Whew! Rolled in last night after a 13 hour drive, ending 2400 miles and 8 days on the road. I left with 35 degrees and snow at my house, drove through a snow storm in WV, and spent the night at a motel in Columbia SC before arriving at Jeff's house Thursday afternoon. He was off picking up Zurf at the airport but I was greeted by Paul and Jeff's son and soon had a cold drink in my hand. Jeff and Zurf arrived shortly after, sleeping arrangements were figured out, some other misfits arrived (and Robert and Keith bringing more instruments) and a jam session soon began which lasted until after 2 AM.
If you've never attended Chordiestock, let me say that Topdown throws one hell of a party and is a fantastic host. Friday and Saturday was highlighted by jam sessions that lasted into the wee hours, lots of great food, adult beverages and interesting stories and conversations (mixed in with a trip to the aquarium so Zurf could see some fishies). At times the porch jams got so loud I had to retreat to the yard or another room but the talent of the folks who sit in the "circle" and play is amazing. Sunday was much more subdued as we did a little jammnig then hit a local watering hole for lunch, came back to Jeff's for another jam session then ended the evening going to watch Southpaw play at a local restaurant and watch some of our Chordians take the stage during the open mic.
It was great to meet Baldguitardude/Joe and his family. As they say in KY "that boy knows how to mash then wires", plus he has a great voice. I hadn't seen Paul for several years and he hasn't lost his touch with the "twelver". Also it had been a while since I heard Beamer belt out some tunes and it was good to see him again. As always, getting a chance to sit in the "circle" and jam with Jeff, Zurf, JJJ, Topdawg, Cowboy Keith and all of Jeff's talented friends is a treasure. And getting a chance to pick some of the guitars in Jeff's collection is something I look forward to.
I left Monday and drove to the Pensacola area to visit my oldest daughter and family and got the chance to play guitar again along with my oldest grandson who graduates from high school in a couple months. My plan was to return to Ohio on Tuesday but my wife called and said snow storms were expected so I suffered in the 70 degree weather a couple extra days before returning home and waking up to 25 degrees F this morning.
I want to read my own water, choose my own path, write my own songs