Days 60, 61 & 62 NEW YORK CITY to Hillsborough to Jersey City, New Jersey (83 Miles- 10,272 Miles Total)

These 3 day blogs really have to stop. But the last few days have been very exciting as we celebrated Thanksgiving, took in the last of New York and headed over the bay to New Jersey.

Thanksgiving evening was great fun as we took in the local area and ended up in a rather nice Irish American bar where there was no closing time. We chatted to the locals, drank with the barman and for the first time on this tour I felt we weren't tourists but guests and enjoying thanksgiving much the same way that a lot of other Americans do.

Friday brought Black Friday. Sales in the shops, queues round the block and a stinking hangover which I was strangely feeling in my thighs. We shopped, we saw (more) and in the evening took in another show in "Pal Joey" with the rather wonderful Stockard Channing. That brought an end to our time in New York (well we have a show there next Tuesday but we're in and out, so to speak). It may be obvious from this blog, but I loved New York. I loved everything about it. I was trying to find out from folk in the bar if they loved it too, or, as is the case for me in London, they hate what tourists love. You can't really see a city like NewYork in 3 days, but I liked what I saw and am keen for more. New York also did what I thought was impossible, it made me love London a little bit more as well.

On Saturday morning we headed to New Jersey for a couple of shows. We saw "Australia" which is a great film and then on Sunday we headed back to Jersey City just outside New York where we'll have a day off and then head in on Tuesday for 2 shows in downtown Manhattan.

That's that then, the last week has been immense. We're on the home stretch now, looking forward to getting home and being able to cook some food again (Anna's even dreaming about cooking)

Til then

Alan

State lines crossed 1 (45 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 1 (3 Total)

Days 57, 58 & 59 NEW YORK CITY (10,189 Miles Total)

Where to begin, where to begin. The greatest city in the world? Well yes probably. Everything from the people, to the sights, the shops, bars, restaurants, subway. I love everything about this city and as time goes on I only find more that I love. To summarise in 3 days we've

- Performed 2 shows
- Seen Gypsy with Patti Lupone
- Got drunk in piano bar off Broadway
- Taken advantage of the 24hour Subway
- Voyaged the Staten Island Ferry
- Walked downtown
- Seen Statue of Liberty
- Walked over Brooklyn Bridge
- Had haircut (well Anna did)
- Dined in Dumbo, Brooklyn
- Seen Black Watch at St Anns Warehouse
- Watched the Macy's thanksgiving day parade
- Walked round the Rockerfella
- Walked round Central Park
- Rowed a boat in Central Park
- Walked round Uptown

And here are some photos of all that:






And we still have a day to go. I'm sure you'll forgive me if I don't ramble on about all of the above. Safe to say Black Watch is the most amazing show I think I've ever seen.

I really can't find fault with this city, it all makes sense, you can't get lost as the street layout is so sensible, there's a story on every street corner.

Anyway, enough of the love letter to New York. We're having a great time and going back in for more

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (44 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 56 Concord to NEW YORK CITY (264 Miles- 10,189 Total)

Up early, 2 shows in New Hampshire, packed the van got going, yada yada yada and then arrived in NEW YORK CITY. Now I am aware of the irony in that whilst living in London I get annoyed by tourists, mystified as to why they get so excited by a grubby over priced stink hole and yet here I am giddy as can be staring at the New York Skyline ready to be set loose in one of the greatest cities on Earth.

My excitement will just have to wait a few more hours as we perform (now I can say I've performed in New York!) 2 shows tomorrow and then spend 3 days exploring. People laugh when you say touring is hard, they think an actor's work is just the few hours (well 55 mins in our case) on the stage and that's it. To be honest, acting is not a tough job, it's not coal mining, it's not serving on a front line in Iraq and its not a thousand other jobs that I consider to be REAL jobs. But that doesn't stop it being hard work some of the time, especially on tour. The miles, different cities, different beds, stinking diet, good shows, bad shows, they all add up and they all take their toll and sometimes you lose sight of why you do it, why it you love doing it, what makes you excited and then your tour van pulls into New York City and you remember that its for moments like this. I have spent a lot of time on this blog bemoaning lack of organisation, long days and a number of other things which at the end of the day don't really matter all that much. What I probably haven't said enough is that I love my job and I am very thankful to Olivia and Toby for allowing me to do my job with my wife by my side in New York City (to be honest I'd be thankful if the wife weren't by my side some of the time). So thanks x

Anyway I'm tired and have another early start, but I'm still smiling and I'm gonna try not to stop. I'll leave you with a picture of our newly branded van


Thanks

Alan

Today's Temp High: 11c
Today's Temp Low: 6c
State lines crossed 3 (44 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 55 Binghamton to Concord, New Hampshire (281 Miles- 9,925 Total)

Sunday's travel brought us just shy of the 10,000 mile mark as we crossed to New Hampshire for tomorrow's shows. With the temperature dropping we passed frozen rivers and lakes. One thing we have noticed with the east coast is a substantial increase in the places we can get tea, but even that couldn't have prepared me for the miraculous discovery we made at one gas station. Not content with a standard takeaway cup, this particular gas station sported a cup that left me full of wonder and awe at its ingenuity. I was so taken with the cup that I have made a short infomercial for it below (see how impressed Alex is)

Warmed by my tea we then traveled through Vermont and some of the most stunning scenery we've seen so far. Towering mountains and frozen lakes made the scenery spectacular and the drive an actual pleasure. As we wove through the mountain we found the temperature drop further and the photo below was one of the most painful experiences of the day, words cannot describe how cold I am when this was taken (of course had it been taken in Newcastle there would have been a guy in a Ben Sherman shirt and a woman in a mini skirt and boob tube supping a Bacardi Breezer next to us).

Now I'm in the comfort and warmth of a Comfort Inn, preparing for tonight's 2 hour TV special of "24" which is a prequel of season 7, due here in January (finally American TV starts to prove its worth).

Tomorrow, New York!!

Alan

Today's Temp High: 5c
Today's Temp Low: -8c
State lines crossed 2 (41 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 52, 53 & 54 Binghamton, New York (9,644 Total)

Well 3 days has zoomed by and my blog remains unwritten. Not since readers awaited Dickens' latest installment of "Great Expectations" has there been such anticipation. "What has kept you these 3 days" I hear you ask, "Surely life has been filled with amazing interest to keep you away from your Blog, tell all".

With 2 (almost) days off and a show day today we've remained in Binghamton and explored every delight it has to offer. A strange place, its a mix of faded industrial town and blossoming cultural hub. In between the closed shops, for sale signs and cold, cold snow there are nice cafes and bars with Jazz, good food and most importantly central heating.


After a restful day on Thursday our relaxation continued on Friday with the small matter of a local TV station requiring an interview at the end of the day, oh and could I be in Gruffalo outfit... nice. So we hopped down to the local station where they came up with the ingenious idea that the Gruffalo should hijack the interview with Alex and Karina. Always one happy to hijack a local TV broadcast I suited up and lay in wait. Alas we've not seen the footage but all seemed happy as a strange man in a hairy suit attacked both host and camera for all of ten seconds.


Not content with that for our days excitement, Anna and I went down to watch the local Ice Hockey team- Binghamton Senators. Now, its safe to say that all the teams I currently follow are pretty hopeless. All the England sporting teams, Newcastle United, even my short lived affinity for the Tampa Bay Rays ended in defeat. So the fact the Senators were hammered 3-0 and barely had a shot on target will not come as a huge surprise.


Today brought our first shows in a few days in the rather sweet and small Goodwill Theatre. The shows were great and it was real fun to do them in a small space again. The only slight downside was another rather batty producer. Despite a small auditorium of no more than 150 she seemed concerned at our choosing not to wear mics. Despite our assurances she seemed intent on giving us notes on how to speak to a "U.S" audience, despite the fact we 've done this show 50 odd times over here. Still always nice to have some feedback, especially from someone intent on calling the show The Groofalo, even after seeing it and hearing us say GrUffalo every few minutes. Ah well, everyone else was lovely and all is well.

Tomorrow we head for New Hampshire and then straight on to New York City on Monday. The weather is cold, the snow is deep and "Overboard" is on the telly.

Good stuff

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (39 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Day 51- Richmond to Binghamton, New York (409 Miles, 9,644 Total)

Our jaunt North finished on Day 51 as we pulled into Binghamton, New York (State, not city) for a 4 night stay. The journey was quite something as we went from the palm trees of Florida to the snow of Pennsylvania. Over 3 days we saw the seasons and colours change and I started to really appreciate how big this country is. The whole journey was 1,215 miles- that's more than 4 return trips from Newcastle to London. This place is massive, and as a result, it can be raging fires in the west, beautiful sunshine in the south, and crisp snowfall in the north. It's big (did I mention how big it was).



As always a day in the van brought little in the way of events worthy of reporting. It did allow me to finish a book I don't really understand, get annoyed when a stretch of interstate went down to single carriageway for no apparent reason, and wonder who is in charge of grammar use for signs in welcome centres (or maybe they're just getting down with the kidz!)


Binghamton is pleasant enough, we took in some nice grub and live music at the "Lost Dog Cafe". Next is a day off in the snow. Now where did I leave my sledge :)

Alan

State lines crossed 3 (39 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Day 50- Savannah to Richmond, Virginia (476 Miles, 9,235 Total)

Our journey into the freezing North continued today and as with all travel days not much to report. The only main event of the day was our lunch break, which we took at a place called "South of The Border"


Originally set up to sell liquor and fireworks to the folks of North Carolina (its just across the state line in South Carolina where it was legal to sell them) the place is now a sprawling mess of tat shops and madness. However, it being the middle of November and flippin freezin, it was like a ghost town today, with roller coaster and attractions all closed for the season, but still a rather special hat shop. Whilst it is an impressive aray of useless shops I still regard Wall Drug as my favourite Interstate tat paradise- but we were catching this place on a bad day.

So tomorrow we go North some more and it looks like we'll hit some snow as we reach our destination of Binghamton where we have a very civilised day off before a couple of shows.

Til then

Alan

State lines crossed 3 (36 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Day 49- Clearwater to Savannah, Georgia (351 Miles, 8759 Total)

Our last day in Florida brought a rarity. A good schools show. Normally the school shows are a bit unforgiving, especially if, as in this case, there are 1500 of the little oiks all screaming, shouting and generally not listening to a word you say.

However, this show was a pleasant surprise. Perhaps it was the high levels of teachers willing to participate but it was generally enjoyable for all involved.


They laughed when they were supposed to, shouted when we wanted them to, and most importantly, listened and shut up when they were supposed to. So we left Florida a happy bunch, and headed North on the 3 day trip to New York. This was not before we'd all signed a nice photo that the venues photographer had taken, another rarity, a Gruffalo publicity shot with us in it!


After the 350 mile drive up Florida and into Georgia we rested our sleepy heads in "historic" Savannah. In a change from the norm we actually found a place in the town that we could stay on budget. It was walking distance from some bars and restaurants and definitely had the coolest name and sign yet.


Today brings a long drive up North with the promise of cold, snow and terrible mix CDs. But all in all we're good, and happy. Bring on New York!

Alan

State lines crossed 1 (33 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 47 & 48 -Clearwater, Florida (8408 Total)

A day off followed by a 1 show day meant plenty of time to have a good old gander at Clearwater and the surrounding area. With that in mind we set off for some park land hoping to get a look at some Alligators, this was a close as we got.


The rest of the park was mostly pretty plants and the occasional Armadillo, but nonetheless still a nice afternoon. After that there was only one place I was headed. As a child growing up I was constantly frustrated by movies being released earlier in the USA than in the UK, however, now I am in the blinkin USA they have chosen to release the new Bond movie 2 weeks after its release in the UK- lovely. Anyway, after 2 weeks of avoiding all spoilers and plot revelations I dragged Anna to the local "movie theater" and settled in. Watching a film in the US is an interesting experience, the audiences are far more vocal, with oohs and aahs all the way. For the most part it was enjoyable, but the fella that picked up his mobile did vex me slightly!

Anna and I decided a late evening drink was in order and headed into the Tilted Kilt, which was rather busy as people took in something called "Ultimate Fighting Championship". Apparently its a sport but to me it looked more like 2 grown men rolling around, grunting a lot and then it all being over within a minute, whilst being watched by thousands. To be honest I didn't see the attraction. That, coupled with the loudest man in the world (even his clap was loud), meant we only had a couple before retreating for the evening.

Onto show day and a very big stage and barn of an auditorium, it was more like a rock concert than a piece of theatre. However, we are nothing if not adaptable and with a lovely lasagne and some veg soup in our bellies, courtesy of the theatre, we did our thing. Then it was off to the beach. Sun, sand, sea and simply freezing!

The beach we were on is supposed to be one of America's most beautiful, but with Florida's temperature dropping it was just plain cold and felt more like Whitley Bay (minus the girls in boob tubes vomiting into the shrubbery). I promptly retreated inland to read my book whilst Anna and Alex explored the wind swept shore, maybe the girs in boob tubes were further up water. After that it was nearly sunset so we headed down Pier 60 to catch the event, and pretty it was


So all that remains for us in Florida is a single show tomorrow then we begin the 3 day trip north to New York State (we don't hit the city till next week). So winter coats are at the ready as we enter the last 3 weeks of this leg. All in all we're still a happy bunch, especially since we get to go to the Tilted Kilt again this evening :)

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (32 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 45 & 46 -West Palm Beach to Clearwater, Florida (247 Miles, 8408 Total)

I am currently crouched in the corner of a hotel room that claims to have wireless Internet. Apparently that only covers this inch of carpet that I am currently balanced on. Still, never let it be said I would let such a thing get in the way of my reporting from the front line.

Over the last few days we have experienced some more of Palm beach's lovely hospitality and then rolled on up the Florida coast (and across a bit) to Clearwater, Tampa. Our last full day in West Palm allowed us to take in some more beaches, and then Anna and I went to see a show at the theatre we're performing in, entitled "Dixie's Tupperware Party!" which was basically a very funny drag act with the opportunity to buy Tupperware. It has to be said, never before had I realised how much of a miracle Tupperware is. I came out of the show, not only entertained, but with a serious desire to buy some Tupperware. As for Dixie, the act is brilliant as she/he really does sell Tupperware and really loves it. He/She's the second top salesperson in the U.S and seems to have carved a niche in turning a standard form of selling Tupperware into an off-Broadway touring show (as well as coming up with some fairly disgusting thigs you can do with Tupperware)- genius.

Well now we're in Clearwater, and the weather is still warm but on the turn and a there are a few storms brewing. Last night we sampled the food at a place called "The Tilted Kilt". Now if all Scotsmen wore there kilts the way the ladies in the Tilted Kilt do then there wouldn't be much left to the imagination.

Sorry no pictures, but the lack of internet is creeping toward my inch of carpet as we speak. Off to see some Gators now

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (32 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 43 & 44 -West Palm Beach, Florida (241 Miles, 8161 Total)

What a difference a day off makes. Refreshed, relaxed, rejuvenated and basically any other words beginning with "re" describes the feeling in the camp today.

The day off itself was nice and chilled as we took in a beach catching the end of hurricane Palemo which breezed through Cuba a few days ago with it's tail winds still blowing our way (please note the presence of my dear wife in the photo below, a retort to all those who say I don't mention her enough in)



After the beach we strolled, ate, drank (Anna a little too much maybe) and generally relaxed. Something typified by Anna's drunken scribblings on my napkin


And aided by a chance to sample some the home brew...


But alas days off cannot last forever, hell on this tour they sometimes don't even last a day. But fear not blog watchers. Today's return to work was a happy one. Its safe to say West Palm's theatre could not be more different from our previous stop, Wesley Chapel. Where there was chaos, there was order (the get in took 45 mins!). Where there had been no food, Breakfast was provided. Where once a dirty shower filled with wood had stood, there was 2 pristine showers with seats in. Yes the Kravis Centre, West Palm felt like and is a proper theatre. In fact we even managed to finish both shows today, something unthinkable in Wesley Chapel.

All in all we're good, and tonight promises some seafood, a few mojitos and the merest of 1 shows tomorrow before going back to the beach.

As the sign in the bar said last night "Drink til she's cute"

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (32 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Day 42 -Wesley Chapel to West Palm Beach, Florida (241 Miles, 8161 Total)

This tour just gets more bizarre as it goes on. Day 42 brought a get in, 2 shows within 30 minutes of each other (reduced to 15 minutes when the first show went up late) and then a 4 hour drive to West Palm Beach- nice. So before we'd even started this day was set to be tough. This was before we'd even set foot in one of the most bizarre venues so far. Part school, part theatre the place was run by a man who seemed unwilling to let us talk directly to the technical crew without him being involved. It was a theatre he called state of the art despite the fact it lacked showers (apart from one in the set workshop that was filled with wood!)

Anyway we dance when asked to and the first show ambled by uneventful. A quick change followed and straight back on for the next show. This show was strange from the outset as the man who ran the theatre gave a speech before the show instructing the children not to talk, move, even breathe during the show. Of course this meant the show was a hoot with not so much as a murmur from terrified school children. The day just went from bizarre to ridiculous at the end of the show. We'd just got to the last few minutes when suddenly a siren went off followed by the words "Attention! An emergency situation has been detected. Please leave the building immediately". At that time we continued, as the usual procedure in these situations is to keep going until a stage manager informs you otherwise. I looked to the wing and the in house technician informed me to keep going and they would sort the alarm. So we attempted to keep going only to be foiled by the ever present manager of the theatre who had got hold of a microphone and was now proclaiming that everyone remain calm and in their seats. So faced with battling against an alarm, a mad theatre manager and an exodus for the doors we left the stage and awaited instruction. "Its Ok" proclaimed the manager to the audience "You only missed the end bit and the curtain call". And that was that, Gruffalo show 43 never officially finished, we packed up our kit and got out of Wesley Chapel as quick as we could.

So here we are now in West Palm Beach, the sun is shining, the hotel is nice and we have a day off. So I'm off to enjoy that whilst I can. Ot transpired afterward that a rogue child had pulled the emergency alarm, maybe the Gruffalo was just too much for them.

Hope everyone is well

Alan

State lines crossed 0 (32 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Day 41 -Florence to Wesley Chapel, Florida (481 Miles, 7920 Total)

Interstates, Gas Stations, State lines and Motels, Sat Navs and stop signs and traffic and munchies, cold turkey sandwiches, cheese and donuts these are a few of my favourite things.

Well not favourite but these are certainly the things that are dominating the tour at the moment. Today brought more mileage as we finally reached Florida for the shows this week.


Its safe to say the driving has been relentless and whilst some may say 8 hours in a van is not a days work, when you add it all together it soon gets to be hard work. Anyway, we're here, fed and watered, tomorrow brings one of those 7am get ins we really love, followed by 2 shows, a Q&A and then, then 280 miles to West Palm Beach. Swell

So, here you have picture, blog and the company has its pound of flesh. I hope to be more amusing soon

Goodnight

Alan

State lines crossed 2 (32 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (2 Total)

Days 39 & 40 -Charlottesville to Florence, South Carolina (390 Miles, 7439 Total)

I love driving, i am a rare breed in that I look forward to driving, relish the twists and turns the wheel at my hand. However, its safe to say that after 7439 miles of it I could do with a break. However, there are no signs of that as we are in the midst of one of our most intensive travel periods of the tour. Tonight we're in a motel midway to Florida after a long day at the wheel, but more of that later.

Yesterday's theatre in Charlottesville was fantastic, a real old playing house where it was a joy (just) to do 3 shows. The dressing rooms were kitted out with classic chairs and dressing tables, like something from the 1930s.



It also provided a rare chance to perform in the evening which is always fun. Whilst schools shows provide thousands of screaming children not listening to a word you say intent on chaos, evening family shows provide a suitable mix of parent and child so all gags work and you can actually enjoy yourself. Safe to say we did enjoy ourselves and were suitably knackered afterward.


However, a new day brought fresh enthusiasm for this big old country and being 20 minutes away from Shenandoah National Park we thought it rude to not pay a visit. The place is stunning, and whilst we only had a few hours there we saw some amazing sites and witnessed something not many see.


Apparently this only happens once every few years but today in Shenandoah National Park, the cafe till ran out of receipt paper. Unsure what to do the assistant asked, well she asked the other assistant who in turn asked the chef who then spoke to the manager who had swallowed fly, we don't know why he'd swallowed a fly perhaps he'll die. After several attempts and with the queue building the pressure was on. I got the feeling these people weren't used to the pressure. Chili was cooking, burgers waiting, hungry people grew impatient but luckily the crack team held their nerve and the changing of the till receipt took only 20 minutes- phew!

Anyway, the detour to Shenandoah did mean an almighty effort to get the miles in today. Stops were minimised, Karina had to explore new bladder capacity, but we all made it, and now we all need to sleep. Tomorrow brings Florida, Monday brings 2 shows ridiculously close together, and then a 300 mile trip, Tuesday brings a rarity... a day off. Maybe they'll be able to find another booking before then to make these monkeys dance harder.

Sleep tight!

Alan

State lines crossed 2 (30 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 1 (2 Total)

Day 38 -Wilkesboro to Charlottesville, Virginia (262 Miles, 7049 Total)

Proof that all things in Obama world are rosier was evident at The Walker Center, Wilkesboro today as we put on 2 cracking shows. Certainly for me the 2 most enjoyable shows so far they were filled with a fun and energy that if you could bottle would be priceless to actors. That's not to say that the shows aren't usually fun and energetic (well the latter maybe) but sometimes a set of events clicks and you can just go that extra yard in a show. I wish I knew why. It should also be said that whilst one actor thinks they are doing the show of their lives, someone else on stage is hating every minute. There is no science to it, no why or wherefore, but for whatever reason today's shows were fun, I even learnt to moonwalk!


Of course it wouldn't be a show day without a 300 mile journey afterward. As you can see below the van is suffering as the miles stack up, and the graveyard on the windscreen isn't helped by ridiculously high temperatures for November (I'm in shorts!!). I'm spending the gap in between shows tomorrow looking for a wet T shirt car wash.


So all is good in Gruffalo world as we enter the last stage of the tour, the next few days promises a trip through Shenandoah national park and then Florida!! The only thing left puzzling us is who the guy is in the photo we found by the van last night?


Still smiling at Obama

Yes we can

Alan

State lines crossed 1 (28 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (1 Total)

Day 37 -Lexington to Wilkesboro, North Carolina (390 Miles, 6787 Total)

The morning after the night before and suddenly everything is a little nicer. Our drive today took us through West Virginia and the newly democratic state of Virginia to North Carolina. The scenery was stunning as we ventured through, round and over mountains galore.

Of course the world and the eastern side of the USA looked a lot nicer for another reason. With President Elect Barack Obama firmly waiting in the wings America has a new look to it. It goes without saying that last night was sensational, historic and a load of other equally euphoric words. It represented something quite amazing for the future of this planet as America proved itself capable of grasping an opportunity for change with both hands. Forgive me if I appear condescending toward Uncle Sam but I think a lot of people thought that the usually conservative leaning America might let this one pass and take the safe option. Thankfully for all of us they haven't and now all the negative ads and tactics and all the name calling means nothing. Now the road is clear and the opportunity to make something quite special happen is there. Lets wait and see eh?

As for our little theatre tour, as I said today was spent mostly in a van but we did cross a few state lines. Virginia's state line came to us with a promise of a warm welcome with milk and cookies. Alas the half open centre could barely manage working toilets


The next 2 days bring 5 shows, 300 miles and probably some very grumpy actors. But right now none of that matters. Tonight the world is a better place



Yes We Can

Alan

State lines crossed 3 (27 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (1 Total)

That's that then

And so it is then at 11pm Eastern Time every US network in the land called the election OBAMA!!

It has to be said its an odd thing. In the UK we have journalists broadcasting from school halls waiting until a returning officer delivers the outcome. Here the networks are king and they watch the votes and then project who will win, sometimes with only 10% counted- which is madness. So at 10:59pm ET here the count stood at 220 for Obama then as soon as the polls closed on the west coast the place went beserk as they all called the West Coast for Obama and that took him over the line and to the White House.

So whilst I don't agree with the electoral process I can't help but be overjoyed at the outcome. Here is a man that the world can proudly stand by and call the leader of the free world. His campaign was one of hope not fear, people voted in hope of things to come, not fear of what had gone. Whilst I understand some at home questioning why we care so much about an election that isn't ours, the point is that we share a bed with America, when they fart we smell it, and we should care about who we share the world with and happily tonight we're sharing it with an America with Barack Obama as president

Yes We Can!

Alan

Days 35 & 36 -Iola to Lexington, Kentucky (686 Miles, 6397 Total)

ELECTION DAY and I'm all set. Beer, chips and dips, and NBC all tuned in as all the talking stops and the people have their say.

The last 2 days have seen us leave sleepy Iola (via a place in Kansas called Garnett which Karina got very excited about- her surname is Garnett) and we're headed toward Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

I'm sure interesting things have happened over the last 2 days but I can't really focus on that as the election is currently all consuming. Barack is ahead at the moment and my earlier bad feelings seem to be ill founded. Anyway, I'm rambling and have to get back to watching. More soon (but you're all asleep so you'll probably read all this as one anyway)

Alan

State lines crossed 3 (24 Total)
Time Zones crossed 1 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (1 Total)

0 Days to Election

Bumper sticker/ Yard sign/ Anything else advertising a candidate count:
Obama 144
McCain 79

Don't Vote!

Days 33 & 34 -Des Moines to Iola, Kansas (301 Miles, 5711 Total)

2 more days tick by to the election and the race hots up. Certain right wing groups are investing heavily in anti- Obama ads and you get the feeling that whoever gets in, somewhere something will kick off. Below is an example of an ad. None of these are paid for by McCain. It seems he'd getting his right wing cronies to do the dirty on his behalf.




As for us we had a nice day off in Des Moines. We took in the state Capitol and of course the statue of the lady with her boobs out



We ambled through the east village shops, including a nice visit to a shop of second hand goods where the owner plied us with M&Ms and wassail! Yup, with Halloween out of the way the Christmas drive has begun, we even heard our first Christmas song in Walmart today, as well as seeing our first tree. As we left the second hand store the owner said "keep your fingers crossed for a good election", she didn't say who she was supporting, and to be honest she didn't need to. If only crossing fingers were enough, it has to be said that as time goes on and the McCain campaign gets more desperate and slings more mud, the more worried I get for the outcome. The prospect of a McCain victory is frightening and, at the moment, just not worth thinking about. Later on that day we passed an early voting centre that had queues forming around the block. Its difficult to believe that in a such a proud democratic nation it requires a 4 hour wait in a line to even have a chance of casting a vote.


Even then the republican efforts to suppress the vote continue, its a bona fide tactic that they hope will get their guy in. I daresay if its close we could have another 2000 situation as republicans attempt to get legitimate ballots discounted as false, or spoiled. Some democracy. By the people and for the people as long as the people do what we want.

The rest of our day took us to an "English" pub where we whiled away a few hours getting homesick and studying the English tat on the wall, one piece of which was a picture of Petergate Fisheries in York, a picture Anna insisted on posing next to in a shameless attempt to get mentioned in the Blog.


When she quizzed the barman it transpired the 7 owners had gone on a recky to England when researching the bar and assembled their tat from that.

Today we've gone South to Iola, Kansas. Certainly the most remote point we've been to we're here a mere day before eventually heading east to North Carolina and something more like a civilisation than deepest darkest Kansas. By the time we get there America will have a new president. We'll be taking in the results from a motel on the road, probably in Kentucky. I'll be blogging frequently through the night for anyone that cares, but before then 2 shows and a few hundred miles.

Be good

Alan

State lines crossed 2 (21 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (2 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (1 Total)

2 Days to Election

Bumper sticker/ Yard sign/ Anything else advertising a candidate count:
Obama 143
McCain 75