We started out later in the morningn on Wednesday than we had planned and road construction in town and on the highway made the trip in the Uhaul take even longer than usual. . .
I trailed the Uhaul (carrying Rob, the dogs and all of our gear) with my truck (carrying the kids and all of our stuff) and often found my speedometer reading between 10 and 25 miles per hour. . .
It was a long drive. . .
The kids slept through most of it. . .
Kurt and Hayden arrived shortly after we did and we all got to work unloading the truck. . .
The group that hires us built a barn with an attached stage so the festival was held in a slightly different area than last year. (The links to last year are here and here and here and here and here.)
The kids were a big help on the set-up but still had time to hang out. . .
The location is beautiful with a great view of the mountains. . .
We had all day to set up the canopy, lights and audio so it wasn't stressful. I really like when it's not stressful. . .
Since Gloria broke her arm hanging on the truss at this event last year, she was instructed early on to not hang or climb or do anything that might require a hospital visit. Zach hasn't broken a limb in several years so he could hang all he wanted. . .
The set-up was an all day deal with a little bit of fun thrown in here and there . . .
The kids do what kids do and fashioned weapons out of pieces of wood they found laying around. . .
It kept them busy for a long time and when I reminded them to be careful (as I often did . . . ) they reminded me that they were playing outside rather than sitting in front of a video game so I backed off a bit. . .
At one point in the afternoon when we were taking a break, Kurt picked up Hayden's sword and he and Zach acted out the scene in Monty Python where King Arthur (Kurt) duels with the Black Knight (Zach). . . .
Arthur: You fight with the strength of many men, sir knight. (The black knight does not respond)
Arthur: I am Arthur, king of the Britons. (no response)
Arthur: I seek the finest and the bravest knights in the land to join me at my court at Camelot. (no response)
Arthur: You have proved yourself worthy. Will you join me? (no response)
Arthur: You make me sad. So be it! Come, Patsy! 
As Arthur and Patsy start to ride past the black knight, he suddenly speaks:
Black Knight: NONE SHALL PASS.
Arthur: (taken aback) What?
Black Knight: NONE SHALL PASS.
Arthur: I have no quarrel with you, good sir knight, but I must cross this bridge.
Black Knight: THEN YOU SHALL DIE.
Arthur: I *command* you, as king of the Britons, to stand aside.
Black Knight: I MOVE FOR NO MAN.
Arthur: So be it! (draws sword)
A short battle ensues, where Arthur, relatively unencumbered by armor, easily dodges the slow and heavy strikes by the black knight. Finally, Arthur dodges a strike, steps aside, and cuts the black knight's left arm off with his sword. Blood spurts from the knight's open shoulder.
Arthur: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch.
Arthur: A SCRATCH? Your arm's off!
Black Knight: No it isn't!
Arthur: Well what's that then? (pointing to the arm lying on the ground)
Black Knight: I've had worse.
Arthur: You LIAR!
Black Knight: Come on, you pansy!
There follows an even shorter foray, at the end of which Arthur easily cuts off the black knight's right arm, causing it and the black knight's sword to drop to the ground. Blood spatters freely from the stump.
Arthur: Victory is mine! (kneeling, praying) We thank thee Lord, that in thy mercy-- He is kicked onto his side by the black knight. Black Knight: Come on, then! (kicks Arthur again)
Arthur: (on the ground) What?!?
Black Knight: (kicking him again) Have at you!
Arthur: (getting up) You are indeed brave, sir knight, but the fight is mine!
Black Knight: Ohhh, had enough, eh?
Arthur: Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!
Black Knight: Yes I have!
Arthur: LOOK!!!
Black Knight: Just a flesh wound! (kicking Arthur again)
Arthur: Look, STOP that!
Black Knight: Chicken!!! Chicken!!!!!!!
Arthur: Look, I'll have your leg!(The Black Knight continues his kicking)
Arthur: RIGHT! (He chops off the black knight's leg with his sword)
Black Knight: (hopping) Right! I'll do you for that!
Arthur: You'll *WHAT*?
Black Knight: Come 'ere!
Arthur: (tiring of this) What're you going to do, bleed on me?
Black Knight: I'm *INVINCIBLE*!!!
Arthur: You're a looney....
Black Knight: The Black Knight ALWAYS TRIUMPHS! Have at you!! (hopping around, trying to kick Arthur with his one remaining leg) 
Arthur shrugs his shoulders and, with a mighty swing, removes the Black Knight's last limb. The Knight falls to the ground. He looks about,realizing he can't move.
Black Knight: Okay, we'll call it a draw.
Arthur: Come, Pasty! (they "ride" away)
Black Knight: (calling after them) Oh! Had enough, eh? Come back and take what's coming to you, you yellow bastards!! Come back here and take what's coming to you! I'll bite your legs off!
Maybe you had to be there but I thought it was hilarious!!!
Maybe you had to be there but I thought it was hilarious!!!
We were finished with the set-up before midnight and everything turned out beautifully and ready for the next day. . .
Day 1 went better than I expected it to, leaving me hope that the rest of the week would go just as smoothly. Unfortunately, Day 2 turned out to be much more difficult than I thought it would . . .
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