The alarm this morning was not my friend! Kept telling myself it will be worth the lack of sleep! Today is day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. A quick cab ride took us close (unfortunately not that close though) to the HSB stages at the east end of Golden Gate Park. Our blanket and bags found a nice spot at the Banjo stage, ready for Bonnie Raitt tonight! Got there just after 5am and other tarps were already set up at front of the stage. I was a bit disappointed that our space was three tarps back. However after leaving, having breakfast, then coming back, we had a new perspective. Behind our sweet space were several tarps and people wishing they were us! We had just enough time to take Carla out for breakfast at Brenda's during that break. A meal complete with ghirardelli chocolate beignets, a corn chowder omelet, pecan sweet potato pancakes, watermelon basil ice tea and a strong cup of chicory coffee filled us up right through the afternoon. As fate would have it, both Brenda and Libby stopped in (on their day off) just as our food arrived! Great timing to see a couple good friends! We even had the chance to see the new "Libby Jane's" cafe under constructions two doors down! A bus ride down Fulton St led us back to our space at the Banjo stage. We were pretty much stationed their for a majority of the day (with the exception of moments of escaping the blaring sun and unusual October heat). After watching a few acts that were unfamiliar to us, Bonnie Raitt was set to come on at 5:45! With the exception of a 20-something year old girl, who felt it was her right to stand in front of me on our tarp (without the courtesy of asking), Bonnie's set was flawless! (security escorted this "you-don't-own-this-park-attitude" girl out before Bonnie's set!). Bonnie is a musical LEGEND, who at 64 can rock with the best of them! A couple highlights included an acoustic rendition of her classic "Angels From Montgomery" and "I Can't Make You Love Me". At one point she raised both her arms as if she were summoning something from above. At that moment a flock of birds flew gracefully over the stage. The crowd went crazy. Another magical moment at HSB! An amazing evening to say the least!