So they drove through, stayed at our house for a few days and at some point I mentioned going to a music festival the following summer. Of course, as I am always on the look out for upcoming festivals I had found one that was reasonably priced and just about the right time of summer, the beginning of June. "Okay, so I have this awesome idea! We should save up money and buy tickets to Wakarusa! We can car pool up there, it's only 15 hours. We can split the drive. 7 and 1/2 hours one day, or even 10, then we can stay the night somewhere, and drive the rest of the way!
The line up is killer (as I ramble on about who will be there, many of who she didn't know, as she'd been gone for a while)" Pause. A look of sure excitement and a huge grin told a story of the future. "Yeah!" she turned to translate to David. He had a big smile on his "Yeah, this sounds good!" It was set. It could not be denied that this was something we had to do together. 
Being obsessive compulsive has not always been a part of my life, but some might argue that in one way or another I have been this way whether I like to admit it. Whatever the case may be, I am this way now. I can always know however, that no matter how obsessive I may be, I can always count on my obsessive compulsive friends to keep me on the straight and narrow with just a little bit of motivation. I obsessively packed everything we could possibly need from little baggies of citronella wrist bands to rid ourselves of mosquitoes, sunblock to rid ourselves of too much sun, and various miscellaneous items that may come in handy. All individually packaged and neatly labeled for our convenience.
At no point have I ever thought that my love for music and the festivals that are born by it would fade. Life has flown by and now it seems that our "availability" has lessened. Nonetheless, we still enjoy and will jump at any opportunity to attend some type of live music show or festival. Stuffed in a car for over 15 hours on our way to Kansas was an adventure! Four adults, one toddler and a whole lotta stuff that "may just be" necessary filled our car. We planned to leave early on the Tuesday morning before the the festival began and drive for 2 days to arrive there in the evening the day before the festival.
This would ensure a good spot in line the day the gates actually opened...and of course a good camping spot would naturally come with. The morning came so fast. As early of a riser as I am, I don't think I was quite prepared to wake up this early and head to the venue after a long night of excitement and planning in the hotel room with Kate, David, Jess and Scott (some of Kate's friends who met us there from Connecticut). Erik and I were just happy that Esau had given us an extra hour of sleep, which was going to be extremely important over the course of the following four days. We all jumped in our cars loosely packed from the night before. Esau strapped in his food filled car seat, scarfing down a quick snack, which in no way resembled a breakfast...we headed to the venue, somewhere about 3 miles down the road from our hotel. Amazingly we drove right up to the checkpoint, and were directed to the first camp ground open by volunteers wearing construction orange and yellow vests holding the pointers you see directing airplanes. We drove right in with no hassles, no problems, and jumping out of our skin right to our suggested camp site.
Car by car the lot filled up. Tent by tent the camp ground expanded. We set up camp and 
decided that 7am was pretty early to be completely finished with everything for us to be ready for the four days to come. Walking around and taking in all that was going around us was our choice. The smell of breakfast cooking just up around the corner came to abuse our olfactory nerves as we walked down the already beaten path made by all of the early birds. So we had a plan...cook some breakfast, then head out to the lake. What could be better than a mid morning swim with a full belly?
decided that 7am was pretty early to be completely finished with everything for us to be ready for the four days to come. Walking around and taking in all that was going around us was our choice. The smell of breakfast cooking just up around the corner came to abuse our olfactory nerves as we walked down the already beaten path made by all of the early birds. So we had a plan...cook some breakfast, then head out to the lake. What could be better than a mid morning swim with a full belly? The walk to the lake was just long enough to start sweating and digest some of our breakfast. By this time, many had the same idea, sitting by the shore, artificially blowing up their rafts and giant play toys for the water. Men screaming like hyienas as they entered the water to shockingly awaken themselves from the early morning. Women slowly slinking into the water like snakes, cautiously entering after seeing the reaction of the men....smart thinkers I must say. Children running down the hill and belly flopping into the water with no hesitation. The uninhibited ways of the child inspire us to have no fear for the unknown. 
Esau joining in and making a break for the water's edge...he's much more cautious than the average child, he stops short of entering the water...looking around to see what everyone else is doing and wondering why they're acting so funny, contorting and sqirmming about as they enter the water. He's smarter than most, this water is TOO cold, even for the tips of his toes!
Esau joining in and making a break for the water's edge...he's much more cautious than the average child, he stops short of entering the water...looking around to see what everyone else is doing and wondering why they're acting so funny, contorting and sqirmming about as they enter the water. He's smarter than most, this water is TOO cold, even for the tips of his toes!
