Merv Does the Dead

Hi kids! Uncle Merv is here as promised by Beth, to share the story of our epic adventure back in time to the land of hippies and rainbows.

We headed out early Saturday morning, I parked at Beth's and we waited for the cab she had reserved to pick us up at 6:35. At 6:50 we started yelling at everybody, but then all sorts of cabs showed up so we picked the best one and were off! The airport is like 4 seconds away from Beth's, so we were there in plenty of time for our flight.

It was obviously much too early for a drink, especially considering the fact that we had a long day ahead of us. This was a marathon, not a sprint.

Vegetarian Beth was super excited about the location of our breakfast date a couple of hours later.

It was worth it though, because we got to hang out with this kid

"Is this a selfie?"

After a thoroughly lovely brekkie with Papa, talking about the good old days and the weird new days and sharing stories and laughs and love, we made our way to the hotel where we'd spend the next two nights.

They were ready for us

The whole staff wore tie dyes. This guy explained that he went with a collar because he's the manager. So awesome.

We hung out by the pool for a while then met up with friends before preparing to head out for the day.

We visited with some of Beth's old college buddies in a man cave for the ages, then Ubered our way to Levi's Stadium. We were trying to meet someone for a tailgate party, he had told us to look for the tie dye flag. We found lots of flags, but no RJ. Overhead, a little love was being drawn.

Awwwwww! We all watched as the little dude went in for that last line

You had one job.

How can I explain how it felt to be back there? I felt young and old and it was so familiar and easy and happy and joyful.

 
The anticipation of going in, the perma-grins all around, the colors and smells and feelings. It had been forever, but felt like we'd never left. It was like coming home.

perma

At one point when I happened to be by myself getting drinks, the sky did this

and this

and this

It was pretty amazing. People went a little nuts, looking around to confirm that they weren't hallucinating... wondering if it was a conjuring of the collective love-fest. 24 hours after SCOTUS finally made things right, 50 years after the Grateful Dead had initiated their unique brand of magic and 20 years since they'd taken the stage with Jerry, the sky filled with color and light and it was pretty fucking cool to stand under that glow.

Maybe that first show was a little rough around the edges, can you imagine being Trey? Filling those shoes without standing in his space? Or Hornsby sitting down at the cursed keyboards? It came together, though. It was old school and spacey, everyone seemed to be working shit out and by the end of the night they had clicked.

“Truckin’” / “Uncle John’s Band” / “Alligator” / “Cumberland Blues” / “Born Cross-Eyed” / “Cream Puff War” / “Viola Lee Blues” / “Cryptical Envelopment” / “Dark Star” / “St. Stephen” / “The Eleven” / “Turn On Your Love Light” / “Drums / Space” / “What’s Become of the Baby” / “The Other One” / “Morning Dew” / Encore: “Casey Jones”

We were psyched for Sunday.

Hello, Sunday!

Thirsty?

We had a really fun day with Beth's buddies, all of whom I've known for years. We sang along with the jukebox and caught up.

Hi Mar!

I thought we agreed there'd be NO FIREBALL?!

Please zoom in on my face.

We headed back to happy town and walked around a bit, meeting so many nice new friends and just having a blast together. We took more selfies

Look Beth, it's perfect!

then headed back in

I was lucky enough to be on the floor again this night, and sort of accidentally found myself in a really great spot for a really great show

“Feel Like a Stranger” / “New Minglewood Blues” / “Brown-Eyed Women” / “Loose Lucy” / “Loser” / “Row Jimmy” / “Alabama Getaway” / “Black Peter” / “Hell in a Bucket” / “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” / “Wharf Rat” / “Eyes of the World” / “He’s Gone” / “Drums / Space” / “I Need a Miracle” / “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” / “Sugar Magnolia” / Encore: “Brokedown Palace”

Read More: Grateful Dead ‘Fare Thee Well’ Set Lists | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/grateful-dead-fare-thee-well-set-lists/?trackback=tsmclip

“Feel Like a Stranger” / “New Minglewood Blues” / “Brown-Eyed Women” / “Loose Lucy” / “Loser” / “Row Jimmy” / “Alabama Getaway” / “Black Peter” / “Hell in a Bucket” / “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” / “Wharf Rat” / “Eyes of the World” / “He’s Gone” / “Drums / Space” / “I Need a Miracle” / “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” / “Sugar Magnolia” / Encore: “Brokedown Palace”

Read More: Grateful Dead ‘Fare Thee Well’ Set Lists | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/grateful-dead-fare-thee-well-set-lists/?trackback=tsmclip

“Feel Like a Stranger” / “New Minglewood Blues” / “Brown-Eyed Women” / “Loose Lucy” / “Loser” / “Row Jimmy” / “Alabama Getaway” / “Black Peter” / “Hell in a Bucket” / “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” / “Wharf Rat” / “Eyes of the World” / “He’s Gone” / “Drums / Space” / “I Need a Miracle” / “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” / “Sugar Magnolia” / Encore: “Brokedown Palace”

“Feel Like a Stranger” / “New Minglewood Blues” / “Brown-Eyed Women” / “Loose Lucy” / “Loser” / “Row Jimmy” / “Alabama Getaway” / “Black Peter” / “Hell in a Bucket” / “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” / “Wharf Rat” / “Eyes of the World” / “He’s Gone” / “Drums / Space” / “I Need a Miracle” / “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” / “Sugar Magnolia” / Encore: “Brokedown Palace”

Read More: Grateful Dead ‘Fare Thee Well’ Set Lists | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/grateful-dead-fare-thee-well-set-lists/?trackback=tsmclip

Magic.

It was over in a heartbeat, but that pulse was strong and silly and so full of love. My girl Beth? She is the bee's knees. The cat's pajamas. The top dawg. I can't think of anyone on earth I would have rather been with for this spectacular ride down memory lane. Thanks for making it happen, Beffy pie! I love you something fierce.

The Double Chins

Blurry with laughter is a good way to be.

Someone, please. Take us to Chicago?