<p>So S survived the heat, had a great time, and then, the SUV he is in has a flat tire 20 minutes after leaving Manchester! Good grief. I hope they know what they are doing. Claims they have a full size spare.</p>
<p>S is on the way back to NJ, should be to his apartment by a little after midnight. He said the sun was unrelenting, they were camped 3 miles from the performance tents, his skin is 10 shades darker, and never has he been so dirty. There are five of them in the van, but he said that at this point no one can smell a thing. He mentioned something about a “quick” shower when he gets home…bet it is the longest of his life! Cannot wait to hear the details.</p>
<p>S, D, and friend on the long road home. One phone died, another was inaccessible; I ended up calling the friend who assured me that all was well. They had a great, hot, dirty time!</p>
<p>I think our paper said there were only 47 arrests this year!</p>
<p>A 2nd death has been reported:</p>
<p>[2nd</a> person dies at Bonnaroo festival - Entertainment - Music - TODAY.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43386923/ns/today-entertainment/]2nd”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43386923/ns/today-entertainment/)</p>
<p>Wow on the deaths. </p>
<p>ShawSon has gone for three years – didn’t go this year. He had a blast each time. He said it was very hot each year and they brought in lots of water (Costco cases of bottle water, I think) plus refills there.</p>
<p>He went with four or five friends each time. ShawSon is 6’4" (he says, but he looks 6’5" from here), broad shoulders and 220 lbs. Gentle, cerebral soul but probably not the first guy you’d pick to mess with. We figured he’d be safe almost anyplace. One or two of his companions were of similar stature. </p>
<p>ShawD just graduated from HS and asked earlier this year if she could go with a female friend. ShawD is 5’9" and thin like a model. We said, “you can go if you can convince your brother to go” (or some other large-ish people). We thought, two cute girls by themselves could be a magnet for problems that would be dispelled by ShawSon or equivalent.</p>
<p>MomLive, like you, I wouldn’t let my son go with a 15 year old girl. I’ve got nothing against sex (actually I kind of like it) and expect my kids will have sex, hopefully in relationships, while in college (didn’t see it happening in HS, although it may have – it is clearly happening in college). But, I would not put a 15 year old girl in a tent with a 19 year old boy. Even with the best intentions, her desire to be a big kid and their mutually raging hormones could lead to an illegal act for which your son could pay a lifelong price (my recollection is that consensual sex with a 15 year old is statutory rape, no ifs ands or buts, and that would place him in the sexual offender registry for life). So, glad to hear that they didn’t go.</p>
<p>My “baby” made it home around 1:30 am, driving the last 150 miles by herself. After an exhausting 4 day festival, she was still determined to finish the drive (although I advised stopping at a hotel/motel). When I saw reports of a serious accident (near where she would be at that time), I was terrified. Well, long story short, she arrived fine, hungry and looking forward to a shower. My heart aches for the families of the 2 young people who died. I wish we could keep them safely tucked under our wings until we knew they could fly solo under all conditions.</p>
<p>I got word that DS made it home in middle of the night…flat tire in Virginia…picturing them unloading all their camping gear (in the dark?) to get to the spare. I bet he is dragging today. No details.</p>
<p>D’s friends who went stopped to stay the day/night with her in Nashville. They were so grateful to have a hot shower & an air conditioned place to stay that they bought D & her roommate dinner last night. Her friends had a wonderful time at Bonnaroo … two nice girls from a small Catholic college who camped among the masses & loved it all.</p>
<p>A few more details: said the drugs were rampant, never has seen such a casual availability. He made it back to apartment about 3 A.M., showered and the water was black. Showered again when he got up and it was still gray. He said his traveling companions just fell into bed, did not shower, then changed their beds. Yuck. They were camped as far away as possible…3 miles from the music…so in once a day. They were only allowed to bring unopened bottles with them into that area, so most of what they ate and drank they had to buy. He said if they had been closer they could have utilized the food, etc. they had brought with them, but in the heat, it was too far to get back. Wall to wall people for everything, on their feet all the time, a wonderful experience. He still sounds very up and cheery, must be invigorated. No word about future plans…kind of curious about that. Glad he is safely home.</p>
<p>I was impressed that so many CC families had Banarro stories. Any kids making plans for 2013?</p>
<p>My older son goes every year. I am still upset with him for skipping the Buffalo Springfield set last year, even though it featured 4 of the original 5 members.</p>
<p>emeraldkity4 --</p>
<p>You started a thread about this a week ago. Still planning to go? If you do, hat’s off to you. No way could I possibly endure this type of outdoor concert during the summer at my age (late 50’s). I wonder how many people our age go to these huge outdoor outdoor music festivals?</p>
<p>Any ideas how much spending money a kid should have for the 4 days of Bonnerro? Any idea if the Vendors take plastic or if there is special ‘Bonnerro Money’ for the daily spending? Are there ATMs on site? I was planning for him to use his Student Debit Card, but now am looking for a ‘plan B.’ Thanks in advance - PS</p>
<p>I would not count on onsite AtMs as they can run out of money/ break down.
At least that is my personal experience with sites with limited access.</p>
<p>EK4 is not going- maybe after we get our tear drop trailer.
Just had TKR three weeks ago, so no concerts till Paul McCartney- who incidentally will also be at Bonnaroo. 
But Glen Hansard wont be in Seattle.
:(</p>
<p>Well, it’s been interesting so far! News reports in local news here in TN… last night there was a fatality accident (2 deaths) on the highway to Bonnaroo and today a Bonnaroo bound California man was arrested in a Nashville hotel with a large quantity of drugs. The weekend passes sold out, but you can go for the day.</p>
<p>Somehow I’ve missed this thread the past couple of years but it brought a smile to my face when I read through it.</p>
<p>Shortly after I met my husband and his children, his college-freshman daughter started talking about Bonaroo. It was ALL she could talk about. For months. </p>
<p>She and some friends were planning to go that summer. I didn’t know her well; didn’t know she was a princess for whom roughing it was staying at a Holiday Inn rather than a Hyatt.</p>
<p>She and her friends set out - a 4 hour drive. Roughly 8 hours later dad got a phone call. Come get me! It’s hot. It’s dirty. I hate the tent. He encouraged her to enjoy the music and her friends. 2 hours passed when he received phone call 2. It’s disgusting! I can’t stand it! Get me out of here! More encouragement to enjoy the experience. Finally, the middle of the night call that was simply tears. </p>
<p>Dad’s a softy and he got into his car, drove the 4 hours to get her and the 4 hours home in complete silence. It was nice that when she got out of the car at home, she thanked him for coming to get her.</p>
<p>Now, a number of years later, she’s married and a mom and any mention of Bonaroo around our house is greeted with lots of groans and gales of laughter.</p>
<p>Son is a volunteer with 4 of his closest friends. He drove our minivan down from Maryland on Monday. So far, so good. He is helping to build a sustainable house (at a music festival?) and having fun. Given what MOWC just posted, I’d better not look at the local news. Also tracking the weather–I think it’s okay there, but wonder what they’d all do if there was a tornado warning…not much shelter, I think.</p>
<p>Hey All - Son survived Bonnaroo! No worse as far as I can see - he did leave his backpack outside his tent one night and lost his wallet, his money and his favorite books, but I’m counting that in the win column. He had a wonderful time! Thanks for the reassurances!
PS</p>