Low in spirits ready to give up, a car pulls in for a stop while two girls rush the car for tickets. Ticked off knowing that the pair of girls were going to get the tickets, the guy points at me, then I realized that I knew the fellow. It was Nick, who I ran into in Yellowstone a few days earlier with the Frog's Gone Fishin' band. Sure enough he helped me out with a ticket as I quickly made my way inside the awesome venue. The large, red boulders stretch out into the sky as thousands of people dance the night away to Railroad Earth. With four more songs to go on the single set, I took in the magnificence around me as my feet moved around like never before. After the talents of Railroad Earth and a prolonged break, I took my place near the front as Yonder Mountain String Band rose out of the shadows onto the famous Red Rocks stage.
I'm not sure what it is about the music, but much like when I am alone in the wilderness of the mountains, I get filled with emotions that I would never have felt back at home. Along with everyone else in the crowd, I danced my ass off with that same smile that I have had so often since I left in March. My body vibrates, as the bass tones run through me once again, the music shouting at the earth and running through my mind. Also, it was to be kept in mind that this was now in the great state of Colorado where there are more marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks. "If you are certified with your lovely medical location, then reach inside your pocket.... let us make a cloud of smoke that can be seen from space! Don't be a wuss.. Hold it in and let it fly!!!"
Oh sweet mama, two hits and the joint surely turned brown. Followed by a reprise of Keep On Going they kept the night alive until the time came to pack up and leave the venue. After the show, I drove back to Denver where I stayed at "The Pond" where the band Frog's Gone Fishin' resided. It was yet another late night with the crew as we played more jams, had a few drinks, and found time to sleep before the sun rose about the mountains. The next morning, we gathered our gear, (which for me consisted of my banjo and wallet ) and piled into the large chevy van to head off to Statesbridge, nested deep in the Colorado hills. After receiving my wristband I sat back and enjoyed the Rock & Roll mixed with Jazz until my name was called to play a few songs on the second set. A good night filled with free drinks and food, jams on stage during the day, and long jams all night in the huts.
Leaving midday on Monday, we left for Aspen, the richest area of Colorado to play at the Belly-Up, one of the fanciest venues in all of the state. It was awesome to get the chance to perform on a stage where artists including David Grisman, Allman Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, B.B. King, Bela Fleck, Ben Harper, STS9, and more have also played. The venue also treats the artists right as we were provided with a full buffet dinner and two large boxed stocked with cold Fat Tire and Sierra Nevada brews. With a large turn out for a Monday night, it was awesome to watch the people dance to music that you help create. Needless to say, it was yet another crazy night as Trevor, Dax, and myself stayed in Aspen for the night with this gorgeous girl, Adrianna.
The rest of the band left that night after the show saying there would be a ride provided in the morning If I decided to stick around Aspen. Waking up in the morning to Trevor and Dax getting ready, they had no room in the car as it was packed to the brim with music gear, so I laid my ass back down to sleep since It was only three hours since I had begun to rest.
After realizing that I had no ride back to Denver with the fellow being caught up in some trouble in the area, I made a sign and started hitch hiking back to the city. It was yet another reminder of just how fun hitch hiking really is, as I met some great folks along the way including Richard, a criminal attorney with hook-ups at the University of Georgia if I was interested in attending the school, and Lorie, a high school principal who was so intrigued by my playing. She gave me the numbers of her son who was also an artist/musician residing in Colorado Springs. I spent a few hours with these folks as they set up to watch the 3 day bike race through Vail Pass. Over 12,000 feet high at Independence Pass, it felt wonderful to be able to enjoy the road again without a vehicle. Two rides later, I found myself back in Denver with the band, relaxing for the night with some netflix and blogging.
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