As a longtime FSGW member and Getaway-goer, I wasn't sure at first that I liked the idea of all these Mudcat folks taking over our Getaway. But of course it hasn't been like that at all, and it's been a pleasure to meet and hear such great folks and to have some new blood in the old gang. One of my few disappointments this year was that I couldn't stay for very much of the Mudcat session on Saturday morning, having promised Nan a while ago I'd be at her telephone songs workshop. That was fun--and we came up with a lot more songs than the last time we tried that topic--but I missed matching faces to a lot of the handles that have become familiar in the last few months of Mudcat-lurking. I did identify and meet a few more 'Catters over the course of the weekend, but not by any means all. Maybe Bill's pictures will help. And of course we'll do it all again next year! Other (all minor) disappointments: (a) Saturday lunch. Other meals were better, not great, but as Bill and Jenny have pointed out, the food was on time, with no long lines, and there was plenty of it. (b)I arrived and left in the dark, so I couldn't see what I imagine was probably a pretty drive between I-95 and Ramblewood. (c)There was no ballad skit this year--last year's was hilarious. (d) Nobody cleaned up my house while I was away for the weekend (I guess that's more of an unfulfilled fantasy than a disappointment...) As for highlights--it's hard to pick out just a few, but: (a) Being met in the parking lot upon arrival in the dark by a fellow with a flashlight, who pointed out how to get to the dining hall. Thanks, whoever you were! (b) Sitting outdoors on a fabulously beautiful afternoon talking about and singing harmony with Sandy and Caroline and a bunch of great singers; (c) Standing in the middle of one of the best dining-hall shanty-sings it's been my pleasure to participate in for quite some time; (d) Reclining poolside in a lounge chair while listening to some great music; (e) Being transported by Dick and Nancy's Mongolian chant--the whole room was vibrating! (f) Being fantastically proud of my son Ken Schatz, who has turned out to be one of the best singers I know. As one who has worked on Getaways years ago, I really appreciate all the work that went into it, from Dolores and Charlie spending much of 1999 canvassing all the camps in the Mid-Atlantic and coming up with a good one, to Rita putting together such a terrific program, to Jennifer handling all the registrations, to all the others who did so much to ensure that we all had a great time. Thanks! --Nancy