Spring Break 2014

Gather around, children, let me tell you a tale.

This is the story of spring break 2014.

"They are not long, the days of wine and college beach parties" - Ernest Dowson

The tale starts in January, when I decided it would be fun to take a college course to pass the time. Naturally, this college had spring break in March, so two of the five precious days of my parole were spent getting up at 7:00 AM for a 8:00 AM college class. This, combined with my siblings' school being out the previous week meant no family vacation to the beach.

This would not stop me from having an amazing spring break! No, this was only a challenge, for bigger and better spring break plans.

Easter Sunday was the official kick-off to my exciting week. I actually attended church. I had the unique distinction of being the only female under 60 wearing a hat. 

Quite charmingly, too

I spent the night at my grandmother's house. On Monday, I helped her clean out her attic. I have never seen so many vintage Christmas decorations and 70's clothes. We filled her entire car with things that needed to go to Goodwill. For my assistance I got $40 and two of the best, most tacky Christmas sweaters I have ever seen. I will forever treasure them for themed parties.

On Tuesday, I had to endure the endless blathering (by endless I mean 1 hour and 15 minutes) of my Western Civilization II professor. He enjoys referring to his unemployed 30 some year old son as a "little shit" and his son's girlfriend as "that hussy." I think he has some unresolved family issues. In the afternoon, I went to a local park. I began volunteering with a local charity, Angels In Need, that pairs "normal" teenagers with special needs children, in a buddy system, and they do activities on a regular basis. I met my buddy and his mother at the park, and spent an hour and a half playing with him. And by playing, I mean chasing him as he tried to escape the confines of the playground, and pushing him on the swings. It was fun! And that is honestly not sarcasm.

Wednesday was a big day. I had arranged with my little sister to take her hiking in Stone Mountain State Park to see the waterfalls. We woke up early, and hiking shoes and backpacks on, headed for the mountains. We walked down hundreds of stairs only to spend two minutes enjoying the largest of the waterfalls. She was ready to move on. 

Boring!

We then proceeded to hike to the two other waterfalls, all before lunch. Along the way, I learned that my sister was making a rock collection. This meant that I had to lug multiple chunks of granite around in my backpack. On our way to one waterfall, I had to take off my shoes and wade across a stream, carrying my sister. The water was frigid against my bare feet. 9 year old children are surprisingly heavy. At another fall, we discovered a ledge of about 2 feet wide, covered in water and occasional clumps of moss. We naturally had to inch along it, claiming to be Indiana Jones himself.  As we made the arduous hike back to the car, my sister probably vowed never to let me choose the hiking route again. We finished out the day relaxing with a picnic at the Homestead, and people watching the others who had spent their day enjoying the beauties of nature. 

The glories of nature

Oh yes, Wednesday was also the day I discovered I had allergies! This discovery took place in the large rash that spread across my upper thighs and buttocks when I got home. It was not poison oak or ivy, and I still do not know what caused it. I only know that I had to sleep on my stomach for the next few days.

Thursday morning, I woke up for my college class in pain. The rash was crusty and inflamed and painful, and walking was a challenge. I am a sissy so I made the executive decision to go back to sleep. I spent the day lying on my stomach, complaining about the rash and attempting to come up with witticisms based on my last name (which happens to be Rash).

Friday was the big day. The rash had relinquished power, and I could walk normally. I was all set to get my hippie on and go to MerleFest. Old Crow Medicine Show was appearing, and I simply had to see them live. MerleFest 2014 did not disappoint. I went with me myself and I, but I didn't mind, because I could see exactly who I wanted to see and was able to set up camp at the front of general seating. I ate redneck Thai food. I stalked Ketch Secor after he made an appearance with another band a few hours before the OCMS showing, and forced a grouchy security guard to take my picture with him. I listened to a lot of banjo picking. I took a nap. And then, the glorious moment came. Old Crow Medicine Show was live. And they were amazing. I danced embarrassingly and sang along with Wagon Wheel and Caroline. I discovered the limitations of a phone camera at 9:00 at night. I bought an overpriced t-shirt to show my new-found unconditional love for the band.

ROCK ME MAMA

It was a glorious concert.

And thus ends my tale of spring break. It was a spring break full of learning. A spring break full of mountains. A spring break full of uncomfortable rashes, bluegrass music festivals, and tacky sweaters. A spring break of stories. A spring break off the beaten path. A spring break without beaches and tans. A spring break no one wanted to hear about the next week at school. A spring break I thoroughly enjoyed.