We moved down into the parking lot scene which was packed with
alot of non deadheads looking for a rightous buzz. Veggie burritos, beer and
soda pops were being vended  for twice the price or more that you would have
to pay in a store. I was still tripping and for all I have been thru on this
day I still had lots of energy left.I started to say something and looked
around  to find that I had lost the crew .. damn! Oh well I knew were the
wagon was and planned to work my way down the main drag of the parking lot
scene. Most everybody seemed partied out and on they're last legs .. it was
very muggy out and it felt as if it would rain. I walked down the main drag
looking at all the faces walking by me in the other direction. I smiled and
reflected on todays events and how everything worked out just perfect. The
wonderous bike ride down the American River Parkway. The skinny dip fest
with my rightous brothers and sisters across from Paradice Beach. The wild
bike ride thru galloping herds of leaping silver flamming grasshoppers. The
whole in the fence just perfect for my bike to fit thru. The cosmic shower
of enternal bliss. Seeing bill Graham riding his old fashion bicycle. The
Sunset and the endless pranks I played on the tribe. What a wonderous
rightous perfect day it had been. I made my way to the red wagon to find
myself alone and beerless ... oppps .. heehee I must have been a little
burnt to forget to get me a after concert brew to wash down all the dust. I
noticed a brother hanging by the wagon and hit him up for a smoke. He seemed
reluctant. He probably been hit up all day for cigarettes. Nevertheless he
gave me a camel to which I lit up right away. I must have taken some very
long and deep drags of it becuase before I knew it it was over with and I
felt a little queasy in the pit of my stomach and my head started to spin.
All of a sudden I dropped to my kness and began to dry heave in between the
cars in hope as few people as possible would witness this wretched act I was
acting out to the amazement and bewilderment of the cat who I just bummed a
smoke off of.He looked at me with pitiful eyes and said, " You ok bro " yeah
right I always drop to all fours when I feel good :-) My gut wretch to no
evail but sweat beads were bubbling up on my whole body. I looked up and to
my horror there was the gang! oh Boy ... they had a beer in one hand and a
burrito in the other looking down at me and with a mouth full of beer and
burrito when Dale ask, " What the fuck is your problem " I turned my head
and looked at the sweat beading up on my skin and looked back up toward him
and said, " I think my skin just took a shit! " To which they all laughed so
hard bits of burrito sprayed outta theyre mouths as they staggered around me
in fits of laughter. Red blew a little beer out of his nose he laughed so
hard! After the many minutes of having to put up with them stopping laughing
only to start laughing over and over again they help me to my feet and into
the back seat of the wagon. I was feeling much better and began to giggle to
myself.The days events had caught up with me.. the long bike ride the
walking around and all the dancing during the show. Have you heard of the
straw that broke the camels back? Well tonight the camel metaphoricly broke
mine. We fired up the wagon and began the journey home but, something was
wrong. We couldn't seem to get up any speed and before we could even leave
the parking lot stopped and popped the hood open to have a look. Well after
many heavy sighs and even more profanity we came to the conclusion the the
fuel regulator was fucked up and we could only manage 15 miles an hour!
Hahaha ... we drove home down one of the most neon lighted fast food meccas
in the Sacto. area know as Arden Way with cops blowing by us like we were
dead in the water giving us the evil eye and shaking theyre heads as they
looked us over. We truly were a wagon load of freaks drive down this neon
trippy drag at 15 miles an hour singing Uncle Johns Band out loud.Fellow
deadheads would flash us the peace sign and smile as they passed us by. We
made the turn at Fair Oaks and finally home. The trip home seemed longer
than the day itself, but we made it. Contraban intacted!Hahaha ... hand
shakes and hugs later I unloaded my bike and poured into the house to find
my old lady "Judy" waiting up for me. She looked at me and shook her head
... stood up and gave me a kiss on the forehead and aks me if I had a good
time. I just looked back with a cheshire grin and said, " The best " ... and
it truly was the best Dead show ever. Better than Winterland in '73 which
blew my young mind way back then. She said, " Well I'm glad your home .. now
I can sleep " and made her way to the bedroom. I took my clothes off and
walked out into the backyard to find that it started to rain ... a very warm
light rain and I sat my naked ass down on the lawn cross legged in a half
lotus position and felt the warm drops of rain touchdown on my skin feeling
so refreshing and began to meditate on the sound of the creek that ran
behind our house slowy picking up speed and singing it's song of giving as
it flowed past on down to the Sacramneto River on it's way to the bay and
out into the great Pacific Ocean. Oooooommmmn ... I quietly chant to myself
and thought of something my grandmother once told me that I would like to
share with you. She said to me, "  never try to repeat something because it
will never be as good as the first time " and "always leave while ya still
having fun to leave a cherised memory for tomarrow" She was so wise. I hope
you enjoyed this story ... Peace/The End
 
 

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