Wilson tailgates with Jimmy Buffett

Well, maybe not with Buffett directly, but we still had a good time. I drove the bus out to Toyota Park, in Bridgeview IL, to see a Jimmy Buffett show on 8/15/2009. We met some of Kate's cousins out there to tailgate in the parking lot. This was my first time seeing Jimmy Buffett. It wasn't a Dead show, but we still had a lot of fun wandering around. I didn't see any other VW bus, which kind of surprised me. I expected to to see at least one other Volkswagen somewhere in the lot.

The started off early by packing up Wilson with the gear I intended to use during the trip (chairs, cooler, food, etc). I also filled up the water tank, so we'd be ready in case we wanted to spend the night. Midway airport would be close by and the remote parking lot seemed like a possible destination if it got too late. A quick oil check and I was ready head out.

The plan was to leave a little more than two hours early, so we'd be able to take the back roads. It actually turned out to be a crappy drive. Too hot and too much traffic. We had to divert to the highway so we wouldn't be too late. It ended up taking about two hours and fifteen minutes before we made it.

I didn't plan on going in to see the show, but we picked up a couple tickets right before it started. I got down to the main floor with Cathy and a couple of her cousins. The rest had seats to the side of stage, up in the seats. After a few songs I decided I'd rather go back out to the VW and listen from the parking lot. It actually didn't sound too bad, plus I had a comfortable place to crash.

Unfortunately I missed seeing Joe Perry come onstage to play during Margaritaville. At least I could still hear him play. I laid back in the back, with the top up, just enjoying the cool breeze and music in the background. Eventually everyone found their way back to the bus after the show ended. We were stuck in the parking lot another hour or more until it finally clear out enough to leave. It was late, but we drove home to give one of Kate's cousins a ride.

I found this set list online. It's a lot longer than I remember...

1. Lage Nom Ai
2. Stars on the Water
3. Summzercool
4. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere (w/Mac)
5. Mañana
6. Conky Tonkin’ (w/Nadirah)
7. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
8. Volcano
9. Cheeseburger in Paradise
10. Come Monday (The Beach Band)
11. Son of a Son of a Sailor
12. Brown Eyed Girl
13. One Particular Harbour
14. A Lot to Drink About (Acoustic)
15. My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don’t Love Jesus (Ukulele version)
16. Pencil Thin Mustache
17. Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit (The Beach Band)
18. Last Mango in Paris
19. Home Again (Ilo Ferreira)
20. Surfin’ in a Hurricane
21. Southern Cross
22. Gypsies in the Palace
23. A Pirate Looks at Forty (Solo)
24. Margaritaville (w/Joe Perry of Aerosmith)
25. Fins
26. Scarlet Begonias
27. Yellow Submarine
28. He Went to Paris (Solo)

Odometer: 144083