My Dad Rocks To The White Stripes and Doesn't Care Who Knows

My father is great. We've had a good relationship most of my life. We talk about sports and books and movies and our families. We've hiked and fished together. We've re-roofed several homes together. We've traveled to New York, California, Canada and Texas together. When I was a teenager he even told me that if I was going to experiment with drugs or alcohol to come to him and we'd do it together. I'm still not sure what that means but it was cool that he said it. However, there's one thing we have never agreed upon: music. He likes classical and religious music. I like a different kind. So, I'm blown away last year when he asks me to make him a cd of my indie bands. And I'm blown away again when, two weeks later, he asks detailed questions about the songs and the bands. And I'm blown away six months later when he asks me to make him another cd with more music that I listen to. And I was blown away again last month when he sends me an email saying, "Have you heard of The White Strip[es]? I just listened to some and thought they were pretty good. Sounds like something you'd like." Yeah, I know, blown away. So I told him I know the Stripes and that I'm actually going to their show this fall. He asks me to make him a cd with their music. I do. Then last Saturday we went hiking to the top of Y Mountain. I pick him up at 7:00 a.m. He gets in my car, ejects my cd out of my cd player and puts in the White Stripes cd I made him. "These are some of my favorite songs." He went through, "Pretty Good Lookin," "Hello Operator," "Apple Blossom," and "Dead Leaves" before we got to the trail head. We hiked. When we got back to the car he continued on to "Hotel Yorba," "We're Going to be Friends," "Little Ghost," and "My Doorbell," until we got back to his house. Blown away. And just when I didn't think I could get blown away any further or more or whatever we sit down at his computer at his house a couple days ago and he buys a ticket so we can go to The White Stripes together.

My dad and me. Going to The White Stripes. Together. Crazy.

"I gotta tell you dad I'm a little surprised. Of all the bands I've ever listened to I can't believe we're going to see The White Stripes together."

"Well, I haven't listened to very many of your bands."

Blown away.

On a similar note I've been listening to Icky Thump. I love the track but don't have much love (yet?) for the album. I'm pumped to see them, though. Rock me Jack and Meg. Rock me hard.

On a not so similar note, the hike to the top of Y Mountain is freakin awesome. I mean it. The hike to the Y is hell. I hate it. But then the trail goes south into Slade Canyon and through some really cool rock formations. Then it goes through some very nice aspen groves. Then pine groves. Then some beautiful, lush meadows as it leads to the summit. One of my favorite hikes I've ever been on. I took this on my cell coming around the edge of the canyon from the Y.

I had a goal to hike Timp on my birthday next month but I'm not sure I'm going to make it. I had some trouble completing a couple hikes because my diabetic limbs failed me. Oh well. I've already hiked more this year than I have in 12 years. Yippee.