Finally get to comment on this thread based on really being at TBG.
Arriving in Telluride really late at night and being lost. Creeping into our condo and collapsing. Waking up the next moring and poking my head out the door on Main Street. Seeing THAT view for the first time…walking into the campgrounds and everyone saying hey. Getting slightly lost and finally finding some familiar faces…the big smiles, th excitement, the nervousness.
Hearing the music, chilling in the sunshine. Meeting and greeting new friends.
Going to Firstgrass and being blown away by the sound, the friendliness. Having complete strangers say " hey, you are Australian fan". Sharing a tarp with new friends. Lots of smiling.
Long talks with folk from every part of the States.
Dancing in the dust to Greensky. Throwing marshmallows at Yonder. Hearing Bela Fleck for the first time. Realising how great Hot Rize is. Getting my groove on to the Punch Brothers. Being blown away by the depth of talent in your country.
Realising that I could do three days nights of Festival and Nightgrass and still be awake. And sunburnt.
Eating the fabulous dumplings. Hugging great new friends at the end, so sad tat it was over.
In 2004 I went to the Festival from UK as I was awaiting radiotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer and it was one of the highlights of my life. My son and his girlfriend are treating me this year to a return visit after I recovered from acute pancreatitis. Seems to be a theme here!
I will never forget walking into the park for the first time, seeing the mountains in the background, feeling the excitement, securing a patch of grass, and then there was Jorma Kaukonen (R.I.P) opening the proceedings. One of my favourite all time guitarists played a blinding set of acoustic blues. Awesome
I don’t think I missed a minute over the entire weekend and I hope not to this coming June
My birthdays almost always lands on TBF 6/21. One year as we were making the treck my husband asked, “what would you like for your Birthday”? I replied, “to meet as many new folks as I can”. We lived at 9300 ft on a mountain and I was ready for banter and tomfoolery, to get a tad reckless no driving involved. Free to be just me! :medal
So on my Birthday I arrive at the tarp and they had a huge cake and posted a happy birthday sign and I met tons of folks that still call me by my name. Very sweet!
However this one beautiful women stood up and said YOU ARE MARRIED TO A YOUNGER MAN ! ME TOO! I was a little embaressed and sat down.
The next year I look behind me and 20 guys and gals were dressed like Cougars!!! :lol
WORK IT! :medal LOVE IT!!! :medal
And they still dress like cougars today. Look for them! :lol :medal
For me alone, just for me. This Fest in my mind was created, just for me.
It’s
the music
the air
the smiles
the reaching out
the reaching in
dancing in the rain
Sunday Gospels
shareing my tarp is a renewal of me feeling safe in a crowd and that it’s ok to smile and be open
Kinfolk in like mindedness
all moving to the same beat.
If you waste Fest days be it by the river fully aware of whats goin down. Special sauce all around you.
So many memories simply revolve around the smile, hug, or handshake of a friend or stranger. Some of the best times have been with people I have no idea who they are. Others I might not actually remember with people I am glad to call friends. Quite a few around my kids.
from the last few years
-R.A.M. last year for the singer/songwriter/troubadour set…Mark is up and breaks into “I saw Jesus on a t-shirt at Walmart the other day” and everyone started laughing…and replies “awwwwww C’mon people…this is a serious song”…
-swanders epic take down at Steamboat when he thought he could jump into that bears arms
-lil’ smokies @ cascadia last year after the Lake Street SOH late night
-tcp (admittedly this is a recurring one)
-sol playing song after song being called out till the sun came up
-watching WorldCup games at the Brown Dog (Copa this time around!)
-stuart & noam @ elks park
-the concessions running out of beer, booze, and pretty much everything at the Palm during Greensky
-knocking back a few at TBC
-syrup (also a recurring one)
-bathhouse picks
The very first time I went to Fest, on the fly. No money, no ticket, no sleep. Sitting by the river short on cash for a ticket and wanting so much to be on the other side of the river…with my people. I felt the kinship immediately.
It is truly an experience. A Fest experience your whole being gets renewed… :cheers
I love this place, the people and the music. Thank you PBG for all the great memories. :medal
In those days PBG had Security on horseback that would patrol…I thought at first, I’ll swim that river! LOL! I studied the river for the longest time. LOL! I had little cash so desperate times…
We had some tequila and thought about it for awhile and we came up with a brilliant plan. :lol
We belly walked and laughed the entire way pass the security horses and as soon as we stood up we were escorted out like heathens! :lol Real story. I wish Ferg had a pic of this.
On Sunday we were let in and not only that the pit boss let us in as well. :medal Love my people! :cheers Fan for life.