It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere – Part 1

Back in July 2004, my buddy Red and I embarked on a road trip to Indianapolis. A high school friend of his had gotten us 10th row & backstage passes to a Jimmy Buffett Concert. I never considered myself a Parrot Head, but there aren’t too many things that scream summer like a Buffett show.

After a four-hour drive, we reached our hotel where his friend was anxiously waiting as we were running a bit late. I quickly checked into our room using travel points as payment, and asked Red to lay down his credit card for incidentals.

When we arrived at the amphitheatre, we were pointed to the VIP parking area, and escorted backstage.

I didn’t see Buffett or the Coral Reefer Band backstage, but I did see complimentary Coronas and margaritas pouring like Niagara Falls. I quickly took advantage of the situation, and told Red he better “drink up” because we only had a couple of hours before the show started.

I must have been over served backstage because the tequila hit me like a freight train once we reached our seats. I switched to beer for the show as if that was going to make a difference.

The concert itself was a great time, but admittedly a little hazy.

After the final encore, we followed the crowd to the exits, but I somehow got separated from my group. Once I realized I was surrounded by thousands of people and had no idea where I was or where we had parked, I called Red.

He suggested that I meet them back at the exit gate, but I finally recognized our parking lot. It appeared to be about a half-mile walk through a wooded area. He said they would wait for me at the car, and I began my journey into the Indianapolis night.

The walk was going fine, albeit a little dark and cumbersome from pushing tree branches out of my face. All of a sudden, the bottom dropped out and I fell about five feet into a fast-moving creek. When I got my head above water, I discovered that my sunglasses, cell phone, and flip-flops were missing. I also had no idea how I was going to get out of there.

What would Jimmy Buffett do?

To be continued…