The Carolyn

Carolyn Elizabeth Adams was born on May 6, 1946, in Poughkeepsie, New York. She attended Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park but was expelled shortly after. In 1963, she moved to Palo Alto, California, where she worked in an organic chemistry lab analyzing psychiatric drugs until she was fired for experimenting with psychedelic substances.

In early 1964, Carolyn met Neal Cassady, who introduced her to Ken Kesey and his group known as the Merry Pranksters. She became part of their inner circle at La Honda, California, Kesey's base, and received the nickname 'Mountain Girl.' During this period, she became romantically involved with Kesey and had a daughter named Sunshine.

In 1965, Kesey was arrested for marijuana possession and fled to Mexico. Upon returning, he and Carolyn Garcia were arrested together for smoking marijuana on a rooftop in San Francisco. This event marked the turbulent lifestyle associated with the Merry Pranksters and their experimentation with psychedelic culture during the 1960s.

Carolyn entered into a relationship with fellow Prankster George Walker and married him in 1966. The marriage was short-lived, as they separated later that same year in December and divorced in 1978. This period was marked by continued connections to the countercultural movements of the time.

Following her separation from George Walker, Carolyn began a relationship with Jerry Garcia, lead vocalist and guitarist of the Grateful Dead. They raised Sunshine along with two other daughters while living together in San Rafael and Stinson Beach, California. Though they did not marry initially, their partnership was significant during a formative time in Garcia's career.

Carolyn and Jerry Garcia separated in 1975 after Garcia began a relationship with filmmaker Deborah Koons. They reconciled in 1977 but stopped living together by 1978 due largely to Garcia's struggles with heroin and cocaine addiction. This period underscores the challenges faced by the couple amidst Garcia's rising fame and personal difficulties.

In late 1981, Carolyn and Jerry Garcia married, partly for tax reasons and partly due to an enduring affection. Their marriage marked a renewed attempt at stability. This arrangement continued until Garcia fell into a diabetic coma in 1986, during which Carolyn played an essential role in his recovery.

Jerry Garcia entered a diabetic coma in 1986, a critical moment in his life and career. Carolyn's involvement was crucial during his recovery phase, demonstrating her commitment and influence. However, after his recovery, their relationship gradually deteriorated as Garcia began an extramarital relationship and had a child with Manasha Matheson.

Carolyn and Jerry Garcia divorced in 1994 but maintained a friendship until his death. During this time, Garcia rekindled his relationship with Deborah Koons, whom he married in early 1994. Shortly after the Grateful Dead's 1995 summer tour, Garcia passed away in August 1995, marking the end of an era in rock history.

Following Jerry Garcia's death, Carolyn was involved in legal proceedings related to their divorce settlement, eventually agreeing to a substantial financial settlement. She remains active in philanthropic and advocacy work, serving on the boards of the Rex Foundation, Furthur Foundation, and the advisory board of the Marijuana Policy Project. She lives near her daughter on the Kesey family farm in Oregon.