For the next 5 hours, everyone tried to sleep as best as they could in the cramped mini-van while I worked to put some serious distance between The Wilders and our 30 foot home-away-from-home. My eyes were burned out due to exhaustion and the intermittent rain but I focused them on a truck just ahead of us, allowing the driver to lead my way into the New Mexico morning. With the dawn approaching, I stopped for gas near the Arizona border and handed the keys to Nate. I don't remember much from that point on, but I soon awoke to see the brown landscape of Tucson out the window.
We arrived at the Voyager RV Resort at around 10:30am, met by Tucson angel, Don Meyer (see "Desert Angels II, Tucson, AZ"-June 13, 2004 in our blog archives for our first meeting with this fine gentleman) Don took our weary crew out to breakfast and then we returned to his RV to get organized for our flight and take some much needed showers. Don and his wife, Kay, had offered to take us to the Tucson airport and we gladly accepted their generosity, frankly glad to be rid of the responsibility of driving or repairing vehicles for the next few days. They dropped us at the Alaska Air terminal and we headed toward the airport security checkpoint. As a precautionary measure, we had planned to carry our instruments all the way to the gate so that they could be loaded on to the plane last on top of the rest of the baggage. We took off our shoes and piled our carry on luggage on the conveyer belt and as we sent our cases through the X-ray, I heard one officer shout, "They've got tools!". Also, the new pair of Levis that I wore through the metal detecter set off an alarm and I was taken aside, wanded and patted down while I watched one of the officers leaving with my banjo case. After a pair of my wire cutters, a small banjo wrench and Ike's multi-tool were confiscated, we were allowed to continue on into the boarding area. The exhaustion and stress were evident on everyone's faces but soon we were sitting, like lumps of drying clay, in the boarding area waiting for our plane.
I'm just lurking these days, have been pretty tied up with work and all. Not surprised that the road warriors have had colds, stress, lack of rest, and questionable nutrition wreck the immune system every time. You all are going to have to find a way to make these tours a little less exciting if you are going to hold up for the long haul.
ReplyDeleteSomething a bit spooky. Techn9ne (Kansas City rapper) wrecked a 15 passenger van while on tour driving through Montana to Spokane a couple of days ago. Rolled it 4 times, nobody seriously hurt. Be sure you guys use whatever caution you can muster.
ReplyDeleteHello all! I just may have to make the trek from St. Louis to Columbia this Friday. Does anyone have any inexpensive, CLEAN hotel reccommendations?
ReplyDeleteThanx.
Info for Gregory from sweetP
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going to school I stayed at motel 6 at the Stadium exit and it was clean.
I think my parents stayed at a Mariott Express and another blue sign
hotel at HWY63rd exit on I70 (even closer to MoJos) There are many
hotels at that exit and this is much closer than going all the way to
stadium as he's coming from St. Louis. The best way to mojo from there
is go one more exit south 63HWy to where Walmart is and turning right
there gets you on Broadway right near downtown and MoJos. Only minutes
away.
Thanx for the hotel suggestions. We just made a reservation at the Regency. I don't know how I will know who the fellow bloggers are at the show, but if you see two men together, smiling in a big way with enjoyment, you'll know it's us. Come say hello!
ReplyDeleteGregory.
Hello all. Yes, my partner Carl and I were there. We saw a few people looking at us, but didn't know if they were bloggers, or wanting to do mean things to us. :-) Just kidding. Anyway, we had a really nice time in Columbia. I wouldn't say it was the best Wilder's show we've seen, but we did enjoy ourselves. I was really hoping to meet some of ya'll, but I didn't know how to find anyone. (Maybe we should have provided physical descriptions?) Two, not so tall guys, standing in back mostly, since there was limited seating. We tried to get a table, but it only had one chair. Sitting on each others' laps didn't seem socially acceptable. But a lot of the things we do aren't. We then got to sit down over to the side, in back. The sound back there was rotten. We couldn't even understand what anyone on stage was saying. I talked to the sound guy, who was smoking, in a non-smoking event, and he did accomodate on the volume slightly. But, we just couldn't make out anything anyone was saying on stage, so we missed the introductions to the original songs. Oh well. Not every show can be awesome, right? We were simply amazed that Betse was able to play. She was looking like she felt pretty rotten.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe we will meet next time. We still had a good time. We stayed in a nearby hotel, so we were able to walk to the show. After the show, we went and got our vehicle, in search of late night junk food. We got harassed by some people on a street in front of a bar that was closing. We were definitely out of our element....2 white boyz (who like each other very much) in the wrong neighborhood apparently. They were pounding on the windows of our truck. Not good. Made us way nervous. But, we got through it, and talked to a cop shortly thereafter. I'm sure that made a difference. Yeah right.
The following morning, we did breakfast at Ernie's, then shopped around Columbia for awhile. We also brought our mountain bikes and did 20 miles on the Katy Trail, starting in Rocheport. What an enjoyable weekend!
Take care, all!
Greg.
Sorry I haven't finished the "We Tried" story. I promise to get everybody up to speed soon. We've all been busy "trying" again- but this time with a different vehicle. Stay tuned
ReplyDeleteI hate to spoil the suspense, but if we can finalize the price negotions, it will be the 1974 Dodge 4 wheel drive extended cab pickup with a camper shell on the back. To help out, anonymous donations sent directly to me will be accepted, preferably $20 bills shipped parcel post. I won't embarrass the Wilders by telling them about your contribution, and they will get on the road all the quicker.
ReplyDeleteHere is info from sweetP about the Wood Song radio station.
ReplyDeleteMO broadcasting of Woodsong Old Time Radio Hour:
KBIA 91.3 FM Columbia MO Saturday 7:00 p.m.
KKTR 89.7 FM Kirksville MO Saturday 7:00 p.m.
KBIA 89.9 FM Osage Beach MO Saturday 7:00 p.m.
KCLC 89.1 FM St. Charles/St. Louis MO Sunday 12 noon
WQRZ 103.5 FM Bay St. Louis MO Sunday 7:00 p.m.
More info from sweetP about the above post.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Peggy's question and to assist others in hearing the Wilders
on Woodsong, note the following, please.
In contacting my local public radio that is an affiliate to the
WoodSong Old Time Radio Hour I was told the following:
"We won't be rebroadcasting the live WoodSongs from Monday the 18th on
the 23rd. WoodSongs sends us all the current month's programs at the end
of the previous month. Perhaps the WoodSongs show taped on the 18th will
be repackaged as part of their series in the near future, in which case
we would be able to bring it to you."
So, in summary The Wilders will most likely show up on your local
affiliate public radio station, but not immediately (the week of April
18th). You most likely would hear it during the following month (May)
after WoodSong repackages and send the shows to the local station.