Part Twenty Four

  Woodstock continued for the next three days and nights. Mike thought to himself how great it felt to be a part of this awesome music festival concert. It was the first concert he attended and he knew it was one he'd never forget as long as he lived. Hippies were stoned all over the place, dancing to the music, walking around nude, making love as if no one else was there, everything was about peace and love. Veronica and Julie took Mike under their wing for the duration. He was relieved to have met the cool, hippie chicks since he didn't know anyone else except Bubba, whom had disappeared since their arrival. Mike smoked some pot with Veronica and Julie that had been rolled with strawberry flavored rolling papers. Everything seemed to have slowed way down whilst he enjoyed the entire experience. Julie and Veronica took him by the hand and they walked a ways to bathe in the small creek nearby, then allowed the warm  August sun dry them before putting their clothes back on. Upon arriving back to their pallet near the front of the stage, Veronica and Julie alternated embroidering marijuana leaves, peace, and love on all of their jeans. Time came to go home and Bubba still wasn't around. Veronica and Julie showed Mike where Ressurection Tent was and told him to wait around there in hopes Bubba would show up. Kissing and hugging Mike bye, the hippie chicks waved back at him until they were out of sight. He knew Julie and Veronica had left a lasting impression upon him as he pondered the task of trying to locate Bubba. Ressurection Tent was a sight to see, hippies were laying on cots from one end to the other. It didn't take Mike long to realize most of the hippies there had overdosed on drugs and were being taken care of by volunteers. Walking around for about an hour, much to his surprise Mike found Bubba laying on a cot at the the far back of the tent. Bubba's whole face was red and he was perspiring. Bubba raised up on his elbow and grinned when he saw Mike standing there. He told Mike he'd been there all day, waiting for the effects of some drugs he'd taken to wear off. Bubba stated he'd taken some windowpane, lsd, and other drugs he couldn't recall the names of. After a hot meal he and Mike were ready for the long drive back home. Shakey as Bubba was, Mike opened the passenger door and told Bubba to get in since he was in no condition to drive. Mike then asked some hippies to help push start the Volkswagon and off he and Bubba went across the farmer's field and back onto the highway. Mike drove the rest of the day, arriving at a rest area for a break. Night had fallen, Bubba took about thirty minutes to siphon ten gallons of gas. Throwing the gas can and piece of waterhose under the hood and slamming it, Bubba lit a joint, took the steering wheel and drove the rest of the night until dawn.

  Pulling over at a greasy spoon, Bubba asked Mike if he'd like a hot breakfast. Of course Mike replied that he would and he asked Bubba where he'd gotten the extra money to be able to pay for it. Bubba related he'd been selling marijuana and drugs the entire three days and nights at Woodstock. Mike thought to himself how glad he was that he'd not overdosed like many of the hippies had done. Bubba asked what had happened to Veronica and Julie. Mike related they'd given him their address and phone number, telling him to stay in touch with them. Breakfast arrived, Bubba and Mike ate like ravenous wolves, then had another coffee afterwards. Paying for the meal and tipping the waitress, Bubba and Mike got back in the Volkswagon and slept until noon. After rolling a few joints for the highway, Bubba lit one and began driving south through the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Opening a beer a piece, they stopped to stretch their legs and watch the sun go down as it's rays sparkled all along a nearby mountain stream.