Nick's Bachelor Party!!

From all over the eastern seaboard, friends flocked to Atlantic City for Nick's Bachelor party. For many of us, we were attending our first bachelor party so there were no expectations or scripts. Atlantic City had all the ingredients for a bachelor party cocktail, with gambling, beaches, clubs, and strip joints galore.

Clubbing in AC












Nick posing convincingly as "Miss Bachel-
orette"









We stayed in the Tropicana, which turned out to be a good choice. Everything you need is within arms reach. The first night we hit up some Irish bar in the Quarter and eventually made our way down to the strip club. The second night started with a fantastic dinner at Carmines including unlimited beer and wine. We went from dinner up to a club in the Quarter, still nursing full bellies. Once the food digested, it got wild. The night cap for most was some gambling, spending whatever money we had left.

Dinner at Carmines.

























The three brothers.












Nick and I

AT Hike

After living a stone's throw from one of the best hiking trails in the world for the last 6 years, I figured it was about time to take a journey on it. The Appalachian Trail comes within about 15 miles of Blacksburg, VA as it snakes its way from Springer Mtn, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine.

More meadows on the first ridge line.












The section I chose to hike was 75 miles over a period of 6 days running from Angel's Rest to Tinker Cliffs. The going was slow at first due to my massive pack and the oppressive heat. My starting pack weight was around 70 lbs and the temperature the first day was 100 degrees F. By the end, I had shaved my pack down to a more reasonable 45 lbs and was hiking only in the early mornings and evenings.

Second biggest tree on the AT.








































Although I set out hiking by myself, that did not last long. I met many fun people to hike with along the way: Wolfman, Hobo Joe, Rocklocks, Bad Dinner, Gnormal, Hollywood, and the Guardian. These are of course all trail names- a name that is given to you by other hikers.

Hawk riding thermal currents at Dragons Tooth.

























With some of my new friends, I took an evening off to hitch into town and grab a case of beer. Our ride ended up being a Pentecostal Priest who took us to a service. Pentecostal churches are an animated atmosphere to say the least, and make for a memorable experience. We ended the evening camping at a trail head parking lot drinking beer and moonshine.

Sunset at Kelly's Knob












View from Wind Rock

Bermuda Cruise

Ahhh... Bermuda. As beautiful as it is expensive. Isn't that where Merlin went in the cartoon version of Sword in the Stone?

I can see why out of the whole world he would pick Bermuda. The beaches were endless and picturesque, the locals happy and drunk, and the water clear as can be.

We swam with the fishes on a "Bermuda Triangle" shipwreck tour. Alls I can say is unlimited rum swizzles... mmmmmm...


























































Sass won the Limbo competition on the cruise. Guess the yoga paid off.















What's your liqueur face? Here's ours...


























































Sassy enjoying the waves, and looking good while doing it. I swear she could be a model, but then she'd realize how hot she is, and that'd be bad news for me.















Sunset and moon on the Granduer of the Seas cruise ship.

All Good!!!

Returning from the fairytale land that descended on the hills of Masontown, WV for a weekend (All Good Music Festival), one can't help but feel a momentary spell of culture shock from the real world. Music can allow us an unparalleled retreat into mind and soul on any given day, but when this force is unleashed for a full weekend into a sea of friendly, melody-loving people the result is a current that pulls you in by your own will. A temporary freedom town where everyone is accepted, and no rules but the golden one applies.










Amongst the almost non-stop music, there were new friends, fireworks, Spicy Pie Co. Pizza, endless beers, and lots and lots of dancing. The hoola-hoopers were unbelievable. Day and night they danced with boundless energy with skill that must have taken years to develop.

Mofro put on a particularly amazing show on Sunday with a crowd beat down by days of sun and drugs. JJ managed to pick everyone up out of their exhaustion and pull them into his world of front porch blues. His 5 minute opening to Lochloosa on the harmonica was fantastic.

Government Mule: Warren Haynes was amazing. During the show, a huge glow stick dragon snaked through the crowd.
















The Join (New Deal)


Bassnectar: He apparently had food poisoning earlier that day but still put on a sick show. There was a torrential cyclone of glow sticks that filled the air and would make anyone feel like they were tripping.









Dancing Hippie Kid With Hat









Railroad Earth









Soldiers of Jah Army









De Sol









Party people Sass, Myles, Tim, Dom