Adventures with Phish or how love can save the world

So my intentions for this weekend with Phish were to try and be as open to the experience as possible and to keep the love channel tuned in at all times.

First revelation #1, it came out in a "discussion" while we were getting our gear ready and packed that my partner in this world does not think that I focus enough "effort" towards the housecleaning aspects of our life. Aha! So that was really nice to be able to put that one into the process bin and out of the utter confusion bin.

So, off we go. "Camping" would seem to be no longer available in any semblance of the word around Deer Creek. We got reamed for 50 dollars to camp at dead creek where our reservation was only as good as the amount of space we needed to park our car and pitch our little 2 man tent. Fortunately we are smiley and got just about the last space that wasn't actually IN the road, meanwhile there were how many sites that had arrived early and had so much space, but whatever.

This year we had no spring whatsoever. It ceased to be cold all the time but rained and rained and rained and rained and was chilly. Then it was 90. And humid. So we chose to ride the shuttle rather than walk the mile or whatever in the hot because the shuttle was air conditioned! Liars! So hot in there, we cooked. But finally to the lot.

During the months and weeks leading up to these shows they seemed surreal and un-imaginable. We sat down by the pond, under the tree, where we have sat so many times before but it was different. Not bad, not at all, just older and wiser and more ready than ever. We wandered the lots and waited for Kara and Thom and then they were there! And then we were in and then we were sitting on the lawn right in front of the screen waiting. Still waiting. And then there was Phish! And then they were playing and then I had to take a moment. And then it was better than ever and I was able to hook in to that hose they were using. I thought the music was amazingly well played and truly spot on as cliche as that sounds. I have not listened back yet but I am definitely going to have to check out Trey's jam in the melt again because, um, melty! And I also want to transcribe everything about that Lawnboy and take it to Border's.

Meanwhile, back on earth there was a massive lightening storm brewing on the horizon. During setbreak I asked a yellow shirt if we were safe on the lawn and they were completely honest and said "No. You guys are going to be asked to go to your cars and wait the storm out." Thankfully Kara and Thom had their truck with the futon in the back so we all piled in. Else we had no car and would have had to endure the lightening storm out doors. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my friend Kara? She is such a little gem, I feel terribly lucky to follow her around.

Then the storm was over and we went back in for the second set. Missed a little bit of the opener but it seemed like they were waiting on us. The crowd control was absolutely non existent. It was just like the Dead show at the horizon last month, it was like, the president of the US is a fan and told them to be nice or something. I was thinking then, before the makisupa Alpine experience. But really, we just walked right in after the rain delay no muss no fuss no stub no nothing. And it didn't really seem extra crowded or anything, we pretty much got our fancy spot back by the screen and everything. I think, or maybe we didn't but we were close.

After the show the rains came and we trudged around in the mud until we came to our campsite where we had left the car windows cracked and the tent tied open. Fortunately nothing was really that wet?! It was Miracle #1 or maybe #2.

Up bright and early so as not to be run over and killed and also to get the hell out of dodge and back up the road. Went to the most crowded starbucks ever but fortunately with north indy worker bees rather than hippies so I could really use the washroom to it's fullest and I left it how I found it thank you very much. Then we drove home and had a real shower and drove on up to Wisconsin where I had the best Subway ever. Got to our campsite and set up camp, up stroll 2 girls who want to share our space because the place is sold out. We have lots of space so sure.

head to the show, find the scooters, proceed to the most annoying spot and get stuck there for the entire show, make elaborate plans inside mind for making tomorrow better, lose vision for part of the evening work work workin hard to have a good time but succeeding. John was set on repeat with that dylan tune, walkin down the line, I'm walkin down the line, I'm walking down the line, my feet'll be flyin to tell about my troubled mind.

Day 3 last day. We get up and our camp mates turn out to be nice folks, the one girl did a yoga class for those of us who wanted to which was really just what the dr. ordered. Then she proceeded to set up her massage chair and do that for everybody, then her buddy gave me 2 necklaces for the girls which I had also intended to get in the lots but there was NO VENDING AT ALPINE.

So we head to the show. Today there is to be no messing around I wanna be in front. We head to the front of the lawn and stake out our little space and it was an amazing evening. Our space was magical.

Several more miracles later and we made it home in one piece. Clocks are completely reset.

woohoo