June 7, 2012 
As you are reading this I’m (hopefully) arriving in Manchester, TN to spend four days with 80,000 of my closest hippie friends for this little music festival called Bonnaroo. Why is this crazy, you ask?
- I just went camping the first time a couple of weeks ago. I’m not quite sure I’m ready to “go pro” and set down tent stakes with 80,000 other people packed onto a 700 acre farm.
- Showers are available. For $7. Did I mention they are cold showers? Most people aren’t going to pay $7 for a shower when they can wash up in the water troughs that are placed around the farm. And I expect to be around people who can’t be bothered to even do that.
- What happens if it rains? That’s right. Big mud pit time.
- What happens with 80,000 people use port-o-johns? I’ll let you answer that.
- The best part? I’m not even really that into music!
BUT…..
- You gotta admit, this is pretty crazy. And if the purpose of the list is to force me out of my comfort zone, I can’t think of anything better to achieve that. If I survive this, I can survive anything.
- Thanks to modern science, I can stave off most bacteria I’m sure to get from the “facilities” with copious amounts of wet wipes, Clorox wipes, and antibacterial liquid.
- I have rain boots and knee-high socks to keep the mud to a minimum.
- For a non-music lover like myself, there are a few bands/musicians I wouldn’t mind seeing (Radiohead, The Beach Boys, Phish, Foster the People, The Avett Brothers, Alice Cooper, etc)
- There’s a big Ferris Wheel, and a huge inflatable water slide, and a beer festival, and belly dancing classes, and arts events, and they have their own Post Office just for the festival…
So maybe it’s not all bad.
I’ll let you know.
That does sound like a crazy adventure. As long as you don’t mind the lack of good showers and getting dirty (which it sounds like you don’t) you’ll have a good time. Anyways, you could always have a beer or two. That makes any situation a little better. have a good time.
Keep the mud to a minimum? If it turns into a giant mudhole, I recommend stripping off your clothes and playing in the mud with 80,000 strangers! Cut loose!
That sounds like a blast! With all the activities going on I’m sure it’ll fly by! Baths while camping is overrated anyways- just bring some deodorant
. The port-o-potties should be interesting, though… good luck with that!!!
Sounds like it’s going to be quite an adventure – I can’t wait to hear all about it! xx
You actually seemed to pick a really good year to go to Bonnaroo. I heard the weather was the mildest its ever been! My sister has gone a few years and always comes back with sun poisoning…ick…
Yeah, we heard that past years were crazy hot (although coming from NC where it’ll be 100+ this weekend, I feel we could have handled it!). I PROMISE I’m writing all about it soon!