Chance Encounters

The Main Event

We cruised to the dock at a good 4 knots per hour. The lake was once again glass making it very easy to coast back. Splash,was panting heavily as he retrieved ten geese. Quite a feat in the cold lake. Mark tied up the boat as I backed the truck up. We loaded the boat up and pulled forward into a parking spot. “Hey it’s not storming, I want to show you something.” I said. Mark nodded and we got out of the truck.

With Splash in tow we walked along the coast of the lake. The sun now rising was giving the sky all sorts of brilliant oranges and pinks. I led us to a cliff where it was a 45° incline. “It’s not that bad,follow me.” I said noticing his face all scrunched up. Leading the way I pulled myself up on the rocks. They were wide enough for both my feet to be on it comfortably. Splash climbed as well,noticing where we were going he raced ahead to the top. I smiled,even though he was two years old,he never lost the puppy spunk that was in him. Once we reached the top we made our way through the pines that towered over us. Up ahead was an eighty foot drop off to the lake. It was clear from everything over looking the mighty superior. I sat on the edge, feet dangling off the edge. Mark sat next to me wrapping his arms around me. “Oh my lord, it’s so… so… majestic.” I smiled giving him a kiss. We sat there watching the sun as it arose from its slumber. The shadows across the lake were replaced by the brilliant colors. Above a raven flew sounding out its call. I smiled, “Hello,father.” Mark raised his eyebrow at me. I responded, “His spirit animal is a raven,so when I see one it reminds me of him.” Mark looked forward pondering for a second before his eyes widened, on the bank was a herring eating a fish of some sort. Splash wagged his tail as he wiggled in between Mark and I.

Once the sun rose we made our way back down the cliff, a lot harder going down than up. Helping Mark with his steps we eventually made our way back to the truck. It was already 7:47 am, and we still had four hours of driving to do. I sighed as I started the truck,before we could even start our journey we had to drop of Splash and the boat. Once we got back home, I notified the family that Splash will be staying inside,but if they wanted to and felt so inclined they could let him out. I ran over to RedHawk’s house and gave him the flock of geese we got. He smiled and wished us well on our journey.

I wish I could say that the road trip went well,but alas,it didn’t. On the freeway I noticed my gas gauge was on E and had to stop for gas, to which I way overpaid. “Oh s**t babe! I forgot to grab my Canadian coins!!” Mark looked panicked as he scrounged the truck. “Oh well,I’ll just pay in a 20$ bill,not much I can do.” I pecked him on the cheek as I got out and went inside. The gas station was a small one that had exactly one cooler filled with Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola. I had a craving for some mtn dew,however I took what I could get. I sighed as I handed the clerk a 20. With shock and awe he looked at it like I handed him a bar of gold off of the titanic. “Well,I don’t know the exact conversion,but I think this would be correct.” He handed me back 15 Canadian dollars. I looked at the colorful bills,at least I’d have the correct money for a toll road. Mark already pumped the gas and I hopped back into my truck, “Yeah before you even say it I’m dumb.” I shot him a cheesy smile as we pulled out.

The toll road went rather smooth as at least for this encounter I had the correct amount of money and it was the correct currency. We finally made it to Wisconsin, and we were making record time. By going through Canada we cut an entire hour off our time. In just twenty short minutes we would be meeting my favorite band. Sporting a piece of my father I had on his combat coat on, and underneath I wore my favorite shirt, a Creedence Clearwater Revival shirt. Mark had our tickets in his pocket. “Thank you Marky.” I said pulling into the parking lot. He pecked me on the cheek, “Of course, I’m glad I get to be with you.” We parked. Time for the main event.

We got out of the truck and began to walk to the venue, lots of old hippies selling weed and many other things. We went into the gates where the guy took our tickets and told us to follow him. We walked through the maze of people. All the way to a door behind the stage. We made it early because the opening band was still running in and grabbing things for their show. Jerry Garcia and John Fogerty were just talking when we showed up. “Hey it must be the backstage people!” Jerry yelled motioning us to come on over. Mark shook their hands, “Pleasure to meet you guys, I’m Mark.” Shaking their hands John motioned towards me, “And what’s your name?” I stammered, “Uh,Skye.” I managed to spit out my face turning red. The venue owner handed Mark and I shirts from this concert. It was tie dye in typical Grateful Dead fashion with both the bands’ names on it. “John,you wouldn’t believe it,but this girl can rock any of your songs on guitar.” I looked at Mark shell shocked, I could barely get out my own name let alone play at the moment. Then he added, “Same goes to your band Jerry.” Both of them raised an eyebrow, “Ain’t no better way than to see it,show us what you got.” John said handing me a guitar. I smiled, “Alright sir strum the first song and I’ll follow you.” John smiled as he began to strum Bad Moon Rising. I began to play and sing right along side of him. Mark snapped a few pictures something that I didn’t find out about until much later. Jerry being no slouch wanted in on some of the action to which we played Box of Rain. “The show is about to start so why don’t we come back afterwards and we can talk some more then?” I nodded and we walked out to the front row of the stage.

The Grateful Dead put on one hell of a show. We bought some beer and drank, along with pulling out a joint and smoked. Their set list was the entire American Beauty album. The best song they played was Friend of the Devil. I was smiling, then the lights dimmed, time for CCR. The whole arena got quiet,then John,Stu,Doug, and Tom came out. I went bonkers,it was magical. I can only hope that Mark was having as much fun as I was. John silenced the crowd and said over the mic, “Wisconsin!! Are you having a great time?!! Who’s ready for some rock and roll!!!!??” Then he strummed the intro to Travelin Band. Mark and I had our arms wrapped around each other’s waist. Singing along with every song. Then came the closer, the lights dimmed, and flashed a fuchsia color. John looked into the crowd,but it felt like he was looking directly at me. Then they started to play Put a Spell on You. Mark and I turned to each other and started to slow dance. It was a fantastic way to end an amazing concert.

Once the crowd dispersed a bit we made our way backstage. John was passing his guitar around to his band mates and the Grateful Dead were hovering around it too. I shook John’s hand, “That was incredible.” John smiled and looked at Mark and I, then led us to a room with chairs. We sat down, “So what was your favorite song?” I shrugged and said, “Green River, or Up Around the Bend.” He motioned towards Mark, “And for you? Mark replied, “Run through the jungle.” John nodded. I lit a joint and offered it to John as he took it and hit it hard. Then passing it to Jerry who sat down next to us. “Where are you guys from?” I responded “Marquette. The Upper peninsula of Michigan.” He nodded, “John,if my girl here wasn’t such a big fan of CCR I almost wouldn’t have noticed the difference between you and the crowd.” John laughed, “Honestly, we get that all the time.” He laughed passing the joint back to Mark. Jerry asked for our concert tickets, signing them and handing it back to Mark. John came back with his Rickenbacker 325. It had everyone’s signatures from the show and a note from John and Jerry. “It’s been a while where a fan can jam alongside with us and not miss a single beat.” He handed me his guitar and pick. Then took our tickets, “I’m happy that you two enjoyed the show. He handed me the case for the Rickenbacker. “I have to get going, but it was awesome to meet you guys.” He said, Jerry shook our hands and went walking with him.

We were some of the last to leave. Mark and I were still grinning from earlier. We pulled out of the lot, “Thank you,it really means a lot that you took me here.” He grinned, “I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.” We started to kiss,until I pulled away, “It’s about time we head back.” Mark nodded, “Yeah,but wouldn’t it be cool to see a bit of Wisconsin? Maybe see their lighthouses and stuff?” I pondered it,on one hand it would be really cool to see a different state.especially around the lake. I nodded, “Screw it,I have some cash for a hotel. Let’s go and see Wisconsin. We pulled out on to a highway,making our way from Eagle River all the way to Wausaukee. As soon as we got there I would make a call on the first pay phone I saw to let everyone know what we were up to.