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WOW 1970

Me and my,at the time, "girlfriend" ,later wife, ex wife and now good friend, had been together about 6 months or so. We had manned a barricade in the Park Blocks that spring protesting the War, Kent State and the Jackson State 7(?). We celebrated her 21st birthday in one of the barricades,birthday cake and all! Then a few days later Frank Ivancie turned the cops out and the fight started. Ah memories!

I was living in Goose Hollow on Clay St, that's before the infamous, mysterious fire,and she was living over by the Safeway off Jefferson. One of my neighbors' and friends was Sammy McCall,Tom's son.

 One day during the earlier part of that summer a few of us were sitting on the front porch probably getting stoned, since that was the thing to do in those days, when Sammy comes over to tell us about what Tom was going to do. I thought cool we can get out of Portland and not have to put up with the Legion and the potential for "trouble". You see I had it with getting my head busted. I was in Chicago in 68, got brained and got hit at the Park Blocks. I thought I'd let this one go.

Fast forward to Aug. Mel and I went to McIver a few days early. Set up camp and helped build the stage and started the party early. We were primed by opening day. Later, on the opening day we were walking around the grounds near the entrance when I looked down and saw a baggie which I thought was someones garbage. So I picked it up to throw in a can but took a look before I did. SURPRISE! It was a bag of 'shrooms and 80 some hits of some REAL good acid! WHEW! The rest of Vortex is a blur but I KNOW I had a good time! We did give most of it away. I hope you got some!

After Vortex Mel and I went to McIver many times. It was a special place in our venture  together.  Something I'll cherish till the end of my run. We felt like we were "plugged in" when we went there. I can't explain it any more than that.

We had a big raft we used to put in at the park and float the Clackamas to the rocks in Gladstone. Those were some of the most peaceful days I ever had. And the best times with Mel.

I'm 63 now, still crazy, and still love Mel.

Thanks for letting me reminisce.

From Lake Chickamauga TN

Bill P

PS I miss Oregon big time!

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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