I have heard that phrase every August....for 40 years!
My husband and I just celebrated(?) our 40th wedding anniversary this month and every year he uses the occasion to remind me we had the opportunity to attend the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival and have a lot more fun!
So this year, since we were taking a brief car trip get away to Corning NY, I plotted a return route that would finally take us to Woodstock and free me from the mantra!
My first discovery was that the Woodstock festival wasn't in Woodstock at all. After many obstacles to production the promoters moved it to a cow field in Bethel NY ....."just down the road apiece". It was actually at least 50 miles away, but on the route...so we made the detour!
Now I knew a plaque had been erected and last year they had opened a small museum, but I wasn't prepared for what we found! 
But....a little more in the spirit (of peace and simplicity)....down at the bottom of the hill was the commemorative plaque! (you New Yorkers may have caught us on the evening news...we were interviewed by an AP correspondent who liked our story)
Can You Read Those Names??
We soon found out that the beautiful building we first saw was the Bethel Woods Music Hall. The museum tribute to "Woodstock" was in a separate area of the building.
Because this was the 40th anniversary month, there was a special acknowledgement of the occasion.
This says it all! 
This is the closest my husband will get to fulfilling his fantasy! 
No picture taking was allowed indoors so I have none of the exhibit itself but I can tell you there was lots of information and great presentations that were strangely able to make you feel you had ALMOST experienced just a bit of the moment!
Funny...when we left there I came close to agreeing...
We Shoulda Done Woodstock!!
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Concord NH Area Realtor
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Joan Mirantz - Joni is a Realtor® with Keeler Family Realtors, a locally owned, Customer Service oriented Firm.
Joan Publishes a monthly Newsletter "Food For Thought" under the pen name Realtor Sherpa.
(Joan also answers to Miz Maven and Miss Joni.)
Joan works in Buyer and Seller Representation with concentrations in the Merrimack Valley Area and towns surrounding Concord NH - the Capital City.
"I love what I do, and it shows in how I do it"
40 years after the fact is a little late, but it was still the event that many believe led to the end of the war, and the change in our lifestyle philosophies. The `1960's as a whole have probably had more of an effect in changing our lives than many would want to admit. For your husband, better late than never?
Thanks for the comments Ed...I agree
And for the record....we had a blast! (and were back in the moment...if only briefly)
Joni, i had the opportunity to go to the original Woodstock & blew it, too! We were trying to get to the Concord Hotel in Lake Kiamesha, NY that weekend, and had to give up and go back home because of the horrible traffic. Only later did we discover that the gridlock was caused by "A Weekend of Peace and Music" at Woodstock!
Were you a flower child? I was a lot more "peace and love" than my husband....he was relly into the music!
It was a riot seeing all the 60 somethings visiting the museum...Isn't that the lake right near there? Loks like we both missed our chance to be a part of "history"
Joan, love the wedding photo and especially the plus 40 yr later Woodstock tour. Great job.
Joan
I just heard that Canned Heat song the other day and started to remember all those great bands at Woodstock. I am a couple years younger than you but non the less that would have been a great time to attend. Perhaps you can make the next one.
Joni, You struck such a nerve, I was too young and not allowed to go. I had ideas of climbing out my bedroom window....now I'm sorry I didn't. I did know it was moved to Bethel and have long wanted to visit the site, you picked a perfect time! Wow, my friend, thanks for the memories....I relive the music quite often :)
Happy 40th Anniversary to you and Geoff! Now THAT's a milestone! I'm glad you finally got him broke in. ;)
Ahhh - Woodstock ... I think I was on the way there at one point, but we got lost ... it's kind of fuzzy. The '60s were kind of good to me. LOL
Glad you got to get away for a few days. Hope Geoff is feeling well. Tell him that his applause is a little out of step with the attire of the era. :)
What a reminder! I watched a special on TV Sunday and it showed the museum at the end. Love the music and I am glad to see you made finally made it to Woodstock. My biggest memory of Woodstock was a patch I sewed on my blue jeans. My dad hated those jeans after that... ;0)
Joanie,
I was there! Happy Anniversary to you and your Darlin'
Mike in Tucson
Gary....Glad you enjoyed it...and glad you are too young to remember it! LOL
Tom...actually the next one was last weekend! It wouldn't be the same....I'm too cynical now!
Carol...from what I saw at the museum....it was wild. Your parents were wise!
Carol...I hear you on the fuzzy. Now I know why we get along! These days I miss it a bit!!!LOL Thanks for the good wishes.
Leslie....everybodys parents hated Woodstock. It was what it stood for!
Michael, Michael, Michael....why am I not surprised! You are still a free to be Spirit.
Well this little flower child as trying to get to San Francisco... where I ended up living for over 25 years.... It must have been a great experience to see woodstock in person! I love the wedding picture!
You're back (or is it me that's been gone)...!!!!
Looks like you found a groovy way to permit your husband that one regret satisfied- how fun! And congrats on 40 years- that beats Woodstock any day!
Hi Joan...I always knew there was a bit of the flower child in you! It was definately a fun visit!! I'd be happy if I could even consider getting into that dress again....lordy, lordy!
Laurie...we've both been remiss! I've missed talking to you...yes....40 years is a very long time(and I am a very stubborn person!!)
Miss Joanie, I abeolutely love the whole thing. And you were a lovely bride...but then I never had any doubt you would have been otherwise.
Thank you Mr. Cherry! I think you are becoming a Facebook expert!!
Joni,
Love the pictures and the story is ever so cute...your husband sounds very romantic.
Did you see the story on the news about the couple who was in the original woodstock picture? They're still together all these years later, just like you and your sweetheart....so I agree, you should have done Woodstock and I'm glad to see you finally made it there.
((-;
Jo
Jo....I missed that story I would have liked to have read it. We were interviewed by ab AP guy when we were there but nothing came of it!
I'm glad we went too...sort of finishing up a loose end!