Re: What excites you about SPAC?
No shame post - a few years back i was literally having "depressed af" mood and was missing SPAC hard. I've been going for about a decade now and the charm of the town made me fall in love since the first time we drove in. I always go several days early to go to some favorite spots for lunch and dinner, golf, massages, etc. Osteria Danny and 15 Church to name a couple. Anyways - its really nice to be there early and just enjoy the town. Its quaint and charming, and really nice to enjoy when its not a mad house with thousands of DMB fans. Happy reading lol
It is a bright Friday morning. Although I lay in my hotel bed, partially dehydrated from what seemed to be an endless night dancing up and down Caroline St, the sun powerfully shines through my window, persistently inviting me to get outside. Slowly but surely, I comply. I check the weather, blue skies and its 75 degrees out. Fair enough, time to get up and hit the reset button. Cold water, clean teeth, and my most comfortable pair of sandals will do the trick. 8:30am I step out onto the sidewalks of Broadway. I take a deep breath and a nice long stretch as I invigorate myself with the warm yet refreshing gust that runs through the (for now) desolate streets of Saratoga.
As I continue on my morning stroll, I can’t help but reminisce past memories that have taken place on this remarkable street. Our first drive in, and what a drive that was. The random folks I met late at night playing DMB on the guitar on a bench outside of The Downtowner. The walk up to Skidmore. Few places in my life give me the same feeling of excitement as it does tranquility. A quiet peaceful wander into town on an early Friday morning. A warm and inspirational breeze. The calm before the storm. As you pass local businesses you hear the faint lyrics like “Sweet like candy to my soul” and “I was just wondering if you’d come along.” Shop owners eagerly place “Welcome DMB Fans” signs outside of their stores. That feelings of tranquility quickly dissipates and morphs into a state of euphoria.
Where you are at this very moment in life is a place you wouldn’t trade for the world. Two concerts staring you right in the face with amazing friends and fans. The drive up is done. The hectic last minute ticket trades are done and you are happily secured with the highly coveted seats in SPAC, one of the most anticipated DMB venues for the last 2 decades. VIP parking is ready to go. There is no more leg work. Your passion, your commitment, and all of the energy and talk and hype has finally led up to a moment where you can take in the beautiful yet uninhabited streets of downtown Saratoga. This will soon change, but for now, you are welcomed warmly to this quaint and adorable place by local patrons walking their pups and several early risers looking for some much needed good java.
Uncommon Grounds now only a few paces away. Luckily I arrive well before the masses of caffeine deprived Ants swarm in to what should be considered “The Morning DMB Embassy.” The smell of a toasted everything bagel and freshly brewed coffee is nothing short of awakening. I order, pay, and casually sit down outside and just enjoy every second, every bite, every sip. Simplicity is highly underrated in moments like this. As I sit in silence I look around and eagerly await the transformation that is only several hours away. I can’t help but smirk knowing that the highways are filling up with thousands of fans heading this way. Although my prior day arrival limits my chances of making temporary highway friends with other rear windshield “Firedancer sticker put-er-on’ers,” the time I spend observing the evolution of this “DMB Town” makes it well worth it.
And then, that is it. The fans. The town. The shops and restaurants. The infamous Hattie’s brunch and beers on tap at Druthers. The excitement of potentially seeing band members on a Saturday afternoon. The drive in to the Avenue of the Pines. That moment of eruption that takes place once the band members appear on stage.
Gone. Done.
Where did the time go? How did this happen so quickly? Was I not paying enough attention to every moment? As I fill up my gas tank at the Mobil right near the Rt. 87 onramp, I contemplate what I could have done differently to make it go by slower. I tried to do everything possible. I woke up early. I went to bed late. I seized every moment possible, yet as I stand there, leaning against my car, catatonically gazing at the increasing fuel gallon meter, I think to myself…. Just put me back to that place so special to me. Put me back to that Friday morning, sipping a coffee and indulging a liberally buttered bagel, sitting peacefully in (essentially) the only moment possible during this amazing weekend where I can actually have the power to stop time and enjoy it. No distractions. No stimulation. Just myself, my thoughts, and the irrepressible yet contained joy and contentment of what the next 48 hours has to bring. What’d I’d give to turn my car around and just do it all over again. Inevitably so, patience is a virtue, so until next time, I’ll make sure these vivid memories console the post-SPAC weekend depression that is certain to visit you several times throughout the next few seasons.
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No longer in search of a 2009 Fall Limited Taylor 414ce :)
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