It's amazing what you can pack into a VW. John and Dana had a duffle bag full of their clothes, a bean bag chair, two sleeping bags, a carton of LPs, a box of canned goods, a case of 8-track tapes, 3/4 of an ounce of Acapulco Gold,a bear skin rug, a Marshall amplifier, and the 57 Les Paul. They stopped just outside Cleveland to pick up a guy in starsandstripes bellbottoms, and John tied the kid's backpack to the the rear bumper. They camped in a farmer's field somewhere in Southern Illinois, where the kid confessed he was on the run from the Draft Board back in Jersey. "And now you're headed for Boise?" said Dana. The kid grinned, glancing hungrily at the cook pot full of Dinty Moore beef stew.

"Yeah. My cousin's living 25 miles from there in an old farmhouse with some people. No electricity, no running water, no town nearby. No rent." He pulled a cinnamon-paper doobie from his pack and lit it up. "And what's the attraction for you two in San Francisco?"

"John says the music scene there is ready to bloom," Dana replied, her hand falling softly on John's. John hit on the doob and passed it to Dana. "They are re-discovering the blues there," he said. "There's a place called the Avalon Ballroom. Muddy's played there to a 2500 people. John Lee Hooker and Howlin Wolf have played there. And there's a re-defining of the blues into our generation's music. Canned Heat, Johnny Hammond. Even Paul Butterfield had moved out there. I'm ready for San Francisco." Dana scooped stew into three coffee cups. "I hope," she said, "Frisco's ready for you."

***

Golden Gate Park was full of flower children. The sun shone down on the bandstand where John and his bandmates were finishing their set. Dancers, wearing rainbow colors, some clothed, some unclothed, snaked in a line through the grass in front of the stage. A young girl sat on an indian rug in front of the pa speakers, gently blowing soapbubbles into the sandalwood scented air.The last notes of John's guitar coda faded in the air, and he placed the Les Paul gently in its case. Travis, the lead singer said "very nicely done, man."

"Thanks" said John.

"I was wondering, though. Have you listened to what Jorma's been doing? I mean, he's a blues guy too, but he's got this soaring Indian raga stuff going now. Very psychedelic. I'd like to shoot for a sound like the Airplane has, or Quicksilver."

"Well, I'm a blues man Travis. I can't be Jerry Garcia. Don't want to be."

"What about Clapton, man? He's got the psychedelic sound and the blues merged pretty well."

"Look Travis...maybe I'm just not your guy."

"You need to relax a little man. This ain't New York City." Travis turned sharply and went to sit by the bubble-blowing hippie girl. A small woman in a peasant blouse, long dress, and a wide-brimmed hat stepped up to him. Her freckled, friendly face wore a wide smile, a smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Hey Bro," she said "I love your playin'!" John gave her a quick, tense smile. "Glad somebody does." She took a step closer, her face inches from his." You should lose these guys," she said. "Join up with some folks who love the blues. I'm putting a band together. In fact we've got a gig Saturday at the Angel's clubhouse." John laughed. "Since when are the Hell's Angels Blues fans?" She grinned again. "Since I started partying with 'em." She held out a hand, taking his with a fierce grip.

"Name's Janis," she said in her rough voice, surprising from such a petite woman. "You got a girl?"

"Yeah," John said.

"Tough luck for me. Well, gather her up. I want you to meet the boys."

"Wait a minute," said John."I'm not sure I'm ready to join up just yet."

"Oh that's right. You haven't even heard me sing yet." She stepped back a pace, took a deep breath, and sang in a gritty, yet melodic voice, a voice that seemed like a harmony within itself

We gone pitch a wang dang doodle all night long
All night long...all night long!

John turned his head to see everyone within 200 yards staring slack-jawed."OK,OK." he said, and snapped the guitar case shut. "I'm in."

"Tonight. 623 Grace Street." She kissed his cheek, winked, and strolled off into the crowd.