I knew it would wonderful to return to the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival.  But something unexpected happened to me.  Instead of feeling like it was a whole new day at a whole new faire, it felt more like old times.  It was the familiar streets of Morelandshire, the faces of old friends, and the return of the magic that I'm so used to feeling.  The first day of the faire didn't feel like we were back after two years.  It felt like I had been there yesterday, and the day before. There were changes, of course.  Mostly changes for the better.  A few -- not so much.  But the essence of the place, the magic of the intangible, is still there.  It was good to be home.

This weekend we traveled to the Great Lakes Medieval Faire.  It is one of my favorite faires, aside from my home faire in Pittsburgh.  This faire is relatively small, and they make up for it by packing it full of great stage acts, music, and an excellent street cast.  I haven't seen their numbers, but they don't seem to draw as many as Pittsburgh. Yet they still manage first-class entertainment.  They've got everything from Hack & Slash to The Rogues and The Pyrates Royale.  Plus, everywhere I look I see a friendly face.  I see friends from Pittsburgh, vendors that I know, stage acts that I've met before, and my new friends from Ohio.  Don't get me wrong!  Pittsburgh will always be home, but GLMF feels like home.  And it's a good feeling.