I woke up much earlier than anyone else – only got about 4 hours of sleep, but I couldn’t fall asleep again. There was still no water, so I couldn’t shower or even use the bathroom. If this situation was not fixed, there were going to be some dirty and cranky people at Okefenokee – myself included. I thought it would be late enough to call Beth at the Cape, so I made the call and woke up the house. Only spoke with her for a few minutes, but just wanted her to know that I had gotten there safe and sound. However, I truly felt disconnected and, in truth, alone from the world out here in the middle of a wildlife refuge. Trying to keep quiet so that I didn’t disturb the others who were still sleeping, I went out to the porch. Spanish moss hangs from the trees, suspended in the branches, pulled down by gravity, yet its seemingly thick tendrils sway easily in the gentle breeze. Birds and insects fill the morning air with their cries; squirrels forage among the fallen leaves, ever watchful and wary, ready to climb to the safety of the trees should something disturb their search for food. I sit, waiting for the start of a new day, waiting for the others to wake.
I noticed a long and slender bright-green lizard crawling along the screen of the porch and quietly get my camera, carefully walk outside so as not to disturb the little guy and snap the picture. Sat back down and Dave Brewer joined me on the porch where I had to relate the bad news that the water is still not working. We see the little lizard catches something and eats it – it’s just the natural order of things. Many seem to have no regard for the flora and fauna that have lived here long before man ever walked on this ground. There must be so many places here in the swamp untouched, untainted, never trod upon except for the small creatures that live there. Our presence here is a danger to this fragile eco-system: motorboats expel fumes into the air and leak gasoline or oil into the waters, while some uncaring visitors dump their refuse, littering the habitat. Shameful! I’ll do what I can, but will it be enough?
At some point that morning, Vic came around with the Ricochet Gathering t-shirts that he had made up for the event and I couldn’t pass up on the deal, so I bought one and immediately put it on. Dave and I then went over to Cottage 2 with our plates, bowls and silverware for some breakfast. Some were having omelets made by Morgan, but that was going to be a little heavy for me this morning; I opted for some Rice Krispies, some fresh fruit salad (cantaloupe, pineapple, peaches, apples) and ate another piece of that sausage.
After breakfast, we had a “town meeting” where we decided on a game plan for the day and then gathered in a circle where we went around and introduced ourselves, told where we were from, and whatever else we wanted to say to the group. Peter Ruczynski recorded all of this on his video camera. I guess he just wanted to remember all of the other swamp freaks that attended this Gathering. Just kidding, gang.
Only one motorboat was available to us today, so it was decided to get all of the people who hadn’t been to Okefenokee before on the boat first before the veterans of previous Gatherings. I was assigned to go on the first trip at 12:30 with Vic, his son Patrick, Dell, Jens and Steve S.
It was around this time that we had some great news: the water was back on! Hallelujah!! Since I was going out on the boat and had to cover myself with sunscreen and insect repellant, I waited to take a shower until after the trip. Hopefully I would be downwind of the others, but I think all of us were in the same condition.
While Steve and I waited for the others to arrive, I had the chance to talk to him about a few things. I’m sure he’d been asked many times, but I wanted to know how he has been able to perform and compose electronic music, playing with some of the most well-known artists in the genre [Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and now, many years later, with Jens as Star Sounds Orchestra] for over 30 years. Any artist needs that creative outlet – writing, painting, sculpting, taking pictures, or making music. Steve strives to communicate with the audience, to bring them along on an electric journey, always searching to play the music he hears inside and bringing it to life so that others might enjoy it as well. However, all artists are their own worst critics.
During our 2-hour trip, ultimately to Minnie’s Lake, we saw a deer feeding right along the water’s edge and half a dozen alligators. Though any time we got close to a turtle resting on a log or on the bank, it would dive into the water to avoid us. Vic – O Captain, My Captain! – and Patrick took turns steering the boat.
We passed Steve Whiteley and Dave Brewer in a canoe…twice. I didn’t see any birds, but I was looking down at the water hoping to see the reptiles this swamp is known for and I got pretty good at spotting them. I didn’t even need Steve Irwin along. I almost went through a whole roll of film on this little excursion, but I had plenty back in the cottage. Weekends are very busy in these waters this time of year, so I’m sure much of the wildlife was wary about being out and about – motorboats and canoes were to be seen almost everywhere we looked. There were some areas where the water was so still though, the reflections were absolute mirror images of the scenery. Cypress trees appeared to grow in both directions, up into the sky and down under us. It was truly amazing.
After we got back to the boat launch, Dell and I walked back to the cottage together and she suggested I take the first shower. [Was the smell that offensive, Dell? :o)] But first I had a cider, which really hit the spot – the sun had been beating down on us and I was thirsty because I forgot to bring some drinking water. After I took my shower and got dressed, Peter was in the cottage and I asked him to sign all of the AirSculpture CD sleeves I brought with me. Hey, I’m a fan – I’ve got them all! Sue me!
I got to speak with him a little while before his turn in the boat, gained some new perspective on a few things and talked a little about AirSculpture and Electronic Music. This proved to me that they (Peter and John, in this case) are just regular guys with regular jobs (Computer Programmers) who happen to have this hobby of playing [FANTASTIC] music, but I still see them as a little more than that. While it may be a little naïve, it is nonetheless true. Pete said that his wife was going to come, but they had a new puppy – a 4-month old Golden Setter – they didn’t want to have to board for the week. This I understood completely, as my wife and I just got our Catahoula Leopard dog last September. [Before anyone asks, I'll eventually have pictures of what she looks like elsewhere in this site.]
Pete went off to find the others for their boat trip and Dave Brewer got back from his canoe trip, so I asked him to sign both of the Okefenokee CD’s. I talked to him for a little while, before returning to record my thoughts and experiences for the day in my journal. As I’ve already said, Electronic Music has always been a private thing to me, so I was in a state of shock and just didn’t know how to interact with other enthusiasts. Then again, I’ve never been very comfortable in ‘large‘ social gatherings in the first place. (Hope this explains to the other guests why I was rather quiet.) Sometimes, I just don’t know what to say. I love the music, but I don’t know much about the instruments being used, let alone how to play them (I hope I didn’t screw up the equipment description too badly in my earlier ranting). Conversations seem to last for a little while and then die on me. Now don’t get me wrong here; I was having a great time, but I would just spend a few moments talking with somebody, then he, she or I went off and did something else. It also takes me a while to reach a comfort level.
Before dinner was served, Vic came by to collect all of the items for the gift exchange. Meanwhile, three of the grills were being fired up tonight’s dinner: barbecued chicken. Also on the menu was tossed salad prepared by Vic with a simple dressing of sunflower oil, garlic and lemon (and one bowl without – there was a bottle of blue cheese for those who wished some) and a side dish of lima beans. The meal was served and it was all very good, but I skipped the lima beans.
After dinner and clean up, we all went over to Cottage #4 for the raffle and grab bag. First, we all received a raffle ticket and got to pick a prize out of the box when our number was called … or take an item that someone else picked. There were over a hundred items available and there were some rare items in that box. Everyone who attended and brought items for the games walked away with at least two items.
The first item I got was Dave Brewer’s mini-disc, Piano solo at the Edge of the Swamp of Okefenokee. I had heard about this performance from last year’s Gathering and knew that Dave brought 8 copies of it for the grab bag, so I felt around in the box until I found the right shape and got one. There was a raffle for a CDR of TD’s Shepherd’s Bush 2001 concert along with a lighter from the venue, which Patrick Hill won. There was another raffle, but this time I opted to take a CD that someone else had picked. One of the things I’ll be remembered for at this year’s Gathering was taking Entrance by Danger in Dream from Steve Whiteley. I had that CD on my want list for so long, that I didn’t want to give up the opportunity to grab it. (Sorry again, Steve!)
After that round was over, it was time to play Name That 'TD' Tune and Name That Film (TD Soundtracks). I was hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself, but I did pretty well. I won a couple of items: a copy of Atem on the Relativity label and Hampshire Jam Preserved. I did guess wrong a couple of times, but at least the track I named in error was on the same album as the correct one. With all of the music Tangerine Dream has produced over the years, it’s hard to remember every title.
Klaus Beschorner had sent Roger a couple of TD concerts on CDR, but you had to answer a trivia question to get it. I seem to remember that it had to do with naming the concert where someone in the audience requested a tune by Mozart and Edgar obliged by playing a few notes. The answer was Brussels, Belgium 1976, correctly named by Jim Moore. I don’t recall the exact concerts he won, though.
We had one more raffle where I got a CDR copy of Mannheim 31 October 1976. There were a few items left in the box, but Vic and Roger were prepared with a crossword and a word search. Unfortunately, our team did not win. Still, I walked away with some nice items.
I went off to bed around 2 AM, but many were still up and about. I found out the next morning that John and Pete played a short piece that was not recorded on DAT after I had gone back to the cottage. Damn it! Betrayed by my body’s need for rest and I miss a chance to see two-thirds of AirSculpture improvise an original track. Those that witnessed it said it was great. I hope someone was at least making a fan tape or recorded it on video – Anyone? PLEASE!