Vacation - Part Two!

Sorry to keep you all waiting on the second installment of my vacation. This week a cold set in after our wild adventures and I haven't had much energy to do much - not even blogging! Sad. Nevertheless, I am on the mend and feeling better. Minus the constant hacking, I really do feel much better. Phew.

Okay, back to round two - Labor Dave Weekend! This one is a little long, but so worth it. Hang in there with me.

 Last I left you readers, we were on our way to a weekend of Labor Dave - a full weekend of friends, camping and Dave Matthews Band. If you haven't seen them live, it's a must. Even if you've never heard of them (if you haven't, have you been hiding under a rock?!), check them out. Seriously. Once you do, you'll be hooked. Just saying. Okay, back to our trip. The captain, Scott and I left Oregon bright and early Thursday morning and took the trek up to Washington. Since the drive is about five hours long, the captain thought it would be a good idea to put my new traveling crock pot to work. Of course I couldn't say no. Who can say no to making peach cobbler in the truck while you are driving? Not me. I whipped up everything for the cobber right before we left (thank you Barb for all the last minute supplies!) and we were off. The cobbler was plugged in and cooking away. It was probably within an hour we started to smell the peaches! After about three hours I had a feeling it was done - the top was puffy and it looked just about right. The captain said to keep it cooking (what could it hurt?), but I was a little worried. We let it keep going until we got to The Gorge and lets just say, the cobbler was looking a little more like cobbler pudding. Perhaps it's the new thing? The condensation from the lid just made it a bit gooey, but the flavor wasn't bad at all. I was a little upset it wasn't perfect, but that just means we need to go on another long trip to test it out again. I did read online (the drives were long and when I had reception, I did research) that putting a paper towel under the lid would help collect the extra water. I will try that next time! I can't wait to try this cobbler again and even more on our next adventures. Thanks for the crock pot honey!

mmm, cobbler!

Once we finally made to Washington, our first mission was to get our tent set up at Wildhorse Campground. This is seriously the best campground. They have a little cafe that serves great food, hot showers (you do have to wait in line), and everyone is so nice. They do have port-a-potties, which is gross, but they clean them twice a day and they have hand sanitizer in there, so it's really not all that bad. Over the past few years I've come up with the plan of waking up early in the morning to get a clean potty and a hot shower with little to no line! I know it sounds silly, but just go with me on this one. This year was probably one of the best years there. At least I think so. The weather was warm, but not too hot and all of our friends were there. I am just sad we never got a picture of us all. There is always next year! They are seriously some of the most fun and loving people I've ever met. Seriously. Love you guys so much!

sunset from the first night at the campground. such beautiful Washington sky.

 Now on to the main attraction - the shows! Labor Dave weekend is three nights of Dave. You may think that it's a lot of nights, but trust me, once you go to the Gorge you can not get enough! Night one, the captain and I were on the lawn. It's nice to get a view of the whole venue and see the sunset above everything. The best part of night one - they played my favorite song! Grey Street! Three hours of dancing and music later, the show was over. Sad. It always goes by way to fast. Note to self - make sure to bring snacks so you don't get a stomach ache from a hungry tummy. Or get the hangries.

view from our seats on night one

I had no idea this was even taken. Photo Credit - Ryan's friend Scott

 

On to night two - the pit! The captain was able to get us tickets in the pit which is a little area right in front of the stage. Like rows away from Dave. So ridiculously close I can't even explain it. We did have to get there right when the gates opened - about five hours before the show started - but it was so worth it. We were just three rows away. You could almost touch him. Almost. Don't worry, I didn't. I wanted to. Oh boy, did I want to. The capitan asked me if I would rather have a sweaty Dave shirt or one from Buster Posey. Sorry Buster, I love you, but I love Dave more. Please don't be sad. Night two had the best set list and the captain and I definitely danced our booties off. That was until some drunk girl started to get all up in my space. I won't go there though. Let's just say, I don't like other peoples boobs pressed into my back. It just ruins the mood. Nevertheless, it was better than night one and something I'll remember forever. We were so close it was unreal.

I wish I remembered what song he was singing here.

this must have been within the first couple of hours of waiting. all smiles.

oh heeeeey dave! check out Allen Stone - great opener!

Night three was just as awesome. We were just behind the pit in a special reserved seating area. I don't know why they give chairs considering everyone is up singing and dancing, but it is nice to sit down once in awhile. The seats were amazing and I finally got to hear All Along the Watchtower! I didn't think Dave's voice would make it after three days, but he did it! The one strange thing that I still can't seem to figure out is that night three seemed SO much louder then night two. I would have thought night two would have been way loud considering how closer we were, but nope. Then again, you haven't been to a good concert until you can't hear for the next day! Side note - we also went wine tasting at Cave B that day too. Of course I spent too much money on wine while I was there, but their whites are great and I couldn't resist buying a bottle of their new sparkling white either. I figured it would be great for a special celebration. Or just because. Knowing me, the captain and I will have it just because. Or with a piece of cake. Oooh, that sounds good. Who doesn't like champange with dessert!

nothing like sharing a bottle while enjoying a wildburger

view from Cave B Winery

wine tasting with my favorites! Photo Credit: Cindy (the one taking the picture!)

Night three!

After four nights of camping and three nights of Dave, it was time to roll up the tent, load the truck and say goodbye to our friends. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know we will see each other again very soon. After almost a tearful goodbye (I blame the hormones), the captain and I were back on the road and headed for Big Sky country for even more adventures!

Here's what's coming up in round three:

1. Going through my first panhandle. I'll let you guess which one.
2. My first trip to Montana. They don't call it big sky country for nothing!
3. A real shower and bed after four days is the BEST EVER.
4. My first trip to Yellowstone
5. Having to go potty in a bush because I drank too much water and there are no bathrooms anywhere in the middle of nowhere Montana and the entrance to Yellowstone
6. Camping in freezing (literally!) weather.

  Until next time. xoxo.