Well I'm still feeling the afterglow of the Getaway, and looking forward to the next one, especially since my favorite Viking has promised to be there! The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and the evenings were lovely with the full moon shining on the tranquil water. The new dining hall made mealtimes much better, and I do believe the food has improved each year we've been there. It still reminds me of the food at my elementary school cafeteria, but it's quite palatable and there's plenty of it, plus assorted sides and salads and 24/7 snacks provided by FSGW. As always there were too many workshops to choose from and I was distressed that I couldn't be everywhere at once. I was glad there were two ballad workshops. (I went to both, of course!). The "Songs not in English" was fun too - where Rita did Santa Lucia with her zither, and Charmion treated us to "Un Canadien Errant" and told us the history behind the song. Highlights - well there were so many. Amiel Schotz had everybody in stitches with his comedy scetch about an unfortunate Scottish gnome named Poppity. Dan Schatz sang a beautiful version of Rolling Home (to old New England - for Kendall) and Amos's self penned song about romance in the latter part of life (dedicated to Kendall and Jaqui) was one of the most beautiful I've heard in a long time. Everything John Roberts sang was wonderful. And let's not forget Charmion and Edmund who always come up with interesting songs and do them beautifully every time. MGAS (Hils) was a treat, and when Richard let loose with that gorgeous voice at the Saturday night concert everyone was enthralled. There really are too many higlights to recall each one individually, but the best part is, as others have said, the camaraderie and the feeling of being with old and dear friends, even though you only see them once a year. This year I had to leave Sunday evening and missed the Sunday concert. I hope I can stay for the full three nights next year.