A lot of times people remember where they were when some one famous died. I however remember when some one famous died because of where I was. It was a drizzly day at the beginning of August of '97., my dads birthday in fact. Princess Diana had died that day. I was in Manchester NH, and Zimmy was playing up at Loon Mountain. I didn't have a ticket so it was no loss if I didn't go, right? Who wants to stand out in the hard rain that might a fall. 3:00 rolled around and I started to itch. I pulled out my black marks-a-lot and sniffed it a couple times. I could resist no longer. I pulled out the cardboard and away I went.
By 4:00 I was walking up I-93, sign in hand. Bob Dylan on the top, Loon Mountain on the bottom. I don't think it was legal, but if I ever had any doubts about legalities I just said to myself "live free or die" ( for NH that is truly an oxymoron). I must have walked 2-3 miles whe
n a Subaru pulls onto the shoulder."Headed to Dylan?" the driver asked.
"Yeah, thanks for stopping."
"Do you have a ticket?"
"No, hoping to get one up there."
"I have an extra."
"I'll tell you what, you give me a ride up, and the ticket, and I'll buy you all the beer you can drink."
We had a deal. As was the case with Bobs shows in the late 90's it was rockin'. Bobby D tearing it up on lead, feet twitching, eyes rolling. A set list from all over the place. But the night came falling and it was time to head back to the zoo. Half way home the guy pulls over. "Hey man, I'm tired. Would you mind driving?" It's a good thing he was sleepy, record time and slowing to 20 for the tolls. So I pull off at the ramp a mile or so from my house, (the red, blue, and black place). I pull over and say "thanks, the on ramp is right across the street."
"No, go ahead. Drive to your house."
Well alright. 170 miles, Dylan ticket, and a good nites sleep, all for the cost of 5 or 6 beers. Once again the thumb gods smiled upon me that night.
One car brings life, another death.
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