What are your best TBF memories?

[TellurideTom]

whyte byrde: This is the only way I could move this into this topic. Otherwise it would have been it's own topic and would move down the page in time.

My favorite memory is a tie. Years ago these girls I was camping with entered the band contest but one shy brunette nearly didn't play. I told her, "You girls are gonna be famous. You're pretty, and play great" They went on to win the contest and you know them as The Dixie Chicks. My funnest year was when I hung out with newbies from the East Coast who made me laugh and laugh. They were called "The Leftover Fish Heads..."

[Australian fan]

Meeting everyone ( almost) from this forum in real life and discovering how great you really are; walking into the venue for the first time and being struck dumb by the beauty; finding out what a rum ball really is; seeing musicians I have loved but never seen for the first time; sitting in the sunshine feeling so happy; washing the dust off; wearing my wristband and not wanting to take it off, ever.

Thanks for everything, it's been a beautiful week

[Hot Sugar]

There were a lot this year that I may get around to typing up, but one that stands out is watching a great band from my hometown win the Band Competition! Here's to the Lil Smokies!

[Pirate Looks at --]

They owe it all to you Sugar!

[BillyBeru]

They owe it all to you Sugar!

Yeah, without his former professional comedian drumming skills they never stood a chance at winning.

[Hot Sugar]

They owe it all to you Sugar!

I think they owe it all to Ellen for warning them not to camp in Run a Muck

[Pass Port]

You got that right Sugar!        You called it on Monday though. They smoked it! 

Can't wait to see them on the main stage next year!!

[Mntngirl3868]

If you know the girl who took my green northface down jacket and a fleece hoodie from the Palm after Greensky Saturday night, please have her call me to return them.
Her friends said she was super trashed. She is from CO (Durango, maybe?) and left Sunday am.

Please pass my info along to her if you know her and see this

Or if one of your friends looked like she left with a different jacket she came in, please pass my number along.

Lauren - 730-383-1111

Peace

[landshark]

Making a Duk Tape surfboard with a shark bite out of it in camp with a sense of community and love of freedom of expression. I want to can that ......lots of friendly familiar faces. I like it when people look me straight in the eyes. Beautiful!

Maple Als grade B Syrup! Al this stuff is like liquid gold. Yikes hold me back!

2 waterfalls this summer and no rain. Squirt gun heaven..

Summer Bliss Ale I only had one but it was so cold and the time was so right...Very good Ale!

[Pirate Looks at --]

Ok here is another one.  In 2006 I was traveling Solo from California to the TBF. I was excited on Sunday Morning as I hit the road, loaded in some traveling Music and got off with the Sunrise. I traveled through Truckee and had the truck headed down hill toward Reno. As I started up a smal. Hill I noticed that the engine reved really fast and I was not speeding up. This caused me some concern, and it got worse. I quickly realized I had a transmission filled with neutrals. I was able to pull to the side of the road and a CHP came by shortly and pushed me to a turn out. I called AAA and the tow truck arrived an hour later. I had him tow me to a (AAA recommended) transmission shop that was closed as it was Sunday. He was then nice enough to take me to the airport so I could rent an SUV. I then went back to my SUV and loaded all of my gear into the rental SUV, found a Hotel and proceeded to get really drunk. Up early on Mondy to go to the tranny shop and have them take a look. They called a few hours later and said the tranny was fried and they needed to replace it. It was going to take the rest of the week to repair and about $2000.00. He said it would be done by Thursday, so I said can I pick it up a week from Tuesday, and took the renta car to Telluride. When I arrived in Town Park, and pulled in to our camp site at Wanderin'. I rolled down the window and my good friend Hippie Jerry handed me a bottle of Goldsclagger and I knew I was at home.  

[Australian fan]

Finally get to comment on this thread based on really being at TBG.

 Arriving in Telluride really late at night and being lost. Creeping into our condo and collapsing. Waking up the next moring and poking my head out the door on Main Street. Seeing THAT view for the first time....walking into the campgrounds and everyone saying hey. Getting slightly lost and finally finding some familiar faces....the big smiles, th excitement, the nervousness.

Hearing the music, chilling in the sunshine. Meeting and greeting new friends.

Going to Firstgrass and being blown away by the sound, the friendliness. Having complete strangers say " hey, you are Australian fan". Sharing a tarp with new friends. Lots of smiling.

Long talks with folk from every part of the States.

Dancing in the dust to Greensky. Throwing marshmallows at Yonder. Hearing Bela Fleck for the first time. Realising how great Hot Rize is. Getting my groove on to the Punch Brothers. Being blown away by the depth of talent in your country.

Realising that I could do three days nights of Festival and Nightgrass and still be awake. And sunburnt.

Eating the fabulous dumplings. Hugging great new friends at the end, so sad tat it was over.

It was all wonderful. I can't wait to come back

One of the best times of my life

[FREDSweetfa]

In 2004 I went to the Festival from UK as I was awaiting radiotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer and it was one of the highlights of my life. My son and his girlfriend are treating me this year to a return visit after I recovered from acute pancreatitis. Seems to be a theme here!

I will never forget walking into the park for the first time, seeing the mountains in the background, feeling the excitement, securing a patch of grass, and then there was Jorma Kaukonen (R.I.P) opening the proceedings. One of my favourite all time guitarists played a blinding set of acoustic blues. Awesome

I don't think I missed a minute over the entire weekend and I hope not to this coming June

Really looking forward to seeing the full line-up

 Listening to: Liz Longley - Memphis

[Pirate Looks at --]

Let's not bury Jorma before his time.....That was Paul Kantner that passed!

[bschultz]

Most recent- walking down from Bear Creek trail and hearing Lau echoing off the canyon. Made their ethereal sound even more powerful.

 Listening to: Van the Man

[landshark]

My birthdays almost always lands on TBF 6/21. One year as we were making the treck my husband asked, "what would you like for your Birthday"? I replied, "to meet as many new folks as I can". We lived at 9300 ft on a mountain and I was ready for banter and tomfoolery, to get a tad reckless no driving involved. Free to be just me!

So on my Birthday I arrive at the tarp and they had a huge cake and posted a happy birthday sign and I met tons of folks that still call me by my name. Very sweet!

However this one beautiful women stood up and said YOU ARE MARRIED TO A YOUNGER MAN ! ME TOO! I was a little embaressed and sat down.

The next year I look behind me and 20 guys and gals were dressed like Cougars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WORK IT! LOVE IT!!!

 And they still dress like cougars today. Look for them!