Our arrival on Friday was uneventful. I found the entrance just as Chris (Creek) called to say she was 10 miles out, so I waited just inside, before the admission gate, for her to arrive, so i could follow her to the campsite. We were lucky enough to both find parking near the site.
We got our tents set up, and I inflated my air mattress, by which time I had sweat dropping off my nose, The air was still and heavy. I borrowed a sleeping bag from Christ to put atop the mattress and covered it with a sheet and blanket I had brought.
When all of this preparation was completed, we set off for "downtown." A small hospitality vehicle came by with room for only one rider, so it took Chris on to the activity area, and I walked. Of course, I had no idea where I was going, so I just followed the road. I walked and walked, past vast neighborhoods of tents and campers, many adorned with flags and nameplates,l and colorful lights, bearing witness to the veterans' experience of the festival.
As it turned out, I had walked far out of my way, and I surprised Chris when I appeared from the opposite of the expected direction. But it was a lovely walk and gave me an impression of how many people are in attendance and the layout of activities.
We strolled past all the food trailers, reading the menu offerings, and made our choices. I got lemonade from one vendor and a dinner of pork with heirloom tomatoes and garlic green beans. it was delicious and satisfying. We sat under a tent at a picnic table and listened to a quartet of players (including Rick Willey) while we ate. When I had finished my food, I had to escape the heaviness under the tent and opted to stroll the craft vendors. It was too humid to try on the amazing sweaters being offered at one booth, so I looked them over and moved on. By the time I reached the tie-dyed clothing, I knew I needed something lighter and freer to wear, so I bought a dress. I put my presvoius outfit in a bag and walked away wearing my new dress.
Chris and i returned to camp fairly early, around 9:00. I was tired and prepared for bed. It was a long night. I don't realize how much I've come to depend on my CPAP until I have to do without it. I woke and woke and woke, and tossed and turned. The air was cooler, but still humid, so everything felt sticky. I went to bed wearing my sweatshirt, but at some point in the night doffed that in favor of a tank top. For a while I slept without covers, then added the sheet, and then the blanket. When 6:15 rolled around, I got up. After a brief time of rallying my inner resources, I put on my shoes and sweatshirt and headed to "downtown" for breakfast.
I found scrambled eggs, American fries, and sausage patties (some of the best I've had in a long time) at the CACC building. I sat and opened Travels with Charley, which I'm almost finished with, and then I noticed David Doyle sitting at a nearby table alone. He greeted me as he went to get his meal, and I invited him to join me, which he did. We had a very nice conversation.
By the time I returned to the tent to get dressed, I had pretty much determined that I would either find a power source for my CPAP or go back to GR before bedtime on Saturday. My first foray started as one in search of a hardware store in Remus. I found a health food store, but no hardware store; but the women working at the health food store were extremely helpful. The owner called a nearby store to see if they had any kind of battery that would operate the CPAP overnight and be rechargeable. The answer was no.
I had a link on FB to a device that looked as though it might work. It was offered by Home Depot, so I searched a Home Depot in Mount Pleasant and drove on that way. I needed to see the item in person and make sure that it would work. The description made it appear to be able to charge a car battery, but it said it had a 72' cord, which made me wonder whether it would function without being plugged in. I went straight to the service counter at Home Depot, with the link opened on my phone. The clerk looked it up and informed me that the item was "internet only." I moved on and found a coffee shop near the university, where I took a short break.
When I got back to camp, Chris and I decided to go into "downtown" for lunch. We reached the nearest hospitality waiting station and sat down. When a help cart went by, we asked the driver to notify someone in hospitality to come and get us. We waited about a half hour, and then it began to drizzle, but quickly turned to rain, heavier and heavier. We headed back to sit in Chris's car but spotted an awning at a motorhome along the way and stopped there to wait. We chatted about the weather and the prospects for the afternoon and decided to go into Mount Pleasant instead and find a restaurant. Leaving Chris under the awning, I dashed to my car and returned to pick her up. As we left Wheatland, the driveways were muddying up nicely.
We had an enjoyable drive. The rain never got heavy enough to make driving hazardous, but we were glad we weren't hanging out in tents.
Lunch was delicious at The Brass Cafe and Saloon. We took our time, because of the weather, and by the time we got back to Wheatland, the rain clouds were breaking up. I dropped Chris off near the Main Stage and went back to the tent to park and to begin packing up. Of course, everything external was wet, but I gathered things together inside the tent and got bags ready to go to the car.
Fortunately, the sun appeared along with a light, lovely breeze, and I got to see some friends (Tracy, Russ, and John) and hear some good music -- a Latin band, and Charlie Musselwhite -- before I packed up and left.
I took some time to get back to GR.
The next thing was preparing to stay with Kathleen this week, so I did some laundry, figured out what to take with me, and straightened up in Ruby's room. On Sunday, I drove in Mom's car to get her, and then had her take me to Kathleen's to get her car. Since Kathleen had major back surgery, she won't be driving till mid-October, and since I would be driving her around this week, I'm able to use her car.
Yesterday, I reported in at GVSU with my huge bag of music, and with Remy in tow. I met the guest instructor, got (and gave) hugs from lots of friends, and played my first ballet class in over 4 months. I had forgotten my glasses, so my music choices were more limited than they would have otherwise been; but it still was a good class. Alex Hamel, the person who formerly played for modern classes and who has taken my place in the ballet classes, sat in yesterday and today. He hired me to sub for him because he's on his way out tomorrow to his brother's wedding near Portland. I'll be subbing through next Wednesday.
I thought I'd be getting the Honda Odyssey I looked at over a week ago sometime this week, but I got a message today that the owner's husband will no longer be getting the use of a company car, and they will need the van after all. Back to looking for a good, used vehicle to take on the road. And back to bicycling when I leave Kathleen's later in the week.
I have heard from friend Rick, who is still in Murfreesboro at this point, but who has been diligently looking for another place to stay, preferably on the ocean someplace. We are hoping for a place that came up on St Helena Island on the coast of South Carolina, between Hilton Head and Charleston. It looks like a great place to spend the winter. It has a one-year lease, though, so I guess we'll get to experience summer in SC, as well.
As always, I know a few things, and more are uncertain. This seems to me to be true of all of us.
We got our tents set up, and I inflated my air mattress, by which time I had sweat dropping off my nose, The air was still and heavy. I borrowed a sleeping bag from Christ to put atop the mattress and covered it with a sheet and blanket I had brought.
When all of this preparation was completed, we set off for "downtown." A small hospitality vehicle came by with room for only one rider, so it took Chris on to the activity area, and I walked. Of course, I had no idea where I was going, so I just followed the road. I walked and walked, past vast neighborhoods of tents and campers, many adorned with flags and nameplates,l and colorful lights, bearing witness to the veterans' experience of the festival.
As it turned out, I had walked far out of my way, and I surprised Chris when I appeared from the opposite of the expected direction. But it was a lovely walk and gave me an impression of how many people are in attendance and the layout of activities.
We strolled past all the food trailers, reading the menu offerings, and made our choices. I got lemonade from one vendor and a dinner of pork with heirloom tomatoes and garlic green beans. it was delicious and satisfying. We sat under a tent at a picnic table and listened to a quartet of players (including Rick Willey) while we ate. When I had finished my food, I had to escape the heaviness under the tent and opted to stroll the craft vendors. It was too humid to try on the amazing sweaters being offered at one booth, so I looked them over and moved on. By the time I reached the tie-dyed clothing, I knew I needed something lighter and freer to wear, so I bought a dress. I put my presvoius outfit in a bag and walked away wearing my new dress.
Chris and i returned to camp fairly early, around 9:00. I was tired and prepared for bed. It was a long night. I don't realize how much I've come to depend on my CPAP until I have to do without it. I woke and woke and woke, and tossed and turned. The air was cooler, but still humid, so everything felt sticky. I went to bed wearing my sweatshirt, but at some point in the night doffed that in favor of a tank top. For a while I slept without covers, then added the sheet, and then the blanket. When 6:15 rolled around, I got up. After a brief time of rallying my inner resources, I put on my shoes and sweatshirt and headed to "downtown" for breakfast.
I found scrambled eggs, American fries, and sausage patties (some of the best I've had in a long time) at the CACC building. I sat and opened Travels with Charley, which I'm almost finished with, and then I noticed David Doyle sitting at a nearby table alone. He greeted me as he went to get his meal, and I invited him to join me, which he did. We had a very nice conversation.
By the time I returned to the tent to get dressed, I had pretty much determined that I would either find a power source for my CPAP or go back to GR before bedtime on Saturday. My first foray started as one in search of a hardware store in Remus. I found a health food store, but no hardware store; but the women working at the health food store were extremely helpful. The owner called a nearby store to see if they had any kind of battery that would operate the CPAP overnight and be rechargeable. The answer was no.
I had a link on FB to a device that looked as though it might work. It was offered by Home Depot, so I searched a Home Depot in Mount Pleasant and drove on that way. I needed to see the item in person and make sure that it would work. The description made it appear to be able to charge a car battery, but it said it had a 72' cord, which made me wonder whether it would function without being plugged in. I went straight to the service counter at Home Depot, with the link opened on my phone. The clerk looked it up and informed me that the item was "internet only." I moved on and found a coffee shop near the university, where I took a short break.
When I got back to camp, Chris and I decided to go into "downtown" for lunch. We reached the nearest hospitality waiting station and sat down. When a help cart went by, we asked the driver to notify someone in hospitality to come and get us. We waited about a half hour, and then it began to drizzle, but quickly turned to rain, heavier and heavier. We headed back to sit in Chris's car but spotted an awning at a motorhome along the way and stopped there to wait. We chatted about the weather and the prospects for the afternoon and decided to go into Mount Pleasant instead and find a restaurant. Leaving Chris under the awning, I dashed to my car and returned to pick her up. As we left Wheatland, the driveways were muddying up nicely.
We had an enjoyable drive. The rain never got heavy enough to make driving hazardous, but we were glad we weren't hanging out in tents.
Lunch was delicious at The Brass Cafe and Saloon. We took our time, because of the weather, and by the time we got back to Wheatland, the rain clouds were breaking up. I dropped Chris off near the Main Stage and went back to the tent to park and to begin packing up. Of course, everything external was wet, but I gathered things together inside the tent and got bags ready to go to the car.
Fortunately, the sun appeared along with a light, lovely breeze, and I got to see some friends (Tracy, Russ, and John) and hear some good music -- a Latin band, and Charlie Musselwhite -- before I packed up and left.
I took some time to get back to GR.
The next thing was preparing to stay with Kathleen this week, so I did some laundry, figured out what to take with me, and straightened up in Ruby's room. On Sunday, I drove in Mom's car to get her, and then had her take me to Kathleen's to get her car. Since Kathleen had major back surgery, she won't be driving till mid-October, and since I would be driving her around this week, I'm able to use her car.
Yesterday, I reported in at GVSU with my huge bag of music, and with Remy in tow. I met the guest instructor, got (and gave) hugs from lots of friends, and played my first ballet class in over 4 months. I had forgotten my glasses, so my music choices were more limited than they would have otherwise been; but it still was a good class. Alex Hamel, the person who formerly played for modern classes and who has taken my place in the ballet classes, sat in yesterday and today. He hired me to sub for him because he's on his way out tomorrow to his brother's wedding near Portland. I'll be subbing through next Wednesday.
I thought I'd be getting the Honda Odyssey I looked at over a week ago sometime this week, but I got a message today that the owner's husband will no longer be getting the use of a company car, and they will need the van after all. Back to looking for a good, used vehicle to take on the road. And back to bicycling when I leave Kathleen's later in the week.
I have heard from friend Rick, who is still in Murfreesboro at this point, but who has been diligently looking for another place to stay, preferably on the ocean someplace. We are hoping for a place that came up on St Helena Island on the coast of South Carolina, between Hilton Head and Charleston. It looks like a great place to spend the winter. It has a one-year lease, though, so I guess we'll get to experience summer in SC, as well.
As always, I know a few things, and more are uncertain. This seems to me to be true of all of us.
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