[Gitchigumee]

I was at the Minneapolis concert on Saturday night. It was my second trip to the State Theatre in two years, and my third Lightfoot concert in 4 days. What an experience the past week has been!

After arriving in Minneapolis (about 3 hours from home) and driving through three (yes 3) parking ramps but that's a whole other story, my husband and I finally found a hotel that had a room downtown (none other than the Hilton). What a gorgeous hotel, one of the nicest if not the nicest one I've ever stayed in. After checking in, we needed to get a bite to eat and so we strolled down toward Starbucks where Louisemnnpls and I had pre-arranged a meeting prior to the show. We grabbed sandwiches and ate them on an outdoor patio and watched the people and street life as we ate. Fascinating, since I'm not from the big city. And what a beautiful September evening it was. I kept thinking to mysef, I wonder if Gord and the guys ever venture out prior to a performance, just to get some fresh air. I had just met the guys the evening before in Rochester, and so I had my eagle eye out for anyone (truck driver, Gord's manager Barry, the guitar tech guy or any of the band members), just in case. So my husband and I finish our meal and decide to stroll around before meeting up with Louise. We're walking down the street and who should I see coming our way???? Rick Haynes. This was the one band member who had really made an impression on me the night before, and so I approached him saying "Hi Rick! Remember me from last night?!" He said yes, and was trying to recall my name which was on the tip of his tongue. Well anyway I was able to introduce my husband to Rick (who thought Rick was one of you internet people!!) When it finally dawned on my husband who we were talking to, he was pretty amazed. I just can't get over how friendly Rick is and how easy he is to talk to. As we parted, I said "See ya at 8:00!" He smiled and waved goodbye.

Next we headed over to Starbucks and I'm up at the counter picking up my cappucino and there's this teeny tiny woman who fits Louise's description, and then when I see someone who fits her husband's description, I'm sure it's her. So I say, "Are you Louise?" and she says "Yes" and so I introduce myself and then we greet with a hug. What a sweetheart you are Louise.

We got our beverages and had a seat at a table, and lo and behold, in walks Seafarer (whom I recognized from meeting him the night before), his sister, and MnMouse. We get to talking fast and furious, and we're laughing and having a good ole' time, and I'm thinking to myself, we're gonna get thrown outta here 'cuz people are trying to sit quietly, have some coffee, and read. Oh well, we were having fun.

Later, Louise and hubby and me and hubby walked to the concert together, and I told Louise that I thought our husbands (who were walking ahead of us) looked like a couple of old hippies. Probably because they ARE a couple of old hippies. What characters.

On to the concert. Gord sounded great, and during intermission I was looking around for Claudia but she wasn't in her pit area seat, and so I'm walking around back to my seat, and who should I run into again? Seafarer, who was standing smack dab in the middle of the center aisle talking to none other than the elusive Claudia & husband and blocking the path for all the people trying to move up and down the aisle. Of course I joined in the conversation. Seafarer is right, I think those around us who overheard our conversation were thinking-- what kind of nuts are they? What a blast!

The 2nd half of the concert went just as well as the first half had gone, and I was very very happy to hear Alberta Bound for the first time live and in concert! I was also really happy to hear CRT again as he had not played it the night before.

I'm sure there's much more I'm forgetting to share. The night was bittersweet for me, because it was to be my last Lightfoot concert of the 3 I attended, but suffice it to say, it was a great evening, Gord's performance was mesmerizing, and meeting the fellow Corfidians was, as they say, absolutely priceless! What great people.

I will hopefully have a couple of pictures to share, and will get them posted as soon as I can. Thank you Louise, Seafarer, MnMouse, Claudia, for including me in your special group. And thank you, Gordon Lightfoot. It's all because of you!!