Great Big Sea @ Clayton, NY

Wednesday, September 2. I left The Place West for a red-eye flight to Syracuse. I forgot to empty the garbage, which should be a ripe smell when arriving back home. However, United Airlines changed aircraft so bumps were offered. I took a bump when realizing a hotel stay near the airport was included.

Thursday, September 3. I called Bill early to cancel leaving an auto at the Syracuse airport. We need to work on an alternative plan both for airport pickup and if plans go awry. I arrived on time at Syracuse and Bill picked him up after his workday. We traveled to Borio's, expecting to see sailing Hobies and Collins later. Beers were bought. Collins emailed, and plans were set to visit Collins home after the beer. Then I received a call from the airport, asking if I left a duffel bag. No, I don’t have a duffel bag. Then I realized I did not have the backpack. I left the computer backpack on the airport curb! It was the airport police calling. We promised to get to the airport after finishing the beer soon. We drove to Collins place after picking up the backpack. Collins had the hardware (6 rifles) on the couch, including a 50 caliber. We checked out the firing range, AKA the backyard, and the garage. The garage had the Lotus Elise and 5 motorcycles. Lots of toys. Back to Borio's for dinner. ‘The Boys’ were also having dinner there. Teresa came over to say hello and hugs for everyone.

Friday, September 4. Bill and I met at Onondaga Park for lunch and a walk. Back to The Place East, load up the RAV4, and off to Clayton. Surprisingly little Watertown traffic when going thru Dunkin Donuts for the obligatory coffee. The tailgate party was going on when we pulled in to the hotel. Checked in, and visited the tailgate party. Saw a number of people from the Ottawa GBS trip, including Steve and Chantal O’Shaughnessy. After some food/beverage, Bill/Randy/Kathy walked over to the venue to pick up will-call tickets. After Sweet Betty (the cranky old lady at the will-call window) said she did not have my GA ticket she came up with one. Steve was there and had 2 extra reserved tickets. He also had to deal with Sweet Betty to return the 2 extra tickets; I bought 1 of the tickets and he returned the other one. Sweet Betty, what a trip. Bill/Randy worked the crowd to unload the GA ticket. No takers. We did talk to a couple looking for two tickets, so I gave him the GA ticket, and asked that he pay forward whatever Karma he got from it.

The opening act was solo and bantered about picking the wrong harmonica and not having a car. At intermission, I spoke with Amy, the person responsible for getting GBS to the venue. It took her 3 years, and she was surprised I came from San Diego for the concert. She asked the photographer to take a picture of her and me. GBS took the stage. My seat was in the next to last row in the balcony. Bill left the rest and joined me in the balcony. GBS was great. In the last part of the concert, I discovered the rest were in the second-row center stage! Gave Bill a hard time about leaving that for being in the balcony. GBS came back for two encores, with the last encode acapella without microphones. Worth the trip.

View from my seat

View from Bill's original seat

Met most of the party at the nearest bar for a couple of Tangueray and Tonics ($4 each!). Then went back to the tailgate. At the tailgate, some of the party joined us and said that Alan Doyle was at the other bar. I grabbed the GBS poster, and Kathy/Bill/I walked to the other bar. Alan was there but in deep conversation with 2 attractive women – surprise. Steve and Chantal showed up, and Chantal volunteered to get the poster signed. She obviously had more balls than me. Alan also signed Chantal’s hat. Back to the tailgate, and wrapped up the evening at about 2am.

Chantal, Alan and me

Saturday, September 5. Rain in the early AM. Breakfast across the street for Bill/Randy/Steve/Chantal. Then back to pack followed by walking the village. Pretty village, but Bill pointed out the reality of being good weather for just 2 months of the year. Said our goodbyes and traveled to Syracuse. Napped when back home. Tracy and Andy left a message saying they were at the Park. I left to join them for a park walk, leaving Bill for more beauty sleep – and it didn’t work. The decision was to go to Wegmans for grilling stuff and another feast at Bill’s. Chris joined us. Way too much steak and wine, as usual.

Me, Bill, Tracy and Andy

Sunday, September 6. Breakfast for Bill/Randy/Tracy/Andy at B-Ville diner, then a walk around Beaver Lake. Pretty day. Apparently upstate NY hasn’t had many of those. Back to The Place East, and Tracy/Andy parted ways. We worked on Bill and Chris’s computers for 2 hours. Then Bill and I traveled to visit Wendy/Gordon. Hugs from everyone when met at the door, including Mesi (who I just met). We grilled pizzas for dinner, and Wendy made incredible chocolate cakes for dessert. A bonfire was started and Mesi went to bed. The boys retired to the treehouse and the adults talked for another hour.

Christopher, me and Mesi

Monday, September 7. 5:30am flight so the day started early. Back to the garbage that has been ripening for the past few days.