Phil Lesh and Friends in Columbus, OH

Last Thursday I went to Columbus, Ohio with Jen, Chad, and their friend Jamie to see Phil Lesh and Friends. It was a little gloomy on the way there, but we got lucky and it cleared up just in time for the show. We were worried for awhile, and heard that the show had actually been cancelled at one point due to the weather, but by the time we got to the venue, the show was back on. We did miss the opening band, The Levon Helm band, but they only played three songs before the venue was evacuated. So, I'm glad we missed the mess with all that. I would have liked to have seen them. Levon Helm was the drummer for "The Band." I was hoping to hear "Up on Cripple Creek" or "The Weight." Those are a couple of my favorite Band songs.

Here's Jamie, Chad and Jen inside the back of the venue. That was where everyone was waiting for the gaits to the lawn to open back up. I saw Steve Sweney from Ekoostik Hookah while we were in there, but didn't talk to him then because I got shy for a second. I wasn't shy when I saw John Mullins or Eric Lanese though. I'm never shy with Eric. There's just something so powerful about Sweney that makes him a little intimidating. But, it was still cool to see him hanging out playing the role of a fan just like me instead of playing the big star.We all had so much fun after we were able to go out to the lawn. We ran into a mutual friend of ours named Brian, and hung out with him for the night. Jen, Jamie and I danced all night long. I got along really well with Jamie. She was tons of fun!! It's always nice when you get along with the stranger you're gonna have to sleep in the same bed with for a night :-)
I ventured up to the front of the stage for a song or two hoping to get close enough for some decent pictures. The pictures just turned out so-so, but I had a blast up front while I was getting them. It always helps to be a female in a skirt.....the guys will just push you in front of them until....before you know it, you're standing front and center. So, I danced with a few strangers, found a couple familiar faces, said hi, and headed back to the lawn to meet up with the rest of our crew.

I really wish I could have gotten a few more pictures of Phil, but at least you can see his wrist band in this one. That ugly thing is one of his trademarks....and we all love it!!!

This show was the first of three for me last week. I saw Phil on Thursday and Ekoostik Hookah Friday and Saturday. Since I was planning on driving Friday and Saturday, I took full advantage of Chad being our designated driver. I enjoyed several glasses of wine trhoughout the evening....so many that I lost count. So, I had a blast to say the least. The picture above is definitely AFTER all those glasses of wine :-)

Next up............the rest of my weekend!!!!