Friday 26 August 2016
As if I need and excuse to travel!
My old friend from High School John, was having a big number birthday party on Saturday the 27th in his backyard. Now, I certainly didn't want to miss that. Never mind that I had put in 4 in-service days already at school or, that come Monday, it'd be the first day of school.
I was going and that was that.
In an attempt to make the most of my journey North this time, I made a few stops along the way.
I headed out about 11am in order to meet my friend and former Professor for a brief catch-up but also to deliver a set of cymbals he had purchased but that I had picked up for him. What was meant to be a half hour hang turned into 2 hours of catching up. It was pretty great actually and I got to see a real NYC apartment! I would up headed back out about 4:45.
Next stop was my old pals Ivan and Elizabeth who now live in Hawthorne NY. I'd never been there so it took a little doing to find it. Also, they had theatre tickets for 6pm so our visit was shorter than we would have liked. Still, it was lovely to see them both and I do miss them terribly. Terribly....
It was a beautiful late August evening as I once again pointed the Redbaru North towards Mountainville NY. I imagine the stretch of the Hudson Valley I drove through is stunningly gorgeous at any time of the year but oh my was it pretty then. Mountains falling into the river, curvy roads, cliffs, trees, vistas. Pretty amazing. No wonder there as an Art movement based there. I swear the light was even different. Maybe that was it?
So once upon a time about 1996 or so, I met Shane Petit and he became the first longtime Tuba player in my band, the Hoppin' John Orchestra. At some point, I don't remember when but maybe 3 or so years in, Brother Shane decided to serve his country and join the Army. He became a Bandsman but took to the repair bench like a duck to water. Now, all these years later, young Shane has a wife and son and 3 up and 3 down. A Master Sergeant. I'm very proud of him.
Even though we chat occasionally via Facebook and email, I hadn't laid eyes on him in years. He lives very near West Point where he is now stationed on the side of Shunnemunk Mountain. His house is on a bucolic stretch of country road and he was kind enough to let me crash in his guest room that night. We headed out to The Hop in Beacon for burgers and craft brews. It was just what was needed after a long day of driving. It was really fantastic to catch up with Shane. He has done very well for himself and had many adventures since last we saw each other.
He remains a lifelong friend and righteous dude!
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| The view from Shane's porch over a cup of Joe |
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| The Black Eyed Peas Brass Band 1996....that's Shane on the right! |
As if seeing, Lewis, Ivan, Elizabeth and Shane were not enough, the next morning, over breakfast, Shane and were to met up with a long-lost Brother-from-another-Mother, My old partner in shenanigans, the great Douglas Richard. Now I have said before that the older one gets, the less likely it is that one will meet someone the lies of whom they've never encountered before.
1997, when I met Douglas, was one of those rare times. I still don't know anyone quite like him.
Douglas and I met while we were both in the 307th Army Band. We were both prior active duty and both in special units. We were also both writers and arrangers and both had/have over developed, twisted and dark senses of humor. We are both longtime professional performers. We were also both High School Band Directors at the time.
We became pals right off.
After a few years back in the civilian world, Douglas retuned to active duty, this time as a staff arranger. I'm not sure when he got to the West Point Band but I do know that when he and Shane figured out they were both friends of mine, that must have been quite a conversation! Douglas also helped me get on my feet with my Marching Band my first year in many ways. I am eternally grateful! You can imagine how excited I was to have a few minutes with my old pal!
Saturday August 27th 2016
When I say to you that he is almost exactly the same, I am not kidding. 19 years later and it was like we had just seen each other. Over breakfast, the three of us old pals caught up and talked about all manner of things. I can't adequately describe how I felt sitting at a table and talking with two very dear, longtime friends whom I had not seen in years. Both stationed at West Point, (Shane is in Douglas' section!), both fantastic musicians, both very senior NCOs. I am 90% certain that if I had stayed in the Army, I would have "jumped the fence" and gone "green to gold" and become an Officer or at least a Warrant Officer. There was much talk and encouragement of just that at my last duty station before I got out. In fact, in an effort to entice me to stay, my First Sergeant secretly pulled a whole submission packet for OCS together for me and gave it me at my going away party.
I don't think I could have stuck it out through ANOC and whatever it is one has to to to become a Sergeant Major.
Both of those fine gentlemen did all that and more.
Much, much respect to my old friends.
(Also, Douglas is looking to retire come February and I wanted to see him before he returned to "the land of the pogues.")
Also of note, on the drive from Shane's to the diner, we passed the Moodna Viaduct scenic railroad trestle which Shane helpfully pointed out to me. How incredible that you can be in the Army and be stationed somewhere as beautiful as West Point? Also, apparently, passenger trains still regularly use that. Imagine if you will, your commute to NYC every day crosses that marvel of engineering. I don't rightly know how bad your day could actually be after that.
After morning chow, we said our goodbyes in the parking lot and affirmed that we would endeavor not to let so much time pass before we hung out again!
Once more, I headed further North.
My target this day was my ostensible reason for the trip: My old High School pal John's big birthday party. I found a decent, fairly inexpensive hotel in Woonsocket R.I., drove up there, checked in, chilled out for 30 minutes, changed clothes and headed up I 95 to Mansfield MA, only 20 minutes away.
It was a beautiful day for a party.
The pig smoker trailer was there chuffing away, the sides were being uncovered, the beer was getting cold and all manner of John's local friends were arriving to wish the Birthday Boy the best. I didn't get to meet too many of them but those I did meet were nice enough for New Englanders. One really delightful surprise was to see John's cousin Mary, with whom we had graduated so long ago. We were all in the amazing early 80s Williamsport Marching Millionaires for all three years of High School. She's been in the Navy since college and is about to retire within the year I think. Amazing. We had a nice chat and caught up. I got to talk to John two or three times but as the belle of the ball, he was busy hosting most of the time. The party was called for 3pm and I got there pretty much on time but after three or so hours of hanging around and chatting and eating BBQ and sides and sipping IPAs and soaking it in, it was time to head back to R.I to sleep. I said my goodbyes to John and Pam and his lovely daughters and Mary and her daughter and literally drove away into the sunset.
Notably, not far from John's house is a beautiful lake. The sun was setting on the lake as I went by and I stopped to take a shot. It was a beautiful way to end an amazing day.
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| Nice invite! |
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| Party time! |
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| Smoker smoking |
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| Mary, her daughter and yours truly! |
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| The Party gang and the party boy! |
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| Greenwood Lake ISO 6400 f/8 1/20th |
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| Greenwood Lake ISO 6400 f/5.6 1/250th |
Sunday 28 August 2016
I headed out from Woonsocket about 7am and made it back home in very good time. I even crossed the George Washington Bridge uneventfully.
I got home at a decent hour and was able to chill out and get my head right for the next day; the start of Year 20 at the High School for me. (sigh)
It was a very, very worthwhile 3 day trip to catch up and maintain some dear, dear friendships.
I am so very glad I went!
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| 686 miles, 3 days |
Monday 29 August 2016
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| 29 August 2016 First day of School, year 20 (the morning after the trip!) |
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