Dave Matthews Band or Bust!

(A little warning - this post is picture heavy!)

We made our annual pilgrimage to the Gorge (located in George, WA... I just like saying that) to see one of our favorites in concert, the Dave Matthews Band. Each year over Labor Day weekend, DMB comes to the Gorge for a three day concert run. The Gorge is in the middle of nowhere (pretty close to the smack middle of the state) and is probably the most beautiful concert venue around. The stage sits up on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge and the rolling hills of Central WA surround. Because it is in the middle of nowhere, there is also a campground attached to the amphitheater. The campground is simply a farmer's field that he has rented to the Amphitheater - and this guy is making a KILLING on renting out his land. There are no frills here, just a big field and some outhouses. But that's part of the experience is camping and hanging out before/after the concert.

Ready to pull out of Kingston (our new Escape pulled the trailer like a dream) -

This year, we borrowed Mom & Dad's teardrop trailer so we could avoid sleeping on the lumpy ground in a tent. We loaded up on Thursday and headed out Friday right after work. We only went to the Saturday night concert, so we weren't in a huge hurry. We found some nasty weather on our way over, but it cleared up on the East side of the mountains.

Rainbow in Auburn - We met up with our friends Mike & Elaine (see Walla Walla blog post) and two of Elaine's friends. They were at the Friday night concert when we arrived, but we found their VW bus and setup camp. After we finished setting up we got to kick back, relax and listen to what we could hear of the concert. (Side note - Chris is in love with this teardrop trailer. He had the happy grin all weekend).

Camp -
Saturday morning we woke up and all pitched in to make a big 'ol camp breakfast. Nothing beats camp coffee and a hot breakfast when you're outside. We lounged, went for a long walk and played lawn games until it was time to get ready for the concert.

My view from the trailer -


No, I do not want to get up yet -

One happy camper right here -

View of the campground. It was a sea of tents, trailers and whatever else people could get their hands on to go camping. (note the angry clouds rolling in).

About midway through the day it started raining a bit. Not bad - we could handle it. Then the rain started getting out of control. It rained and rained and RAINED. If you went out in the rain for ten seconds you would be soaked. Chris and Mike did some fancy bungee work and got a tarp up to give us a little more rain protection (never mind we hauled a yard of mulch on that same tarp a few weeks ago). Notice the bungees go from the tarp to the Escape and the strategically placed cooler.

So when concert time rolled around it was still pouring. And I mean POURING. In fear of getting soaking and cold we turned to the classic standby - the garbage bag. Four of us had rain coats, so the upper half wasn't the worry, it was soaking our jeans on the walk to the amphitheater (about 20 min walk away) and having something dry to sit on once we got there. We made some pretty snazzy garbage bag skirts. They did the trick and keep our legs dry.

Sportin' the sacks -

We're Washingtonians - a little rain won't slow us down.

Mike and I modeling the skirts -

We arrived after a long (and wet) walk. Hey look - another rainbow... (strange enough, there was a rainbow on the drive home too)

Chris and I bought lawn tickets for the concert (there is a reserved seating area upfront near the stage) but plans changed when we got there. So for a short background story. Mike & Elaine have this VW bus that they absolutely LOVE. At every Dave Matthews concert they sell a poster. Last year, Mike & Elaine bought the poster, took it home and upon closer inspection noticed it was THEIR bus on the photo. The little details were just way to similar. So Elaine contacted the company that makes the art for the posters, sent them some photos and yep! Sure enough, that is their bus. Needless to say, their bus has stared in a handful of Dave Matthews posters . (To understand this better you have to know that Elaine is probably the biggest Dave Matthews fan out there). Elaine has kept in contact with the company and they promised there would be some tickets waiting for her at will call.

Mike & Elaine's bus -
On Friday Mike & Elaine got free tickets - in the 22nd row. They raved about the view of the concert all day on Saturday. On Saturday, Mike insisted that I take his will call ticket - regardless of what it was. We pick the tickets up right before the concert - 18th row! I felt guilty leaving Chris behind, but he was adamant that I take advantage of these (free) amazing opportunity (good husband). Let me put it into perspective here:

Chris & Mike's view of the concert -

Elaine and my view of the concert - (Dave Matthew's introducing the opening band, I couldn't believe how close he was!!)

I was worried that it would rain through the entire concert. One of my favorite things of that venue is the amazing sunsets over the Columbia River. Somehow the rain stopped during the opening acts and we were treated to a great sunset.



The opening bands were great - but I was SO excited for Dave Matthew's Band that it was almost torture.

Here he is!! The photo is with very little zoom. Not bad considering there were 25000 people at that concert!


The electric violin player, Boyd, goes crazy during his solo -

25,000 of our closest friends - The concert was great, the band played for almost two hours. I still can not believe the view - I definitely took in the moment because I certainly am not getting those seats again!! Chris had a good time and was excited to hear his favorite songs played.

We both have tomorrow off (yippee!) but just plan on lounging and catching up on our housework. A short work week for us, Friday we're taking off for a camp (and hopefully dive if our colds clear up) on Whidbey Island.