Afterglow 2013 - Day 7 Friday

This is a tradition like no other and the perfect way to round out a perfect day. Hell, it's the perfect way to round out even a lousy day. A lot of the days were lousy this year so we didn't have a whole lot of campfires, so it was great to have one tonight. Scott Moline was hanging out tonight and it was nice to be able to talk to him. He's grown up before our very eyes and it has been a pleasure following along with his adventures in school and in competitive snowboarding. I like to have a grand selection of people to live vicariously through and people like Scott do things that I'm too scared to watch, let alone try on my own. That kid is crazy.

It was pretty cold up here this week and as you can imagine, it got even colder at night. So I completely understand the hoodies and dual jackets worn by Greg Kurutz and family. I was right there with them with a hoodie and a skull cap. Everyone else was dressed like it was a fall day but that's how it goes in Northern Wisconsin. But it didn't matter. We were all having a really nice night.

Dale was the keeper of the fire tonight. Notably absent at the fire tonight (at least from pictures and a hazy memory) was Uncle Rick, the man who usually guards the fire with his life. But every missed chance is an opportunity for another hero to step forward. While he tended to the fire, the cousins gathered on the bench for a group shot. Our numbers seem to dwindle as the years go by. Where have all the cousins gone?

There used to be a rule about bringing girlfriends/boyfriends to Afterglow - you had to be engaged or in a long term relationship. I had nothing against Kevin bringing Clare and Bella, but since when did people ignore the rules? The Redbook is sacred and it would be complete anarchy if people didn't follow the rules Burt established in the 1950's when he dug out this lake with his bare hands. At the time I really did enjoy their company but I hope he learned his lesson. But that's just the way that it goes sometimes.

Pete or Scott usually gets the fire started, Dale makes sure that it keeps on going but I make damn sure to finish it at the end of the night. If you're going to make a fire you might as well do it right. Stacking the wood log cabin style is the best way to create a pocket of air and keep the oxygen flowing. That's what keeps the fire alive. That's what keeps me alive. Does that mean I think that I'm the same as fire? In some twisted way it does. I'm ok with that. I'm also ok with these goofy bag of crystals that made the fire turn colors. She must have bought them off of a Shaman or a Gypsy. I don't know where she gets this stuff.

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