Woodstock the Greatest Road Adventure

By Thomas Hunt

Welcome to 1969. Like all families. Trips are suppose to be memorable. But when four friends take a trip from Washington to New York. It’s like a nightmare. After hearing on the radio about the biggest concert ever. But along the way. They encounter problems and love along the way.
Will they ever make it to Woodstock on time? Find out in Woodstock the Greatest Adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664173262

Book preview

Chapter 1

                                "Get your motor runnin’

                                Head out on the highway

                                Lookin’ for adventure

                                And whatever comes our way."

Was playing on the radio. In New Haven, Washington. It was spring of 1969. There was groovy music, protects was going on, and Vietnam was still going on. But for four guys. They were going to have the time of their life.

Fred was a twenty one year old, blonde hair that went past the shoulders. Fred was sitting in his Volkswagen Bus at a burger joint. Waiting for his buddy to get out of work.

Fred was eating his burger. When he heard a knock at his van. He looked out his door window. It was his other buddy. George.

George was a African-American with a big Afro. With a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He walked up to the driver side.

How’s it hanging, Freddy boy? George asked.

Fine as wine, bro. Fred answer him.

They gave a side hand clap and slowly pulled away.

So what happen? Asked George.

Waiting for Bobby. He should be blown this place any minute. Said Fred taking a drink from his cup.

Soon a guy walked from inside the burger joint and saw Fred. Then started walking over toward Fred and George. He had the mustache and goatee, white t-shirt, and bell bottoms.

Hey Bobby. How was work? Asked George. While he dropped his cigarette and crushed it out with his foot.

Work was busy. Couldn’t keep up with the orders. The more I thought I was doing good. More squares would pulled in and order. It was madness. Bobby said with a smile.

Fred and George laugh about it. Then a waitress came over in skates and got Fred’s tray from his van window. Once she got it, she left as fast as she came over.

Fred and George just watch as she left.

Yeah dudes! That’s Emily from school. Said Bobby.

The Emily! Exclaimed Fred.

Yeah! Bobby said getting in the van.

Who’s this Emily? George asked them.

Get in and we will tell ya." Said Fred.

So George walked to the other side and got in.

The old VW van started up and pulled away from the burger joint.

So who is this Emily chick? George asked again.

She is related to the outlaw Harvey Alexander Logan. He rode with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. She talks about it to everyone. Fred told George.

She talks about it like it’s the greatest thing in her family tree. Added Bobby.

So she is basically way out there? Asked George.

Yeah. Both guys said at the same time.

Fred had another half mile to Bobby’s house. When the radio had a big announcement, "Just in. We have an announcement for all you cool daddy’s and hip chicks out there. We have learn of a concert getting form. With big names like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Grateful Dead, and Santana. They are trying for more bands, but don’t think they will get any more.

The plan is the end of spring. To have these band play for a whole day. More information as it comes in." Said the Disc Jockey.

That sounds pretty cool. Said Bobby.

They say where? Asked George.

No. Answer Bobby.

Maybe we should make a plan to go see it? Said George.

Don’t know if I can get the time off. Plus with no date. I doubt it. Replied Bobby.

Plus if it’s out of state. Need some green. Added Fred.

Im going to start saving now for this thing. Said George.

Well. How much do you have now? Asked Bobby.

George got into his pocket and pulled out a dollar thirty five.

Well. It’s a start. George stated.

Man. If we are going to do this thing. We need more green. Whine Fred.

They finally made it to Bobby’s house. Bobby open the door and jumped out. Then turned to the guys. George moves from the back to the front as Bobby got out.

Maybe we should do this. Even though I have been saving for a car. I think we can make it there. Bobby told them.

Well, The Thing need an oil change. Hopefully it’s not too far out of Washington State. Said Fred while patting his van.

Well. We will talk about it later, dudes. I’m going to crash. Said Bobby walking toward the front door.

Later! Yelled George and Fred. As the van back out of his drive and took off.

As the two were driving around.

So what are you doing now? Asked George.

Don’t know. Didn’t think this far, man. As Fred Chuckled a bit.

Maybe we should make a list of things to do before we leave and a list of what we will need? Said George.

Fred thought about that. And then looked at George.

Good idea. Fred replied.

Maybe tomorrow we can get together and make the list. George said to him.

I know Bobby works tomorrow. How about Saturday? Fred asked.

I got to meet up with someone Saturday after noon, but it should work." Said George.

Just as they pulled up to a red light. They saw Wally walking by department stores.

Hey! Ain’t that Wally? George asked Fred.

Fred looked over and saw Wally walking by.

"Yep! That’s Wally.

Wally was a slim blonde haired kid. Who walked everywhere. It didn’t matter how far it was. He would walk the distance. He didn’t have a driver license, because he thought it hurt the trees. Fred didn’t care for Wally. George and Bobby thought he was ok.

Hey Wally! George yelled.

What are you doing? Asked Fred.

Trying to get his attention. George replied back to Fred.

Wally kept walking. He didn’t even hear George. From the traffic and some people walking by. Then Wally walked into a department store.

Fred and George kept cruising around until it started getting dark.

If you want. You can take me home. George told Fred.

Fred started driving toward George’s house.

When they got there. George’s home was a mobile home. It was where George’s grandmother lived. George got out.

Hey! What time do you want to meet up? Asked Fred.

Probably noon-ish. George told him as he headed for the home.

Fred nodded as he back out of the drive and headed back toward town.

As he drove around. He saw Wally coming out of the department store. He pulled up next to the curb where Wally was walking.

Need a ride? Fred asked trying to be nice.

Naw, I’m good. Wally replies back to him.

It’s faster to get home. Fred said.

It’s also faster to kill the trees, too. Wally told him still walking.

What do you got against me, man! Fred asked him.

It’s not you. It’s the thing your in. Wally told him.

Hey. This thing is part of me and part of me is in this thing. Fred told him while getting angry.

I’m still good. Walking is great exercise. Clears the lungs of your pollution and doesn’t hurt the trees. Trees give us oxygen, dude. Wally explain it to him.

So how do the trees produce oxygen? Fred asked him.

Well. They have a soil that holds oxygen and brings it to the surface. Wally said.

You better check your information again. Fred said gassing the van and leaving a cloud of smoke.

You Militant. You think your the man, when all you are is the enemy to Mother Earth. Screamed Wally.

Fred drove home. Leaving Wally to himself. He tried to give Wally a chance. But with his ego in the trees. He couldn’t deal with it. Fred remember when he meet Wally for the first time. It was at high school. Wally argue with a teacher about electricity. Wally got kick out of school that year. Even though he was right. His parents put him in a private school after that. Wally didn’t have much friends. He had Bobby and George. Fred was a friend, but he didn’t like that he drove around killing the environment.

Fred let Wally walk to where ever he was going.

Saturday. Bobby and George was at Fred’s house. They were planning on this one day concert.

This will be great. The three of us going to a concert. Said George.

How much does everyone have? Asked Bobby.

They all dug into their pockets and empty their pockets on the table. Fred had twenty five dollars. Bobby had a twenty. In front of George. His pile consist of wrappers, wads of papers, and change. He counted the change. Which came to thirty five cents.

Fred and Bobby looked at George like that’s it!

We have $45.35. Said Fred.

That should be good. George said putting stuff back in his pockets.

Bobby just looked at George as if to say really!

We need munchies, drinks, fuel, and if the love machine breaks down. Said Fred.

Love machine? Bobby asked.

Women loved concerts. They go crazy over them. And with the van. We might get lucky! Exclaimed Fred.

How many woman have you had in your love machine? Asked George.

None. But I’m hoping to change that. Fred said.

Bobby was writing down a list of thing they need and round about prices. While Fred and George talked about the love machine.

What if one of us were in there? George asked Fred.

Just need a sign. Like a tie on the side door handle or a sign in the window. Said Fred.

Won’t the rocking give it away? Asked Bobby.

Not if your starting. Said Fred.

Or finishing. Added George.

Bobby put the pen down and looked at the guys.

Both guys stared at him for a grand total.

Well with what we need and what we got. We are 454.65 short. That’s counting for break downs. Bobby told them.

Where the heck are we going, California? Exclaimed George.

This is food, drinks, gas, and lodging. Bobby said to George.

Well we need to start saving now. Weather it’s twenty dollars or a hundred. I want to go. Fred said.

And we will. Bobby told him. Then looked at George.

Just someone has to pick up some green. More green in the pockets. Means the closer we are getting there. Bobby added.

George looked at Bobby and Fred. Who was staring at him.

Don’t worry. I’ll get the green. I’ll have so much of it. It will pour out of my pockets. George told them.

Maybe we should get together again in two weeks and see if we improved on the money situation. Fred asked both of them.

They agree and got up to leave. George headed for the door. As Fred stopped Bobby.

Maybe you should hold the list. As Fred gave the list to Bobby.

Bobby took the list. Folded it up to fit in his pocket.

Then Fred walked with Bobby to the front door.

Don’t loose it. I’m counting on you. Fred asked.

Then maybe you should hold it? Bobby asked him.

I’ll loose it or throw it out. And George will definitely loose it. Fred told him.

Bobby laughed as he and George we’re leaving.

What’s so funny? George asked.

Nothing. As Bobby walked out shutting the door.

Fred went to his room to change into is work clothes. He worked as a miniature golf clerk. He gave out the clubs and balls to guest that came to play.

With already four hours into his job. He was bored. He watched a family of four playing the holes.

Then George came by with Wally.

Hey brother Fred. Anything going down? George asked.

Just the family of squares playing. Fred replied to George.

Well. Me and my man want to play some golf. George said with a chuckle.

You know we have a plan on saving money, right? Fred asked him.

I’ll be paying for it. Exclaimed Wally.

Oh! Fred said in surprise.

Wally looked at Fred in surprise. Then paid the money. Fred gave them two clubs and two balls. The guys grab the balls and the clubs. Then left to go putting.

So what was that about? Asked Wally.

Planning a trip to this concert we heard on the radio. If we can save some money up. We will be heading there. George answer him while setting up.

What concert and who’s playing? Asked Wally.

It’s like four concerts into one. Don’t know where. Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Grateful Dead, and Santana. It’s going to be a trip in a trip. George chuckle to Wally.

Is Janice Joplin going to be there? Wally asked.

Don’t know. The radio guy was very sketch at who and where, but he was confident that it would happen. Said George putting his ball.

Wally was setting up his ball. Then bent up.

So how do you know it’s going to happen? It could be a big joke. Wally told him.

I doubt it a joke. We are going to find out in two weeks. George told him. While sinking his ball in the hole.

How much do you have? Wally asked.

About $45 dollars. George told him.

How much do you all need? Wally asked hitting the ball.

About $455 dollars.

Wally looked up at George in a shock face.

George set up for the next hole.

Wally sink his ball and walked over toward George.

You know that $500 dollars, right? Wally told him.

That for food, drinks, and gas, man! George explain it to him.

Wait! You all are driving there? You know how many trees you could kill on the way. Especially if it’s a long trip. Wally cried out.

Well, we are not walking or riding pedal bikes there. George told him. Hitting the ball for the second hole.

Wally set his ball down and waited for George to finish.

Hey! I just had a great idea. George exclaimed sinking his ball.

What’s that? Wally asked.

How about you join us.