Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)

Last weekend, we headed out of town to just east of Asheville, for a weekend of camping, music, outdoor activities and, well, rain. We’ve been three times previously (Fall 2010, Spring 2010 and Fall 2009). Every trip has been different. The first time, Rob didn’t come. THe second time Rob came up on Saturday. The third time we were all there. This time, we all went up on Thursday instead of Friday, except I stayed in a hotel the first night so I could get my work done (no wi-fi at LEAF…).

Getting there on Thursday instead of Friday has a few advantages — pick of camping sites, short lines, an extra night in the gorgeous surroundings. Not everything is open yet (nowhere to get breakfast on Friday morning) and there’s not much music happening.

Chloe

Everyone got to do their own thing. Chloe, ever the adrenaline seeker, loves the bungee jump, rock-climbing and zipline. Camille sold pouches in the Kids’ Village. Rob drank good(?) beer, listened to music and adventured with Chloe. I got to sit. Sit still. Little in the way of cleaning and no computer. I got to listen to some bands and not cook or clean (did I already mention that?). And I got to hang out, quietly, with friends. That’s always nice.

Lake Eden

We did have quite a bit of rain to deal with. Anything not inside the tent got pretty wet. A few of our games that were inside the “screened in porch” got sopping wet. And rain on a tent can be a nice sound but not when it keeps you awake.

Our tent

My leg/back hurt a bit during the weekend, making trekking from our tent to the mainstage a painful experience. Thankfully, Camille helped me find a place to sit and then went off to stand in line for food, etc.

Camille bought a “recycled” shirt. I bought a glass turtle for the collection; it is actually a pendant, so if I find a cord I like, I could wear it.

Camille in the market