One year later...back in Bristol.

Well readership of none, greetings after my multi-week break from blogging. Here I am in Boone, NC in my first year of grad school at Appalachian State University. I am hitting up the Masters in Geography Department like a hill-top kegger (upstate NY reference). When not thinking about the spatial nature of the world, I have spent much time exploring my new surroundings. Whether it is getting in the truck and driving through the hills - tunes cranked naturally - or getting on the trail, I am outside whenever I can. I have a choice roof set-up as well were I can lay in the sun scantily clad while reading about dead white geographers.

This weekend, however, it was back in sunny Bristol, VA/TN for the Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. There was a big ol' shift in the fest-going routine...I went with a friend. Yes, the solo mission was placed aside and I had a bitchin' good time. My geography compatriot Andi and I took off Friday afternoon and stayed through Sunday. She is from northern Alabama, went to Auburn, and is a super cool chika. The entire weekend was full of us walking around town, dancing while others stared, drank while judging those who passed by, and enjoying a ton of great music. We both had on the shagdar at all times glaring at hot bearded men..there were a few.

On the music front, always a good time were Old Crow, Tim O'Brian, Doyle Lawson, The Everybodyfields, and so many more. Whenever I get to be amongst the people of these festivals I get reminded why I came down to this area and why I can see myself being here for a while. Even when I say I am from New York, which is a four letter word down here, I get a warm smile. All of this makes me ache for the day when I can have that house in the hills where music always flows and where contentment is in the form of simplicity.