At Reggae

Sunday
It started off in the morning with thick smoke.
It cleared off a few hours later. By evening it was clear again.
This is my "Ol' Buddy" Milt Anderson. He is asking me "Will the date show?". You can click on the photo to enlarge it. It reads 1984. The second year of Reggae.
The tip jar on the left was "Cash Only". The tip jar on the right was "Buds Only".
These are a few of my beer camp friends.
Some people just didn't realize that no matter how long they left the door open, that it never cooled off the outdoors.
This is suposed to be a picture of the crowd, but it turned out to be a wiggley picture of the stage.
Saturday
Early Saturday morning, the beginning of a great day.
A new vendor this year that seems to be fairly popular, Burning Man Bicycles. I saw quite a few riding around in the crowd.
V.I.P. tent.
V.I.P. bar.
Afternoon.
Backstage ambience.

Friday
Kim Sallaway kissing my wife Janis. Never tell Kim that you are going to count to three and take the picture. Ummm... I forgot the name of the girl on the left. Do I lose my bloggers credentials?
Stage before concert.

Crowd at closing.
One side of beer walk-in, kegs of beer are stacked two deep. That is the "Punch Bowl" in the middle.
Beer booth at night.
A beautiful day in Southern Humboldt. 85 degrees and sunny.
Pretty girl with very full, highly decorated tummy. Of course I asked her if I could take this photo and she proudly consented.

This is my two-hundredth post. I had intended it to be something deep, thoughtful, and moving, like a photo of the 20x40 foot beer walk-in cooler at 34deg, with 240 kegs of beer, and the (?) gallons of hurricane punch. The photo that is included here is from last years Reggae. I will include new photos every evening.


The Reggae inspired lawsuits have all been settled, and agreed upon by all sides, and happiness has spread across the land. Except maybe a few sad lawyers that will now have to find other fools to fleece.

Although the agreement was a lot like General Lee surrendering at Appomattox. The Ceremonial Swords have all been laid aside, but just below the surface of the calm pond, or in this case the “River®”, lays some unresolved conflict that will either be let go eventually, or it will consume the souls of the grudge holders. There is some fairness in life, if you pay attention.

I sincerely hope that this is a new beginning, and that the Mateel will now take “Reggae on the River®” which ever direction that they deem it should go, because they now own it "lock stock and barrel®”. They now have the opportunity to steer the concert in any direction that they choose, without interference or conflict. I wish them good luck, and good fortune, and they have my offer of my assistance in any of their refrigeration needs. (As they know, I always have provided their refrigeration at Reggae.)

From the community’s standpoint the lawsuit settlements have been a huge win. There has been more Reggae concerts and small gigs than Garberville has ever seen before. The town has been kept somewhat full by concert goers, and business is definitely on the rise. I’m not sure that it is all related to Reggae concerts, but it has to be a plus.

Myself… I’m glad the fight is over! There are people on both sides of the Reggae conflict that have been dear friends for years. It hurts me to be looked at like I am judging them, or that I might have some kind of a preference. As you might guess I can see right and wrong on both sides. Before all this happened it was acceptable to offer criticism, or praise without it being questioned. That openness needs to return to this community or we can never progress from here.

It’s time to heal!

Photos to follow nightly……………..