| New Year's Eve is synonymous with Phish for me. Ever since 1994 became 1995, I decided there was no better place to be when a new year rolls around. Not only because those four dudes from Vermont throw the best party in the known universe, but because there is simply no better way to reunite with friends. Of our crew of nine below, we came from New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, California and Wisconsin to be together with Phish. And what a party it was. |
| The Cast (l to r): Chrissy Cornwell, Max Cascone, Mary Sarah Bergh, Allison Weintraub, Maria del Carmen Larios, Adam Weintraub, Bethy Cornwell, Russell Lewis Thomas Kahn and Josh Levy. |
| As much as New Years is synonymous with Phish, Phish is synonymous with traffic. The two-day festival was the band's fifth such event, and each previous one -- The Ball, The Went, The Wheel and Oswego -- had horrendous traffic. But the entrance into the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in The Everglades topped them all. After picking up Josh in Boca Raton on Dec. 29th, it took us an hour to get to Alligator Alley (I-75) and 14 hours to go the last 20 miles. Fortunately, with four beds, a bathroom, a microwave and plenty of food, we were in decent shape when the morning of the 30th came about (above). |
| From the moment the engine turned off, I felt guardian angels surrounding us. We parked on 2nd Ave. (where I live in Manhattan) only 15 minutes from the stage, conveniently next to a mechanic named Bob. Bob helped us construct a makeshift ladder to get to the top of the RV, where the photo was taken above. Coincidentally, we also parked about 50 feet from our good friends from New York: Sam & Scott, Mike and Buppy, and Doro. It was all too perfect. |
| Dave (like me) had to stand with anticipation of the forthcoming afternoon set on Dec. 30th. The set itself was terrific, highlighted by the Traffic cover (get it?) of Light Up or Leave Me Alone. The sun sets midset below as the Weintraubs say hi. |
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On the morning of Dec. 31st, I ate millennios for breakfast (yum) and
explored the magical Cypress Trees with Bethy.
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Preparation Page (Maps, etc..) & Getting to Florida... Jupiter, Fla. #1 Jupiter, Fla. #2 Big Cypress #1 Big Cypress #2 Big Cypress #3 Big Cypress B&W Big Cypress #5 After Midnight Max's Page (more pix) |
