Belated Bollo's Blogspot

This past Saturday was not a particularly historic day that I know of, but noteworthy as I began writing this blogspot from Bollo's, my first blogpost from Bollo's in about 9 months. AHHH, the Organic Love Buzz clutched between my hands (ohhh yeh), gently pressing my lips occassionally (hmmmm), warming the tongue (purrr), esophagus (rrrr), and all other oral and intestinal organs (vrrr) while we shared this intimate and overdue moment. There I was with OLB, viewing the beautiful world and buzzing Blacksburg at 8AM on Saturday from MY perch at the Bollo's storefront. Sleepy on their way in; perky and overly-caffeinated on their way out. Their next stop: Gillie's for overpriced eggs, or the Farmer's Market for a basket of local deliciousness, or to the Blue Ridge Mountains, or all of the above. I know, I know, it's just a cup of coffee at a pretentious coffeehouse but to me, it is clearly more - the bestest start to what I expect to be the most glorious day. I also figured ya'll didn't wanna hear anymore pupler stories.

It was a fabulous weekend retreat to SW Virginia. I became initially excited about being there during the drive in on Friday, when the Virginia license plate was the most common - it was a "sign" of "home". Then suddenly I was on the ole Bluegrass Trail Road, near Bland, passing Bernard's General Store, over Brushy Mountain #1, through Big Walker Valley, and finally under the shadow of Pearis Mountain - then the balance that I can't easily achieve in the workaday world washed over me. I felt the beauty and bigness of God, and the smallness of me and my workaday worries. Then I arrived at Tangent Outfitters in Pembroke to reunite with my buddies, Parrish and Kerry, exchange meaningful hugs, and share our first cup of mid-afternoon caffeine.

Over the weekend I realized there is no mistaking that the trail has bound me to the topography of SW Virginia, but more poignantly, grounded me to those friends I've shared a walk, a sweat, a story, and a vista with. Pictures forthcoming.