Labor Dave Weekend

When my parents dropped off my kids today my Dad said, "You didn't post enough photos to Instagram this weekend." 

I laughed out loud. My parents love Instagram. They love seeing what we are all up to via that platform. 

But yes, he was right, I didn't post very many photos from our adventure this past weekend to see Dave Matthews again at The Gorge

No reason other than it was just nice to be there without looking through the lens of my camera. All my photos here are from my iPhone and most are from the road. The drive over there is awesome and an event in and of itself. 

With views like these I think you probably get what I mean. 

We stayed in Terrace camping again. Gotta love that green grass. This was taken late Thursday afternoon as it was starting to fill up. 

We keep trying to get our food packing and planning "just right." We like a mix of eating at our campsite and eating from vendors both in the venue itself and in general camping. We still ended up with too much food returning home in the cooler but we were closer than last year. 

Those almonds are insane in case you have never had them before. And olives, yes, always for me. 

It really is a simply breathtaking view. 

We went with reserved seats again this year - section 203 on Friday night and then Saturday and Sunday in section 103. Those 103 seats ended up being fantastic - right behind the pit. 

Last year I bought a trucker hat. This year I bought this one - which proved to be perfect as the temperatures were significantly cooler than in past years. 

When we go to The Gorge we go to see three nights of Dave Matthews (he sings different songs every night). This year his openers were Gregory Alan Isakov (loved him - similar to Ray LaMontagne) and Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros. We saw Edward Sharpe here a few years ago for Sasquatch so it was cool to watch him again as his band has evolved - they did a lot more "jamming" and a lot less of playing straight off their albums. Aaron loved it and I loved just watching Alex (the lead guy) basically orchestrate the whole thing. 

People always ask why I'd want to go see Dave three nights in a row. Because it's rad, that's why. I'm sure for me it has a lot to do with Aaron and his passion for the music, but one of the big things I've learned over the last couple years of coming to these shows is an appreciation for the musicality of the performance. I love watching how all the members of the band communicate with each other and I love it when they play my favorites (Stay Or Leave, Loving Wings, Crush). There's always a pretty fun guessing game going on trying to anticipate what the next song will be and the next one after that. It's just fun. 

PHOTOS I DIDN'T TAKE

  • Sitting under a sun shade reading Rising Strong on Sunday while Aaron played his guitar. I interrupted him multiple times to read parts and passages out loud.
  • The craziness of the wind on Saturday afternoon and evening - tents so close to falling down, etc. I was so glad I brought my big coat. It was definitely fall vs. summer over there this past weekend. 
  • Stopping at Burgerville on the way there and the way back. If you've ever been there you know why.  
  • More of Dave/the concert. You can't take DSLR cameras into the venue so it's all iPhone which are okay, but not awesome. And also I was just having fun dancing and singing. But I do have a fantasy of being a music photographer. 

Check out past posts about seeing Dave here: 2014

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25 thoughts

  1. crestajune says…
    09/08/2015

    It is so fun to read this post, Ali! The first 2 pictures you shared are from my neck of the woods.
    And Burgerville... Yes!
    So glad you had an awesome time.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. armes29 says…
    09/08/2015

    Love this. One of the things I have on my life "to do" list is see Dave at The Gorge. Red Rocks would be amazing as well, but I would love to see him at The Gorge. I'm not much of a camper, which I'm sure is what's holding me back from taking the plunge! Hopefully one year I'll just get over it and buy those cross-country tickets and do it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. jchurch2 says…
    09/08/2015

    OMG, Ali, that looks just fabulous. Where exactly is The Gorge? You are right--the scenery on the drive is just beautiful. I don't even know what part of the States you were in (I am from Canada), but it is gorgeous. Love the title of your post...so clever.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      09/08/2015

      This is in central Washington state.

  4. Becs says…
    09/08/2015

    This is on my bucket list. love, love Dave Matthews and it definitely gives you an appreciation for him and his band as musicians.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. spagirl says…
    09/08/2015

    So happy for you Ali! Thanks for sharing!! The gorge is on my bucket list... fun to see!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. hgauvin says…
    09/08/2015

    I never met an olive or a piece of cheese I didn't love. Will have to try those almonds. So glad you had fun.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. mtercha says…
    09/08/2015

    Yeah, this is super cool. It looks like awesome scenery, the drive and there too. Oh, wow, must be so great. Reminds me a little of U2 at the stadium many lifetimes ago. Glad it was an awesome time for you. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. desilei says…
    09/09/2015

    Oh that would be so amazing to see DMB in that venue! I've seen DMB play here in the midwest and they are just fantastic! Maybe I'll have to add that to my bucket list - just as a few others have commented ;) --Desiree

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. jenjohnson2 says…
    09/09/2015

    Mmmmm - Burgerville!!! Looks like an amazing weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Emilytwalker says…
    09/09/2015

    The Gorge holds such a place in my heart too! I drove there from Seattle with my best friend when I was 16 and watched the Spin Doctors (oh those '90s). I went to Lilith Fair once on a press pass and Sarah McLachlan hugged me. I sat with my friend Emily next to Emily of the Indigo Girls watching an opening act (and we kind of scared her off when we too excitedly told her we were all Emilies.)

    It was always so hot, but then the sun would set during the show and bring a slight breeze, and the bats would come out over the water, and then all the stars. So beautiful!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. papergoddess says…
      09/09/2015

      those are some fun experiences!

  11. chp97 says…
    09/09/2015

    So much fun! I saw U2 this Summer in Montreal and during the last song, Bono had some people come up on stage and while he was singing sitting beside a girl, she tried to take a photo. She was really young, so he said to her - take the photo but be in the moment - enjoy the moment. As someone who loves photography, I understood both sides. Dave at the Gorge is on my bucket list (I'm in Canada, so it's a big trip for me). I went on a cottage getaway with a longtime friend in August and was brave enough to ask her if it was something she'd do with me in the next two years. Brave because I live with anxiety and sometimes doing what I love is a little bit harder and needs a lot more planning so I don't let my anxieties keep me from enjoying the moment. For me, music brings so much joy and always helps my mood. I've loved seeing these posts from your Gorge adventures these past few years as it's inspiring to see a bucket list dream might just be doable. Thank you Ali, and your hat is awesome!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. flibbertigibbet says…
    09/09/2015

    We are pondering a move back to PDX and I completely forgot about Burgerville. Huge selling point. ;)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      09/09/2015

      I know, right? Ha.

  13. angymuse says…
    09/09/2015

    ALi! my kind of post! i LIVE for live music.. music in general but live is my favorite way to experience it! oh my its just always a different and amazing experience. I totally get why you saw Dave 3 times in a row.. I saw Prince 4 times in a row when he was here in NYC a few years back. Different every single time. Dave Matthews band never ever appealed to me UNITL i saw them Live at a music festival. its so hard to explain but its just alll feelings + singing + dancing-- being with like minded people around who feel the same way-- its magic. listening to people actually make music in front of you has my heart. cant even put it into words. and not to mention being outside! SO GLAD YOU AND AARON ENJOYED IT!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      09/09/2015

      I saw Prince a couple years ago in North Carolina and it was awesome.

  14. papergoddess says…
    09/09/2015

    So fun. Music festivals are the best. And yes, I always pack way too much food also! Dave was HUGE when I was in high school and although I like him, i'm not a crazy fan, but some of my friends are, so I get it. I love Ray LaMontagne. You should check out Amos Lee, he's a Philly guy, incredible musician and lyricist. I think you would like. I am definitely leaning more towards taking less photos of my experiences and just enjoying being in the moment. Maybe its bcz everyone takes photos nowadays??! I duno. Love that blue sky.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. colletties says…
    09/09/2015

    Your parents were right about not posting enough on IG but it's great to know you were enjoying yourself and in the moment. Totally get that! I'm not one of the people who would ask why you're see DMB three nights in a row. Eh, he is awesome, the musicians are amazing and lyrically I think he's kind of a genius. And I've seen him live and fully understand just how good they are. So good. I love how you've made this a tradition. I commented last year saying something about how DMB was 'our thing' and it's very bittersweet for me as those songs, those memories are all tied to what was. Heartbreak stinks and I know you get that. I still don't listen to DMB (by choice) because I just choose not to go there but I wanted to say thank you for sharing because it feels hopeful that one day I will listen again and enjoy. Sharing your story, sharing DMB is good stuff and I know I won't always look at it from this perspective. I just might be at The Gorge one day. ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. goshery says…
    09/09/2015

    Love this post! I drove my daughter to college from Minnesota to Oregon (Willamette U) four years in a row. It's a long 30 hour drive, and by far our favorite part was driving along the gorge. So pretty! This sounds like such a fun weekend - and olives for the win! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. edillow says…
    09/09/2015

    Fun to read this! I have seen Dave twice (once in the third row!) but never at The Gorge. It's kind of a long story, but I have done the concert photography thing with the big camera and it is amazing. My access ended when we moved away from WY and I'm always daydreaming about how to find a way to do it again : )

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Joy808 says…
    09/09/2015

    I think this is just another reason why I love you, your love for experiencing music live!Sounds like you two had another awesome time! And last week I was in Oregon and went to Burgerville for the first time. It was good and the employee recognized my Hawaii "accent", she moved to Oregon 20 years ago. So nice and friendly.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. rotten says…
    09/11/2015

    Cute title

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. jbuffan218 says…
    09/12/2015

    It is my daughters lifelong dream to see DMB at the Gorge, we are in Michigan so it will be a week long trip when it finally happens. She is hoping for next year but getting her group together at the same time seems to be the issue. Your post is fantastic and full of great info she might find useful. She is a huge fan and I would love to help her realize her dream, there is no way she would get there and NOT do all 3 days ! Looks like a great weekend.
    Amazing photos, that will light the fire in her all over again.
    P.S. LOVE me some olives :) and that super cute hat !

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. jnovs says…
    09/14/2015

    What a great weekend adventure!! Wish I lived closer to go see Dave Matthews...Canada is a bit of a trek :-( I'm reading Rising Strong as well...what parts are you being most inspired by? Love Brene and all of her work!

    Reply 0 Replies

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