The Portland Shake & Bake was held at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon on Friday, June 26, 1998. Produced by the incomparable Eli Babbs and Lost Creek Entertainment, Shake & Bake's previous history promised to provide an entertaining evening, night, morning and following day.

Kesey rounded up another Merry Band of Pranksters and with the Thunder Machine loaded onto the back of the Bus, proceeded north from Pleasant Hill toward Portland. The first CD he chose to provide the traveling mood was none other than the good old Grateful Dead and I can't for the life of me remember which tunes they were except that they felt really nice. We embarked on a positive note, no weirdness, just good vibes and a nice weekend ahead.

The impeccably attired George Walker was back at the wheel. Kesey's trusty sidekick Ken Babbs on the bench beside him. The minister of the interior, Roy Sebern along with "where is he when you really need him with that video camera" Mike Hagen also embarked on this run. In the colorful wooden chair next to Babbs was Phil "Scarecrow" Dietz. Anonymous was onboard which I guessed made it an authentic trip for some reason!

The ride to Portland should take about two hours. Faye graciously provided sandwiches and Mudder made a run to the store to stock up on the usual fuel fit for prankster consumption while bopping down the road on Further. Or should I say, something to ward off the munchies. Riding the Bus consumes a lot of energy in one's body while it rejuvinates the mind and spirit.

Hagen, as usual, was the first to get the rolling party up-to-speed so-to-speak. He and I had a good reminisce and toast to my father who's doctor was the renowned Jim Beam. Hagan understood the essence of what it meant to bury the passion of life with an elixir. He understood my dad which meant he understood me! You see, it's all about holding that camera steady, capturing it all in the moment, not letting any of it get away. Right Mike? Mike... hello, Hagen!!!

We were off with the Wizard to search for Oz once again. Intrepid was a good description, years ago, for what this is all about. It never knows exactly where or when it will be there. Like any great work of art, it is the process that yeilds the goods. This trip would be no different!

For the next thirty hours, we all lived in an artful submarine, an artful submarine, an artful submarine.

 

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