Hey! Take It Easy...

Saturday:

We got off to a LATE start this morning. Heather and I stayed up a while after going back to the room, we watched the second airing of Larry King Live. It was all about John Edwards admitting to the affair, which had been swirling around for weeks. It's strange which details stick in my head...

I don't remember much besides all of us moving slowly and heading down to the store to grab some lunch from Subway, cash at the ATM, sunglasses, and ice for the cooler. We run into Sunny and Vinny and it seems like their group is coming to life just as slowly as ours. After a quick lunch, it's time to make the lemonade and figure out what to do with the other bottle of vodka. A few weeks before the trip I bought a Platypus water bottle. It holds a liter...no glass allowed inside the gates...so, it will be a vodka bottle today. Heather, Suzy, MMJ and I head out to the show with our cooler in tow. We are arriving a little late, so the parking was not going to be in a great spot. Thank goodness for the shuttle they'd arranged for everyone. The couple that picked us up were great and extremely helpful. I would hate to think how long the trek would have taken us if it weren't for them.

We get in the gate and the Doo Wah Riders were already on. The lawn was so crowded, in comparison to years past. Thankfully, Maureen and Carolyn were already there and had staked out a spot. At some point, I went back to the merch booth to talk with MMJ and Suzy, and ended up staying there for a good while. The vodka sours started around this point. In retrospect, probably too early in the day...

I'm standing out in front of the Ragweed merch booth and say I feel a sprinkle. Nathan asks for some help to shield the side with a tarp, just in case. Not fifteen minutes later I see a huge piece of hail (which I first thought looked like a small snowball) bounce off the RK booth. I get under the tent to watch 4000 people clamor for cover. We watch the hail storm move across the mountains...one of the coolest things to watch all weekend. Then a rainbow...and the rain come.

The merch booth sees a steady stream of customers...but I bailed the second RRB starts to set up for their show. It was one of the best sets I've seen from them in a LONG time. It truly was like it used to be. The crowd was great...and as the set went on, it grew larger. I loved every second of it. Even though I probably see them more than any other band, I still have the best time at their shows.

I may have this on the wrong day, but at some point I remember we were all talking about how weird it was to see Randy just standing in the middle of a crowd at a show. The last time I'd seen this, it wasn't the best time. Let's just say that. Anyway, it was announced that REK would be doing a special presentation. Cody and Shannon Canada walked out on stage. They are celebrating their ten year anniversary, and chose to renew their vows in Challis. It was definitely one of those moments.

Things get a little fuzzy around here...I have no idea how much vodka or lemonade I've had at this point. I do remember going back to the merch booth. I remember thinking I'm having no part of the maker's mark...thank you. I bought some raffle tickets in Travis' name. He wanted so desperately to win that autographed guitar. At this time, Take It Easy became the theme of the night. Mustaches everywhere.

...and just like that, it's dark in my mind. I remember being off to the side of the stage with everyone. Shan and her Dyrdek dance. Trying to avoid Rebs and Erica every time they shout Take It Easy! LOL Too much to drink. Sunny taking pictures. Ragweed was on stage and I remember hearing pieces of songs...but if you'd asked me to give you a list, I'd be hard-pressed. I remember having a great time though...that's something. We stayed in the same spot for MMC. I remember "Twilight" clearly. I keep thinking everyone came out for Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere", but I could be wrong.

I remember heading back up to the merch booth after the show. Still not completely aware of the injuries sustained. Somehow getting to the car. I seriously have no recall of any of this. I have racked my brain as to how we got to the damn car for days now. I have no idea. I vaguely remember walking down the main road. I think we went to Bux again. Not certain. I know we spent a lot of time outside that night. I remember MMJ turning to us, as we're sitting on the bench by the fire, and saying..."Well, I'm done." I think Suzy and I agreed and we found our way inside just before daybreak.

The following morning came much too quickly. We totally missed check-out...took a good hour to leave the parking lot (or so it seemed). We met up at the Village Inn for some food before heading on to Stanley. We weren't a very lively group at first, but then it became apparent that there was a reason we were seated in the "other" room.

The majority of the group headed out whitewater rafting the second we got to Stanley. Erica and I had other plans. I was looking forward to sleeping a few hours and getting off my now swollen ankle. The sleep didn't come, but I got some reading in. The ankle still stings as I type this. The thumb is recovering much better. It's almost back to normal. The cabins were in the most picturesque setting imaginable. The river literally outside your back door. After a late dinner, we hit the Kasino Klub. None of us were particularly up for a long night. The band was fun, the dancing was funnier, and the George Brett impression was funniest. All in all, it was a good last night in Idaho.