Here's a story for you....I may ramble, forgive me...

Darien Lake, 8-14-97. After I got tickets for this show, I learned that Ken Kesey and The Merry Pranksters had scheduled a stop there. Being a big fan of Kesey and the Pranksters, after reading "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" and other books about the Pranksters, I was very excited to learn this.

When we got to the show, I immediately started searching for the Further, the Prankster's bus. I spotted it, grabbed my trusty copy of "Acid Test"and a camera, and headed for the bus. After snapping a bunch for photos, I ventured into the crowd around Kesey for an autograph. I eventually
squeezed up and got him to sign my book, which he seem amused to see me have. I also had Ken Babbs sign it.

We then went into the show and danced away to Phish, wondering if the Prankster would show up at the show. Of course they did in the second set,and I was in heaven. Kesey and Phish together! It was great, and I headed back to the hotel a happy camper.

But, it only got better from there. When we got back to the hotel, what did we find in the parking lot? That's right, the Prankster's bus!! They were staying at our hotel!! So the next morning, we got up and went out to the parking lot to take allot more photos with the bus. Eventually some of the Pranksters started coming out, so we got a chance to talk to most of them,and they even let us onboard to take some photos. We kept waiting around for Kesey to come out, but he never showed.

Eventually we gave and went next door for breakfast. But, while we were waiting for a table, Kesey and some of the Pranksters suddenly showed for their breakfast as well! So, we finally got a chance to talk to him, and of course, get a picture of Kesey and me together.

It was a great trip and a concert I will never forget.

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