For some reason I decided to look out the window of the Harbor Master's office. I was watching the boat launching ramps when all of the sudden I spot a man and a woman riding their bikes by the office. I did not recognize them at first. I looked at him as he rode his bike closer to me. He had red, bushy hair and a beard. He wore a black long sleeve shirt and jeans. Keep in mind its sunny, 90 degrees out, and he is riding a bike.

My heart literally skipped a beat. It was Trey and his wife. Without hesitation I left the office. I expected to see them continue to bike along the harbor, never to see them again. To my surprise, I see Trey and his wife park their bikes at a small cafe connected to the office. No one knew but me. There was no one there but me! The setting was so intimate. The city of Chicago and hundreds of boats in the background, Trey, his wife, and one lone Phish fan. I thought to myself, "What are the odds? What did I do to deserve this?"

I worked as a dockhand to pay for college. I tried to get off to go to a few shows, but was unable to. My boss wouldn't let me, nor did I have enough money to go. It was like a reward for being a dedicated fan for so many years.

I walked up to Trey and did the whole autograph thing. But I did not care about that. I cared that it was just us three. Trey was so generous. He thanked me for stopping by his table just as much as I thanked him for taking away his time with his wife to talk to me. I took a few pictures with him. One had his wife in it! He did not hesitate once to any of my requests. His wife was also extremely polite with the whole situation. She smiled and laughed the whole time.

I spent a few minutes talking about some shows I had recently seen. I think I accidentally shook his hand too many times. I do remember apologizing for interrupting his day off with his wife. I remember what he said. "Don't worry, I love it. Thanks." And to me that is what makes him a great guy and Phish a great band. Trey and all of the guys care about us, the ones that listen to their music and go to their shows. They care about enjoying what they do and giving something for us to enjoy at the same time.

I am a believer that things happen for a reason. Believe it or not, many people actually applied to be a dockhand and the harbor only hired a few. I was one of them. And it just so happens I met Trey in a rare situation that would not have occurred if I had not been hired. And it just so happens that Phish's music means a lot to me. Tell me a way to make a bad day go good other than listening to Phish. If I had not looked at that window at that exact time I would not have known that Trey and his wife were outside.

Thanks Trey, you made my summer.

- Greg Murray