year. We had cabbage and black eyed peas to bring us luck in the new year. I felt pretty lucky already.
On Sunday I got up and went to church with my dad, Karen, Aunt Ann, and Uncle Gary. After church we all went out to eat, and then I hit the road for Cincinatti. As I drove away from my dad's, I got a feeling I hadn't gotten in years. It was like when I used to have to leave grandma's after Christmas. I didn't want to leave, and I almost turned around to stay for just one more day.I didn't though. I cried a little as I crossed over Jellico mountain into Kentucky, and I soaked in the last view of the mountains I would have for months. It was beautiful. Then it started raining. Nice timing.
It was very nice to see MB when I got home. I missed her. I think I see now that she won't come with me when I leave this place. It hurts, but I know that it is probably right. Probably. It is a hard thing to think of.
// posted by Justin @ 7:47 AM 
