Didja ever have one of those moments where something odd and possibly even awesome happens, and it doesn't even dawn on you 'til afterwards? And even then, when it -does- hit you, it's less of a hit and more of a slow, creeping realization? Well, that happened to me.

I'm a barista at a tiny little Starbucks in the most tourist-oriented part of Kittery, a teeny-tiny vacationer's haven at the very southern tip of Maine. During 3 seasons of the year, we're home to a bunch of commercial fishermen and lobstermen, a few dry-land locals, and a bunch of Navy personnel from the base in town. During the summer, though, the population swells about 100-fold, and I'm used to serving up lattes and frappes to hundreds of unfamiliar faces each day.

This morning, I was making drinks as usual, when a HUGE russet-colored bus pulls into the parking lot. We speculated aloud behind the counter as to whether it was a tourist charter or someone's personal RV, but as it was obscured by a bunch o' cars, we couldn't tell for sure. A bunch of folks from the bus hopped in the door, and I found myself making a grande whole milk latte for a relatively tall (I'm only 5ft., so almost everyone looks tall to me,) older fellow with a mane of curly white hair, bright red Hawaiian shirt, and a "Guthrie Family Rides Again!" baseball cap. He looked really familiar for some reason, but I was too busy making drinks and chattering n' bantering happily with each customer I was serving to really think about it. He and the folks who came in with him were really nice, and I didn't think too much more about 'em 'til the rush died down and the bus pulled away.

During the lull before the next group of customers to come through the door, it hit me. "Um...guys? I think I just made a latte for Arlo Guthrie."

Obviously, I can't be 100% sure, because I didn't ask him while he was in the store, but if it -was- him, my day - heck my whole month - has been made. I've been a folkie since I was a baby, so for me this is entirely possibly a Great Big Awesome Thing. I hope he enjoyed the latte.

Great story Whole milk Latte mmmmm........

Turns out, he played in Ogunquit, Maine last night - just two towns north o' my store. So maybe I'm not going crazy after all!

I've made him whole milk latte's at the Guthrie Center...he does like 'em..!

That is so cool! I bet it was him! I love lattes too. And cappucinos. Yum...

Rumor has it that the Guthrie Clan is REALLY on a nationwide Starbucks tour. The concert tour is just a cover and a means to finance the Starbucks tour.

Good way to stock the front counter with RSR product too. Why do I never hear Arlo at Starbucks? That's got to change.

Len, I totally agree with you! Arlo, if you read this, you've totally got an open invite to play at my store any day.

Larry - the X-files were right...the truth IS out there! Don't say anything too loud; you don't want to alert the entire Nation of the Green Apron, do you? The secret would be right out in the open, then.

Sue...ah-ha! My hypothesis is -this- much closer to being proven!

Mizzkyttie, the Hawaian shirt was a dead giveaway; you served the Alan Moon entourage!

Glad to hear from someone from Kittery, and I think you're saying that the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is still active. My son was born in the Naval Hospital there on 12/1/67, when I was stationed at Pease AFB across the river in Portsmouth, NH.


mikey

http://theark.org/October_2010.html

Arlo is scheduled to play two nights at The Ark in October. Himself is in luck, as there is a Starbucks a few doors down from The Ark.

For those, in the surrounding states, seeing Arlo at The Ark, is well worth the drive. The Ark is a venue with not a bad seat in the house and great acoustics.

Sassy Lassie

He'll be there if there's a Starbucks in the area. Right Ar? There's one in Richmond probablyt more than one but the one I am familiar with is at Willow Lawn shopping center. Micky D's has some really good sugar free cappucino. Yum...

Not all the seats are great at the Ark, but the sound is perfect any where you sit. Plus it's a non-profit place.

I think they only problem with the ark is that they only let in two of each species, so you better get your ticket early.

In that case, if there are an EVEN number of Blunderites, we could all go

They probably bring them in two by two at a time. So get there early before the flood comes.