We go down to the river....

"Take me to the river. Drop me in the water." Al Green

Hard to believe that I was saying goodbyes to folks just a couple of days ago. I am still basking in the light of so many incredible musical moments. Anyone who has attended any kind of music camp knows that the experience is much greater than the sum of it's parts: WFC is no exception. Yes, there are moments that will live on as distinct memories. Moments like:

• David Woodhead's solo ukelele performance
• David Archibald; "I'm a rose between two thorns" Suzie Vinnick: "No, you're the icing between 2 cookies"
• An all-camp gospel sing that raised roofs and spirits
• Waking up to 10 cm of fresh snow on Sunday, after all-day rain on Saturday
• Beginner guitar students getting a standing O after their first public performance
• The look of joy on someones face after their first-ever cross-country ski.

and many, many  more. Every person reading this will have their own list of moments; memories that will catch you over the coming weeks and months and cause you to smile.

Running between and through those moments is something else.... the real power of an experience like WFC: the sense of community. The warmth, support, and joy that inspires everyone to stretch a bit....to walk to the edge of their own musical comfort zone and say "I can take one more step." It is the river that runs through our experience.

That is why we come; why we drive long distances, sleep in cabins with strangers, stay up too late and get up too early, lug instruments from building to building, sit on hard benches at meals....

Some of us come to listen, some to drink. Some to stick our toes in, others to dive right in. Some of us come to replenish the river, some come to get replenished. For some of us it rages, for others it murmurs. Some of us come to watch from the banks, others come to get carried away.....

Thanks to all of you who came and helped create this river....I look forward to doing it again with you.

"Running the big rapids is like sex: half the fun lies in the anticipation. Two thirds of the thrill with the approach. The remainder is only ecstasy-or darkness."  Edward Abbey