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Wow how long ago this seems now.  I was 16, just married that past February with a 3 month old baby boy.  That baby boy turns 40 this May. 

I don't remember a lot other than the weather was fantastic, the music was okay, but not the highlight.  People were very mellow and friendly.  My then husband and I drove to the park in our piece of shit '63 Sport Fury convertible with a top that wouldn't go up, when the festival first started, but didn't go prepared to camp out, so we returned home to Portland that night, or at least I did since I had to take care of the baby.  My mother-in-law had volunteered to babysit not knowing exactly what it was that we were going to until much later.  I remember when I returned the next day the traffic was so bad they had closed the road.  I had to hitchhike a ride to the park and walk for what seemed like miles.  We stayed until Sunday, but had to get back to reality.  I think I've been there ever since.

I remember swimming in the river.  Even in August the Clackamas can be mighty chilly, but it was hot and there wasn't much to do but hang out and walk around.  Lots of people in the buff, which was unusual for Portland, but not freaky.  We would just stop and talk to people.

I also remember all the hype about trying to herd the would-be protesters out of downtown.  My dad belonged to the American Legion (a veteran of World War I) and he made it clear he didn't want me involved in any war protests when the Legion was in "our" town, so like a good girl I went to Vortex instead.  I had attended the Bullfrog festival the year before.  He was more than a little mad when he realized later that it was "a bunch of freaked out hippies smoking dope"!

Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.  Woodstock without the mud and great music.  I also think McCall was a great govenor.  I kind of like the guy we have now too since I used to work for him many years ago.   

My 10th high school reunion was held at McIver Park and we've camped there many times since.  It's still a beautiful place.  I'm a native Oregonian and it's nice to sit and recall those few days of peace and love in the park, or at least the part of it that I can. 

Don't you think we could use some of that peace and love now? 

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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