I've been a fan since the hiatus and it has been one long trip. I was shut out of nye 02 and was not able to attend the feb. tour. The months passed and summer was approaching. My dad knew my excitement for Phish and he bought my a ticket to see "Grappa Boom" Mike Gordon, Jamie Masefield, and Doug perkins play. Now this is one hell of a birthday present.

Now arriving at the show we soon came to realize the show was at a restaurant. We had dinner and while eating I see someone walking down the stairs in the middle of the room. It was Mike and I could not move. He kept moving and walked outside. This was my one and only chance I thought in life to meet one of the guys.

I ran outside and Mike was just chilling before the show. It was just Mike and I and another man. It was nuts and beyond my limits. We talked for a good 15 minutes. We looked forward to the summer tour. He felt IT was too far away to think about but we couldn't wait. This venue was so small, I think everyone met Mike. The show was awesome and blew my mind.

Well, school gets out and on my last final exam i travel up to SPAC, NY to see the Dead for a little celebration for the summer. Saratoga is a great park and beautiful park. Guess who rolls into the parking lot that day. Mr. Michael Elliot Gordon rolls into the lot.

Now I did not actually see him parking, but all my friends say they helped him park his car. I believed the guys because Mike lives in NY, and why wouldn't he come up for a good show? After the second set Mike rolls out onto stage on his segue way to play with Phil. They play a duet jam. I could now say it was true that my friends helped Mike park his car because they knew he was here before the show.

Well the summer tour kicked up and I traveled to Camden NJ for the 2 night fun before IT. My friend use to work for Phish and set me up with an aftershow pass'. The first night was rocking with a powerful "taste". It is one of the best feelings to enjoy phish on a summer night with a crowd throwing glowsticks. 

- Tim W.