None of this ever happened in real life.
Just got back last night. Back at work, playing a bit of 52 pick up with my mind, so I hope this makes some kind of sense.
My girlfriend and I followed our friends T, his girlfriend S and our friend R down to Indio Thursday after work. Took about 4 hours to get to the polo grounds were the fest was happening. It was about 12 AM, and there was no line to get in, wich made me happy. I really hate sitting line to get in after just having drove a fair distance.
The search on the way in was not a big deal. The gard we ended up with seemed lazy and not realy intrerested in going through all of our shit. Good thing. We came prepared with pretty much anything we might want to indulge in. These days I'm not really into lot shopping for drugs. I've had good luck in the past, but if it can be avoided, I will.
When Phish plays a Halloween show they do a "musical costum". For the second set of the night, they cover an album start to finnish that has been influential to them over the years. The first year it was The Beatles White Album. Year two was The Who Quadraphenia. Third was The Talking Heads Remain in Light ( My personal favorite!)
The last one was The Velvet Underground Loaded.
Leading up to this fest they put out a list of 100 albums that were all being considered, killing off one or two a day until by the time of the show there was only 8 left to choose from. No one knows until the day of the show when they hand out flyers with the album of choice, what it's going to be.
It ended up being The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street, wich they pulled off perfectly.
So, night one, we get to our camp site wich was named Exile on Main Street. I took that as a sign of good things to come. As it turned out almost the whole Vegas crew of around 20 people all ended up camping in the same general area, even though we all left town at different times. Also a really good sign.
We get our camps all set up and get to know all our neighbors. All very cool people it turned out. I've had some real nightmare neighbors at festivals over the years and it can cast a dark shadow over what should be a great time. On the one side we had these kids from Portland who flew down, and on the other a couple from Salt Lake. We were able to help them all out over the course of the weekend with a little of this and that, so now we have people to party with when we find ourselves in either town.
We wake up Friday morning to some serious heat. It had everyone chased out of their tent by 8:00, wich was fine. Its been a while since me or my lady have been to anything like this and we were eager to get the party going.
After walking down to the stage and vending area and getting beers and breakfast, I deside its time to check out these hawaiian baby woodrose seeds that I got as a free sample of from the vendor I've been working with. It had 3 seeds in it, wich I've read is a very nice number to go with.( Thanks Papy) Within about 30 to 45 minutes, I started to notice very plesant body rushes swelling up from deep inside. With every one, I could feel and almost see the energy waves comming off me and radiating in all directions. It felt fantastic. Nothing to strong, but definatley there and making itself known. It was perfect for walking around and checking out all the art exhibits that dotted the feild in front of the stage. There was some very cool iron works that blew fire, a kind of tree looking thing with rotating branches, a fun house that was also a lookout point at the top.
After that we headed over to the RV parking, were our friends band Moksha was setting up for what would be a smoking late night set after Phish on Saturday. I tried to help with some gear, but my mind was a little scattered. J, the bass player asked me if I was ok and I told him about the seeds. He laughed and said he figured I had gotten into something. We told them we would see them later and headed back to our camp.
The first set was not until 7:30, so we still had a few hours till show time. At camp we start getting everything we will need for the evening, including warm clothes and drugs. Everyone agrees that mushrooms should be the substance of choice for the night. I pack about a half ounce for the 5 of us, plus 2 capsules with 150 mill of MDMA for my girl and myself. We like to eat mushrooms for set one and bump it up with the molly at set break. One of my favorite combos.
The whole Vegas crew arrives at the feild at 6:00. Still time to find a good spot up close to the stage. This ended up being a bad idea. The crowd was tight and by the time the boys hit the stage, it was turning into a struggle to keep your place. As the mushrooms started to kick in, myself and a couple others were feeling very claustraphobic. We held it together, but really needed the music to start so there was something else to focus on. Finnaly they came out and launched into great set. I had hoped that it would make me feel better, but for the entire first set I had some asshole behind me flailing his elbows around while he danced, hitting me in the back many times. Now, I'm a fairly tall person and I realize being behind me at a show might not be where you want to be, but hitting me with your elbows is not how you approach the situation. Also, being high on shrooms, I was trying not to let myself get angry. I was not going to let this douche bag ruin my trip. After about the 4th time, I turn around and give the guy a look that basically said,"touch me again, and you're going to leave this festival with 2 broken arms". I am not a violent person by any means and I even felt bad about it a minute later, but that seemed to do the trick. After a few minutes I looked back and he had moved on. Other than him and a few way to drunk girls that were being really loud and obnoxious, that was the only time all weekend were everyone around us was not a pleasure to be with.
Second set comes and it was like everyone moved back about ten steps. There was plenty of room for everyone to get there groove on with ease. My girl and I took our MDMA and danced our asses off. It felt soooo good to be out of town, away from work and all the hastle of day to day bullshit. Camping and partying with good friends. Just letting the music move through my being, moving with sound.
I could'nt remember the last time I felt that good.
The set lasted until around 12:30. We wandered around the field for a while after the show and got food and beer. Sierra Nevada made a special pilsner just for this fest called Phoam that was very, very tasty. After a few of those it was time to take the party back to camp.
The walk from venue to camp was long and dusty. After 3 days of it, I'm still blowing dirt clots out of my nose.
Back at camp some other friends that arrived late had some how found our cars in that endless parking lot and were waiting for us. We all sat and talked and smoked and drank and laughed till around 3:00 am, at wich point the temp dropped sharply. I crawled in next to my girl and cuddled up close. As we are laying there looking at the stars through the top of the tent, I tell her how much I love her. I almost can't believe how much life has improved in the 2 years since we've been together. She means everything to me. We both work alot, so there has not been much time to go and do fun things. This weekend has been a looong time comming. I drift off to sleep with my arms around her, smiling like a Buddha. We made it!
The next day is Halloween! The sun makes sure everyone is up and out of the tent by 8:00. We have morning beers and break out the bubble hash. The Salt Lake kids have never had real hash, and get so stoned they did'nt leave camp all day till show time. Once again we head for the main area for beer and food. At the gate, they hand us flyers announcing Exile as the album for the night. I had been hoping for that one for months, so I was extra happy.
I brought along a surprise that I've been working on for this trip, but have not told anyone about. After we eat and have a seat in some shade, I ask everyone how they are feeling. "Fucking fantastic" is of course the answer, so I pull out from my pocket a pill bottle and give it a rattle. " So, anybody want to try some mescaline?" T and R jump up and practically do back hand springs. " No way dude!" " Oh I can asure you my friends, way." I hand out 300 mill doses to T, S, R and my girlfriend and tell them it will take at least an hour for the magic to begin.
I had whipped these up a few weeks before, when I had a weekend to myself and felt it would be the perfect thing for Sat afternoon before show time. Well, not to pat myself on the back too much, but it was better then perfect! Within a couple hours everyone in the group was smiling ear to ear, having the time of our lives. I felt good because I was high, but also because I was so happy to be able to do this for us. To look at the smiling faces and feel the good times we were all having, and to know I was able to help provide the material from my own garden made me feel very, very good inside.
Girlfriend and I split up from the group for a while during the afternoon set. They started at 3:30, so it was still a hot out on the field. The two of us chose to hang back under the tents at the beer garden. Sitting in the grass under the shade, sipping some Phoam, watching the field ripple like water. The mescaline provided the most pleasent head space. We felt energized but relaxed and calm. It could be the perfect psychedelic for an out door show.
I grab her and we head over to the farris wheel for a ride. It was at the back of the venue, so it gave an all encompassing view. At this point, I'd say we had reached the peak of the trip. We laughed like a couple school kids riding around in this thing. You could see the whole polo grounds from the top, and all the surrounding mountains. I know I'm biased, being from the desert, but I find the area so beautiful.
The wheel stopped for a few minutes with us at the top so we just soaked it all in. The boys were playing a raging Bathtub Gin, and we could hear perfectly from up there. Bliss.
The first set ended at 5:30, so that gave us 2 hours to get back to camp, put our costums on and grab what ever would be needed. The group was all going as members of the Dharma Initiative from the show Lost. Easy enough costums. Everyone got tan Dickies jump suits and a Dharma patch to sew on. I was an electrician, so my patch was a lightining bolt. My tag said Kill-a Watt!
Everyone in our 5 person camping group was still pretty high on the mescline, but decided it was time for the LSD. Except my lady. We have had one really special night with it, but other then that, its not her thing. She decides a little more MDMA will do it for her.
I get out the last bit of paper I've been holding on to for about a year, and T breaks out a vial he just picked up before leaving town. They drop a few hits a person, while I eat a 5 strip and grab 4 more 150 mill MDMA caps for later on. The acid hits us all on the walk back to the venue and by the time we are in line to go in, its hard not to look spun like tops! We get to our spot with the rest of the Vegas kids, drop our stuff at the blanket and settle in for a wild night.
There were some hilarious costums running around. One guy was a golden shower. A group of guys where all classic WWF wrestlers. When I walked by, they were all in the middle of a cage match. A good friend of mine who was in town from Hawaii was a big foam penguin, wich looked even funnier with a cocktail in one hand and a smoke hanging out of his beak.
The Halloween set was something special. They absolutly killed it. Flawless. Just before the music started, I gave my girl her MDMA and took mine, so by the next set break we were VERY HIGH. I kept losing myself in the light show. I work in the production lighting buisness so I have a certain appreciation for the what Chris, their lighting director does. The man is an absolute master of the craft. No body else actually follows the music as its being played. Its usually a bunch of pre programed looks so all someone has to do is hit a button for the change. Chris is actually creating the show as he is hearing it. SICK!
The finnal set for Sat starts and we are a bunch of spun monkeys! Everyone is dancing and just loving life to the fullest. Under the big full moon, I felt kind of like Max, from Where the Wild Things Are. "Oh, the moon! Look at the moon!" And they danced and danced......
Gathering ourselves to get back to camp afterwards was a challenge, to say the least, but we made it. Off with the costums, on with the cold weather gear. Down a few more beers, eat a bit more molly and it was off to the Moksha late night set.
Everyone everywhere was still up and partying along the walk the RVs.
As we got closer we could hear the music and see the crowd gathered around the little stage area in back of their RV. They had a small LED light show set up and a little fog machine, providing some atmosphere. It was definatley what the crowd was looking for after the show. No one was going to sleep any time soon, so the eye and ear candy was very appreaciated. I'd say at one point there was at least 50-75 people from the surrounding camps gathered behind the RV, completely loving it! Between all of us, plus the band showing up to play, I'd say Vegas was well represented at this fest.
The music was still going when the 5 of us desided to head back to camp at around 4:00 am. As soon as we got there, the girls went right to bed. That left T, R and myself up sitting around the table, still tripping pretty hard. We smoked a few bowls of hash and had a few beers. At this point I desided to break out my little stash of DMT. I turned T on to a couple blasts about a month ago. Its about all he's talked about since, so he was very excited. R had never done it but was curious once I explaned it a little. I got out a clean pipe that I bought earlier and packed a small bowl of herb. We fired up the bowl till it was dust, then I pushed the ash down slightly in the bowl to make an indentation. I sprinkled what looked to be in the area of 30 mill on top of the ash bed, then put a little more ash on top of that. I went first, to give R an idea of what was about to happen.
I personaly like taking in the whole thing in one big hit. I can get up to 50 mill in one lung full and have found that to be more affective then taking it in 2 or 3 hits, but to each their own. I fire the bowl, inhale slowly until there is just no more room in my lungs. Hold it as long as humanly possible. Exhale.
In my head I hear VVVVRRROOOOOOMMMM, POP!! With the pop, there I am. On the other side. As the world folds its self into back looping fractals, I smile and let out a moan. For me, there is no state of perfect calmness and serenity that compairs with this. Aside from the slight elecrtic buzz in my head, everything is perfectly silent.
As I come out of it and open my eyes, my two friends are watching me closely." How was it?" " There's nothing really to compare it to. It must be experienced", I say.
So, with that I load up T next with the same size hit. He inhales like a pro, not touching the DMT with the flame at all and letting it melt into the ash. He sits back in his chair and with his eyes still open, begins laghing his ass off. R starts to ask him whats so funny, but I stop him with a finger over my lips. Best to let someone get all the way through it before talking to them. After a few minutes T calms down to a low chuckle, but still laughing. He looks up at us and just shakes his head. " I take it you enjoyed your launch?" He just nods and smiles.
Now its Rs turn. I repeat the same load and hand him the pipe.......
Unfortunatley, I will have to finnish this tale tomorrow. The whistle just blew here at work and its time to go home. Very sorry.
Oh my god you guys. The weekend finnaly caught up with me last night. I feel like I'm going to die right here in my seat. UGH! I'll try to finnish this proper.
So, R takes the pipe from my hand, gives it a look. Puts it up to his nose. " Wow. Does it really tast like that?" " Yeah, but its totally manageable". He sits back and takes a few deep breaths. Puts the pipe to his lips, and proceeds to hold the fire right on the DMT and just roasted it right out of existance before I could tell him to stop! He hardly got even a little light headed from that one. " Dude! Like its hash! Like its Hash!" Too late. He gives me a sheepish look." I'm sorry man. Mabey this isnt the best time for me to be doing this". I tell him not to worry about it. If its something he wants to try, just let me know, any time. I tell him in a few weeks, we can all go camping out at the Valley of Fire and sit back under the desert stars and REALLY get to know what DMT is and is all about. But right then it was time for bed. It had been quite a day, and we still had one more to go. It was almost 5:00 am. Only 3 hours till we have to get up, or risk slow roasting in our tents.
I don't remember falling to sleep, but I sure remember waking up! Sunday was easily the hottest yet. Thankfully we all had pop up shades, so the day was mostly spent at camp. We all showered that morning, wich made us feel like 1 million dollars! That's probably why what happened next, happened. We get back to camp from the showers at around 9:00 am and just launch ourselves head first into some serious partying.
Out came the jager bombs and beer. Out came the mushroom tea. By 10:00, out came more LSD! It was getting a little silly at our camp, to say the least! At 11:15, we deside to head down for the noon acustic set. Wich, by the way, was about the coolest set ever! Nobody had ever heard alot of these songs done acustically. Very nice. We probably would have enjoyed it too, if it were not for the fact that the heat was now oppressive and we were all partied out. It was just a dumb move to start that level of partying that early in the day. Definatly not our proudest moment. We all just colapsed in a heap under a shade tent and tried not to die. A bit of food and water helped, but after a little over an hour, we all looked at eachother and new it was time to try and head back to camp. The motivation for this walk was the fact that there was a hose not too far from our camp and the thought of just standing under it was enough to get us back there.
The cold hose water felt like a little slice of heaven, and brought everyone back around. The rest of the day was spent sitting under the shade at camp, smoking bowls and eating this increadible Honey Dew mellon I scored at the farmers market and drinking lots of water. Wich, by the way, how cool is that? That they had a full farmers market on the festival grounds. I have to hand it to them, after the complete disaster that Coventrey turned out to be, this fest was a very strong come back.
7:00 rolls around and its time to head down for the finnal set of the weekend. The smart thing to do would have been to just take it easy. We had a 4 hour drive home the next day. I wish we had done that, but we didn't.
When we get to the venue, T breaks out a gram bag of MDMA. We all proceed to start dipping and dipping. My girlfriend has always been good about not getting too out of it, and frankly so am I, but on this last night of a great weekend we just kind of threw caution to the wind and got all spun up. For a 3rd night in a row... Jesus.
At one point, she looks at me and trys to say something, and I could see her struggling to maintain a coherent thought. Total jiberish is all that comes out, and at this point I can see she is not all there. I got concerned and brought her out of the crowd to get some water. She seemed happy, but just totally out of it. I had to hold her up when she tried to dance, wich was no easy task. Finnaly after about an hour of this, I deside its time to throw in the towel. I tell the guys I'm taking her back to camp and grab all our stuff. I'd say we ended up missing the last 3-4 songs of the set. On the walk back to camp, she just kept apologizing over and over again about having to leave the music. I kept telling her it was no problem, I just wanted to make sure she was alright. The 2 of us get back and the whole camping area was totally quiet. It was very peaceful. We could still hear the music in the distance as we laid down in the tent. I really did'nt think much sleep was going to happen after getting that spun up, but we actually passed right out.
At one point I woke up to go pee, and everyone was back. T and R were playing guitar with the Salt Lake kids. I just waved and crawled back into bed.
In the morning, everyone was moving slow. We had until 12:00 to be out of the grounds, so we slowly began to break camp. One by one, our neighbors all left and by noon we were almost the last people in the area. T, R and S were planning on stopping in Palm Springs to get some food. I just wanted to get home ASAP to a real shower and to pick our dogs from being boarded. We all hugged and said our fairwells. It had been one hell of a weekend.
So we all made it home safe. I'm nursing my head a little bit, but concidering how much fun went down, I feel good. I don't know when we will be able to do anything like this again, so it was ok to pull out all the stops.
Sorry about the rambling style of writing.
Cheers everyone!
The Lycaeum Forums » Psychedelics & Non Visionary Related » Trip Reports (Moderators: DrYRHead, delysiduous)Topic: 
Phish Festival 8. Halloween.