This is the first time I open my eyes and gaze at the inside of my tent from Pennsic, really nothing out of the normal just crowded with more stuff.  Need to think of a mini pop up to store my gear and give me a more comfortable setting.  Shaking the cobwebs out of my eyes I know I really need coffee, and really early enough that I do not wish to disturb anyone in camp about opening my gear to get coffee started, so I set off on a walk, whereas Merry and Perley offered me coffee anytime I’m near camp.
start to walk down to their encampment, and the smells of the air fill my lungs, and the mist rising from the canvas of all the tents is a pleasure to behold.  Even at an early morning hour few are awake, but it really gives you pause to see just the splendor as the first morning light hits the camp grounds.
I make my way to their encampment, and while enroute I run into a friend of mine I have known for a little bit on Facebook.  More like she recognized me then I her cause she was sitting in her camp.  She calls my name walks up and greats me with a warm hug.  Thank you, Thora, for the wonderful welcome.   Seeing as my friends were not even out of their even coma, she offers to take me to the beast and bore, to help get me a cup and insurance.
Let me tell you this if part of a lot of things is a god send.  First of all, it is only 40 dollars (38 plus 2-dollar insurance) and unlimited coffee, tea, lemonade.  I don’t know about much; however, I can drink enough coffee to cover that cost in no time flat.  So yes please, thank you drive through.  Let the nectar of the goddess run into my veins.

after first cup hits we walk around to see some of the area, and she wished to share where Heralds Point was for me, and I gaze at my work spot for the next few days.   Pretty much as I expected in its early stages.   This I would also meet the Circus Mistress. (forgive me having brain on scadian names to early will update when it comes to)
and thereby I was going to be one of her monkies.
First impression a delightful cheerful person.  Who was overjoyed on having a cow. (I look around and don’t see a cow as I am aware of, on further eye wondering I see she means the saw horse contraption with two water filters on it… ohm that is a cow). And with her cheer I’ll enjoy working for her, funny she reminds me so much of Winter Sister it’s not even funny.  So, Thora and I talk to her a bit, go to see if I can Volunteer for a security shift.  Come to find you need a driver’s license even as a side passenger.  Oh well so much for that idea.  Then I excuse myself from Thora, so I can make a drop off, and a pick up at camp (switch out the coffee mug I won’t be using and grab my cart and chair and shower gear) and make my way back to Heralds Point to help set up.
Set up is an interesting affair, a small amount of hurry up and wait, and another moment of lift and carry.  All in all, good fun however the patio stones they use for the book cases are omg heavy as hell.  I’m too old for the lift and jerk I guess.
Mistress Brita come up the Heralds Point Hill and meets up with me on her way to help set up EK Royal, so I excuse myself from heralds point to work for King and Country.
Nothing really important here, with the exception of just how much gear is required for a royal encampment astounds me.  Not for the sheer volume, but the way how things are organized, lifted, constructed, and then set up.  Here I got to see another friend Alise de Montmaidy.  A glorious smile even if also part of the ant farm during set up, but a welcome embraced.  Had to excuse myself for by this point my garb was def heavy with sweat from today activities.  After a bit more assistance with guide ropes for the gate, and handing out portable holes for the wind wall, I had to excuse myself to have a shower.  A long overdue shower.  However, before I left I was gifted a snazzy pin as thank you for my service.
got cooled off with shower and sat at the Turkish coffee place for a cig.  And attempted to capture my Thunder Wheel with the war banner behind it,

however come to find focus was a bit odd but at least proof my wheel has arrived in Pennsic.

Long walk back to camp for hydration, relaxation, conversation, then coma
Stay tuned come after the weekend for more further entries

So, the Day started off waiting for travel companions to rise from there slumbers, so while still out Jim’s I enjoy morning coffee, and morning cig, while looking out the back deck, looking over the lake, seeing the water blue mixed with the green in the leaves, and wonder what Pennsic will be like.
There are times in one’s life where anxiety can make the expectation far worse than it can be.  I have found that my anxiety is really low.  My depression is low, my anticipation is high.  This is long soughed, and the hurdles that I have had to endure to enjoy this, the tasks that had to be completed at home, that unlike others whom I do not fault, it is more of jealous.  Have help to achieve such goals, and security for when I get home.  This is my dream and now its reality just a few short hours I will be there.

Then we wait.

And wait

And wait.

When the travel companions finally awake I am familiar with the desire to get back on the road, as my overnight needs are re packed and I’m waiting for their motivation to get back on the road.

And finally, we do.  As we start off, the driver needs to make a target stop.  Ok one in route no issue, and after that is done we continue toward “turn left in buffalo and strait on through boredom”. And no kidding they were right
once we got there, it was trees, more trees, and grapevines for as many miles can see, and I can feel in my heart as the hours count down 5…. 4…. 3…… 2…. OMG, I want to get there already.  Just under an hour to go.  Then it broke down to miles.  Face book lit up with “93 miles to go”.  “Adrenaline spike.  26 miles till touch down”. And then it came, my first site of Pennsic, pics and video can only do so much, and I know many have watched it, but I’m including it below.  Caution adult language

then 2 min till touchdown

Finally, oh yes after all these years finally
“Blue Talbot to Mission Control… Finally Conall has Landed”
Trolled in was an adventure within itself, nothing at all that I would ever expect, then again I would expect that after all these years, the staff has check in a matter of routine, with volunteers to run this smooth.

Get back in the truck (gods my back and ass is tired of this thing) find the camp, thank you google maps, and start to offload truck and trailer, as my phone goes absolutely nuts, with friends saying “welcome home” ya ok ty but let me get set up its like 8 after all and the sun is going down.  “hey, come down to [insert block numbers… yes multiple]. “no ty sorry but battery is dying need to get set up and the sun is running for the hills.
Get tent up, gear stored, bed made, and fall down and collapse for first night under Pennsic stars…..
Stay tuned for tomorrow for my first day.