Fogerty Concert

Sunday, August 9, 1998
One year ago: Broad Margin of Leisure

When I had dinner with Jack a few weeks ago, he invited me to join him tonight at a concert in Woodinville, at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. This place used to be in the country, but has mysteriously moved closer to the urban sprawl and it doesn't seem far away now at all! In addition to vines and the winery, they have a nice outdoor amphitheater and various artists play there throughout the summer.

We had discussed the detailed plans for the day via email, and I had agreed to bring the food for our picnic dinner. I started on this yesterday: feta cheese spread and crackers for the first course, then tabbouleh (with fresh mint and cherry tomatoes, yum!) and teriyaki-marinated chicken thighs. Pepperidge Farms Double Chocolate Milano cookies for dessert, since Jack had told me he was a chocolate freak.

I used the early part of the day to put the finishing touches on this feast, then drove over to the Redmond Town Center parking garage. Jack thought it would be easier for us to meet there and I could follow him to his place, rather than try and give me directions. He says a lot of folks get confused because the central part of Redmond has a lot of windy streets, and you must go through there to get to his place north of town. I got there early (of course!) so I went to the bookstore, then propped myself against the building (in plain view) and waited, reading my book. Somehow Jack didn't see me or my car, so he parked and began waiting as well. Fortunately I looked up from my book a few minutes later and saw the red SUV parked where it hadn't been a few minutes before, and went over and greated him.

A stop at the grocery store for beverages, and a stop at Jack's house to pack the cooler (Jack's daughter has a cute black Pomeranian dog!) and we were off in plenty of time. One more thing we needed to buy: you can't have regular folding chairs at Chateau Ste. Michelle, but only the low kind. We drove to downtown Woodinville, and looked for a place to buy the proper seating equipment. But where? Jack admitted that he doesn't shop in Woodinville that often. I spied a military and outdoor gear surplus store with the charming name of "Sir Plus" and suggested we look there, since they often have camping equipment at such stores. Success! Jack bought two of those sling-type affairs which depend on the counterbalance of the sitter's weight to support the sitter. (Is that a clear description?)

We had some time to wait on the lawn at the winery before the gates opened at the amphitheater. There was some concern that we were perhaps not in the correct line, but the fine policewoman from the Redmond police force had things well under control and we were where we should be. (She was off duty, I'm sure, and working as private security.) Finally we were through the barriers and had grabbed our spot on the lawn. We relaxed on the grass after we figured out that tightening the straps greatly increased the supportive qualities of our sling type chairs. Who knew that such apparently simple devices needed documentation!

We read the paper, ate our food, and strolled about inspecting the wares that the vendors were selling. Jack had a beer in the beer garden. Finally it was time for the music.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *    *

The opening act was "SistersSeven," which was fine, though entirely unknown to me. The main event of the evening was John Fogerty, of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame. He was just great, but it was soon evident that I should have brought earplugs! It wasn't so extremely loud, but my ears aren't used to those levels. I partially closed my ears throughout the concert. Jack is a big fan of Fogerty's. He said that the first rock concert he ever attended, at the age of eleven, was a Fogerty concert!

I had a fine time despite the loud music. Thanks, Jack!

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