Afterglow RFT V: Return to the Hive - Day 3

 

 

Winter and Alpine were sniffing around our cabin this morning, which is a normal routine if you are a dog I guess. I wouldn't know. Several of my friends have said "What up dog?" to me, there was this one time my friend Louis Tully got turned into a dog and I've been around multiple dogs in my life. But I myself have never been a dog, so I can't begin to understand why they do things.

It was a long ride home. Always is. Leaving Afterglow is the hardest thing that I do during the course of the year. If that is the low point, then I think I lead a pretty good life. To alleviate the pain, we stopped at Culver's for some ice cream. And all of my problems went away. Well, until the ice cream was gone.

Things started off well but quickly took a turn for the worse. There's a reason that they call it gambling and not winning. Chance gets involved and more often than not, you walk away with a sad sullen look on your face. Although we both walked away with extra money in our pockets last night, lady luck doesn't often come twice in one weekend (but wouldn't that be nice if she did?). In the end I think I walked out of this joint dead even. That's not bad with all things being considered. Usually both Lady Luck and I leave unsatisfied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't thank my Dad enough for everything he does for me. I could go on and on, but I'll keep it related to this adventure. He arranged for us to be here this weekend and then he paid for everything. My Dad is always looking out for me. Thanks Pops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabin #2 gets an upgrade once every 3 years. I'm not sure when these Russian doll-style stackable ottomans were added to the ensemble of furniture, but I liked it. It's like a gift that keeps on giving. Open one up - what's in there? ANOTHER OTTOMAN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is one thing that never fails every single time I come up here - the day I have to leave Afterglow is the nicest day of the trip. One of God's cruel jokes I suppose. You can spend some time in paradise, but I'll remind you that it doesn't get any better than this. Or you could see it as God waving goodbye by giving you the most beautiful sendoff. I'd like to think that one of his angels had a part in this. Timmy always had a sense of humor. And a laugh that I will never forget. I thought of that sitting out on the dock on this amazing day.

 

One of my all time favorite Timmy pictures was taken at Afterglow. Since Kevin was playing his guitar, we decided to pay homage to it. Although no student can overtake the master, I'm sure he's mighty proud of what the student has accomplished.

Since this was such a perfect day, I had to take advantage of it by going swimming one more time. Kevin decided not to join me because he's at least semi normal. Who immerges themselves in a cold body of water in early May? A mad man I tell ya!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All good things must come to an end, so it was time to say goodbye to Timmy and Afterglow. Well until next time at least. It's so nice that I get the opportunity to come up here whenever I get that feeling in my soul that I need to be at Afterglow. Over the years I have tried to explain it, but I feel like I always come up a little short when trying to describe how much this place means to me. I've struggled for years trying to feel comfortable or at home in any given place. But there is only one place where that happens. It's Afterglow.

 

 

 

 

 

Home

 

 

 

 

After one last trip out to Memory Point, it was time to make our way back home. Even though it would only be a few short months until I would be back up here again, I tried to soak it all up. Even 60 some days is too long between visits. I've said it time and time again, but this is the only place in the World were things make sense and everything feels right. That's why I hate to leave it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We strapped the Scarecrow safely in the backseat for the long car ride home. It was a long and perilous trip that would be filled with adventure and excitement. Even though it was just a 5 hour car ride back to normalcy, we felt the need to stop and "stretch our legs". It just so happened that the stretching location was right neat a casino. It had nothing to do with our gambling addiction. These two things are not related in any way. It was all just a matter of coincidental circumstance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I got back home, my best pal Korben Dallas was waiting for me. We had been apart for the entire weekend and we had a lot of catching up to do. I started the conversation and then he bit me and ran away. This is how things go at my house. Gee it was good to be back home. There really is no place like it.

I sure do have a good time during these Rage for Timmy weekends and I hope that I keep on doing this until people are raging for me. But every time I can't help thinking that he really should be here raging with us. It's not fair. But life isn't fair. I didn't choose for life to be this way. But that's the way it is I guess. Fake it until you make it. Until the wheels fall off.