In no particular order:
Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, nice crews, bad crews, good food, bad food, sunshine, snow, great cities, beautiful hamlets, pushy presenters, sub standard venues, sub standard digs, great audiences, screaming children, screaming adults, teachers who smile, teachers who frown, great books, rubbish books, mix Cd's that worked, mix Cd's that really didn't, gas stations that let us fill up without a zip code and those that made me shout very loud, continental breakfasts that wouldn't know a croissant if you threw it in there face, stunning scenery, flat boring drives, great exchange rates, ok exchange rates, bloody awful exchange rates, you've got to be kidding me exchange rates, winners, losers, hope over fear, change over none, Obama over McCain, too many adverts, static electricity, google map searches for anywhere to eat that meant we didn't need to get in that van again, 1 speeding warning, a van in one piece, 13,105 miles, 71 days, 24 venues, 3 actors, 1 stage manger and 1 smelly Gruffalo suit!
America is a strange, wonderful, mad country, but its a grand madness and we'll be back for more in January.
Merry Christmas and thank you for reading the blog
See you soon
Alan
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Day 71 - Black River Falls to Minneapolis, Minnesota (153 Miles- 11,835 Total)
Day 71 has come and gone and I find myself sat in an airport hotel room contemplating the last few hours, days, and months. Today was a doddle compared to previous days' travel. However, not content with an easy day we woke to find a van covered in snow, roads covered in ice, and an ominous looking sky glaring down. The U.S anchors have been having a field day with the winter storm that hit last night, a combination of 2 weather fronts bringing with it lashings of snow, rain, ice. Hell throw in an ark, 2 of each animal and you've got yourself a storm of biblical proportions. In truth some snow fell overnight and it meant we had to clear our van (or rather Alex did)
The ice on the road, however, was something a little more daunting. It has to be said that for a huge country America does snap into action during the snow. Interstates were clear, junctions unblocked and away we went. Perhaps it was the total lack of anything looking menacing that lured us into a false sense of security, and so it was that as we crept toward 60mph (very slowly might I say in my defence) we hit a patch of ice. What followed was all a bit of a blur and like nothing I've experienced whilst driving before (well at least since I fell asleep at the wheel after Glastonbury, Jim still hasn't forgiven me). As the van skidded every instinct says break, but if you break hard then you flip, skid, and end up in a ditch. I can't say my reactions were premeditated, it was all far too quick, I just attempted to keep the wheel straight without over steering, pushed on the break gently, but in truth it was the traction control, the abs and a load of other whizzy stuff that meant we soon straightened and continued onward (at a much more cautious speed). Now before Anna calls and shouts at me, and Jim thinks "yup he's never changed" I would like to add that at no stage were we in danger of death, merely a bump or 2 on the van (this is due to the low speed I was already keeping). Secondly there was no preparing for what happened other than to not drive at all, we were under the limit, driving carefully and it was those things that meant we didn't crash and kept driving. Thanks in part to the helpful and soothing influence of slightly shaken passengers Alex and Karina.
As I said it would have been a tad annoying to have had a bump so late in the day. The rest of the journey didn't provide the most delightful of conditions as the continuing ice meant it was like driving on glass for the most part. But, I stress, we're here and we're well.
So we got to Minneapolis we dropped off set in what promises to be a lovely theatre to be resident at for 6 weeks in January, and then checked in to our airport hotel. By then it was time to say goodbye to a good friend as after a grand total (starting mileage to finish, including all theatre, restaurant and other journeys) of 13,105 miles, or if you like over 21 trips from John O Groats to Lands End, it was time to return the van. I am pleased to say (and I think my employers will be as well) that it was returned without a scratch, dent, or mark on it (apart from the ton of snow on the roof, I am using brackets a lot today). The distances we've covered in the last 2 months have been quite immense and only possible because Alex and Karina have kept me and Anna entertained with idle chatter, crappy radio stations, and all the sherbert lemons you can ever eat.
That's that then, we fly at 10 tomorrow, I go get drunk in about an hour, and soon this will all be a distant memory that I bore you all with in the pub.
I'll post a tour epilogue in the next day or so, but thanks for reading, if I have caused offence (primarily to anyone that may employ me) I apologise, all that has been written has been meant in jest and it goes without saying that I would not change a second of this trip (well apart from the madness that was Weley Chapel). If it was all plain sailing then there'd be nothing to write about
Alan
Final Mileage 13,105 Miles
State lines crossed 1 (67 Total)
Time Zones crossed 1 (4 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
The ice on the road, however, was something a little more daunting. It has to be said that for a huge country America does snap into action during the snow. Interstates were clear, junctions unblocked and away we went. Perhaps it was the total lack of anything looking menacing that lured us into a false sense of security, and so it was that as we crept toward 60mph (very slowly might I say in my defence) we hit a patch of ice. What followed was all a bit of a blur and like nothing I've experienced whilst driving before (well at least since I fell asleep at the wheel after Glastonbury, Jim still hasn't forgiven me). As the van skidded every instinct says break, but if you break hard then you flip, skid, and end up in a ditch. I can't say my reactions were premeditated, it was all far too quick, I just attempted to keep the wheel straight without over steering, pushed on the break gently, but in truth it was the traction control, the abs and a load of other whizzy stuff that meant we soon straightened and continued onward (at a much more cautious speed). Now before Anna calls and shouts at me, and Jim thinks "yup he's never changed" I would like to add that at no stage were we in danger of death, merely a bump or 2 on the van (this is due to the low speed I was already keeping). Secondly there was no preparing for what happened other than to not drive at all, we were under the limit, driving carefully and it was those things that meant we didn't crash and kept driving. Thanks in part to the helpful and soothing influence of slightly shaken passengers Alex and Karina.
As I said it would have been a tad annoying to have had a bump so late in the day. The rest of the journey didn't provide the most delightful of conditions as the continuing ice meant it was like driving on glass for the most part. But, I stress, we're here and we're well.
So we got to Minneapolis we dropped off set in what promises to be a lovely theatre to be resident at for 6 weeks in January, and then checked in to our airport hotel. By then it was time to say goodbye to a good friend as after a grand total (starting mileage to finish, including all theatre, restaurant and other journeys) of 13,105 miles, or if you like over 21 trips from John O Groats to Lands End, it was time to return the van. I am pleased to say (and I think my employers will be as well) that it was returned without a scratch, dent, or mark on it (apart from the ton of snow on the roof, I am using brackets a lot today). The distances we've covered in the last 2 months have been quite immense and only possible because Alex and Karina have kept me and Anna entertained with idle chatter, crappy radio stations, and all the sherbert lemons you can ever eat.
That's that then, we fly at 10 tomorrow, I go get drunk in about an hour, and soon this will all be a distant memory that I bore you all with in the pub.
I'll post a tour epilogue in the next day or so, but thanks for reading, if I have caused offence (primarily to anyone that may employ me) I apologise, all that has been written has been meant in jest and it goes without saying that I would not change a second of this trip (well apart from the madness that was Weley Chapel). If it was all plain sailing then there'd be nothing to write about
Alan
Final Mileage 13,105 Miles
State lines crossed 1 (67 Total)
Time Zones crossed 1 (4 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Monday, 8 December 2008
Days 69 & 70 - Utica to Toledo, Ohio to Black River Falls, Wisconsin (995 Miles- 11,682 Total)
2 days, 48 hours, 2880 minutes, 172800 seconds. Whatever way you look at it we've covered lots of miles in not so long a period of time. The drive across the Northern states is a treacherous one at this time of year and these 995 miles have been eventful to say the least.
We've had white outs, where there is so much snow you can't see the vehicle in front. Ice rain, this one's my favourite, as the rain lands on your windscreen it freezes instantly and if your wipers are as bad as ours then it don't move, thus rendering you blind. But these wintry showers have been short lived and for the most part we've enjoyed the usual mix of other idiotic drivers sitting in the outside lane when you want to overtake, stunning scenery, dodgy mix Cd's, tat filled service stations and hotel rooms that all look very similar.
Tonight the Mid West has been hit by a rather large snow storm that hit just as we were done for the day, so we're settled in for the night. Thanks to the good time we've made over the last few days we should get to Minneapolis in a couple of hours tomorrow. Then we dump the set, dump the van, and have one last night in an all too familiar hotel room before heading home (via Texas of course, because that is the most direct route if you want to go to the UK... via CHEAPOLAND!!)
So tomorrow's blog will be the last one pre Xmas. I suppose I'd better remember to write it
See you all soon
Alan
State lines crossed 5 (66 Total)
Time Zones crossed 1 (4 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
We've had white outs, where there is so much snow you can't see the vehicle in front. Ice rain, this one's my favourite, as the rain lands on your windscreen it freezes instantly and if your wipers are as bad as ours then it don't move, thus rendering you blind. But these wintry showers have been short lived and for the most part we've enjoyed the usual mix of other idiotic drivers sitting in the outside lane when you want to overtake, stunning scenery, dodgy mix Cd's, tat filled service stations and hotel rooms that all look very similar.
Tonight the Mid West has been hit by a rather large snow storm that hit just as we were done for the day, so we're settled in for the night. Thanks to the good time we've made over the last few days we should get to Minneapolis in a couple of hours tomorrow. Then we dump the set, dump the van, and have one last night in an all too familiar hotel room before heading home (via Texas of course, because that is the most direct route if you want to go to the UK... via CHEAPOLAND!!)
So tomorrow's blog will be the last one pre Xmas. I suppose I'd better remember to write it
See you all soon
Alan
State lines crossed 5 (66 Total)
Time Zones crossed 1 (4 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Day 68- Hanover to Utica, New York (240 Miles 10,687 Total)
Last call. The final show before Christmas is over and done with and it was rather lovely. A sold out public show ensured a festive atmosphere and a good time had by all. Now begins the long trek to Minneapolis. It says something that everyone we have mentioned our trip to over the last few days has reacted with a combination of horror, wonder and a look of "are you stupid?". We've made it alright so far, getting as far as Utica, New York State. Tomorrow the aim is Ohio, a cool 500 miles away with Lake Eerie to the North providing some delightful winter weather.
Still with several mix Cd's to warm our cockles and Alex's renditions of all the Tall Stories' songs we should be OK.
Now, having discovered the wonder of Itunes movie downloads I am going to settle in and watch a nice flick. The stage manager can take time off more often.
Alan
State lines crossed 6 (61 Total) - It should be noted that to get from venue to hotel we cross from New Hampshire into Vermont and then back into New Hampshire again
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Still with several mix Cd's to warm our cockles and Alex's renditions of all the Tall Stories' songs we should be OK.
Now, having discovered the wonder of Itunes movie downloads I am going to settle in and watch a nice flick. The stage manager can take time off more often.
Alan
State lines crossed 6 (61 Total) - It should be noted that to get from venue to hotel we cross from New Hampshire into Vermont and then back into New Hampshire again
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Friday, 5 December 2008
Day 67- Hanover, New Hampshire (10,447 Miles Total)
Strange things tours. There are highs, lows. Good venues, bad venues. Nice hotels, awful hotels. You get the idea. It is now safe to say that this tour is not only ending in the nicest venue we've been to so far, it is the nicest town, with the nicest people, nicest audience's, nicest restaurants. Just plain swell.
Today we arrived to tea and bagels, our washing done, and 2 shows to do. The second was of particular interest as it is the first of two without Anna (you got that- the second show is the first of two without Anna, follow the path of serpents to the crystal kingdom and pat the goblin on your way up the crooked staircase). Anyway, I digress. Safe to say the shows were great. Despite being schools' shows which we approach with a fair amount of trepidation, the reactions were great, and despite the absence of our wonderful Stage Manager for show 2 all was good in our deep dark wood.
Speaking of my lovely wife she is now on a plane safely to Newark where she will change to another plane that will get her into Manchester, UK at 0730 GMT Saturday morning. From there she will have an espresso go to her Sister's wedding, maybe have a couple more espresso's before no doubt keeling over and sleeping for Britain. But the fact she can get there in the first place is a wonder in itself and I have to say I am gutted to not be with her.
Still we have another show tomorrow that is well sold and to the PUBLIC of all people. Then begins the long ride home. At the moment, as the crow flies, we are 3,275 miles from London. To get there however, we will journey 1,365 miles in our van to Minneapolis over 3 days. Then get a plane 1,054 miles south to Houston, Texas (3 hours) then get another plane 4,860 miles to London (10 hours). So a total travel time of 3 days 13 hours, traveling 7,279 miles to get to somewhere currently half that distance from us in over 3 times the time. All of this after 2 and half months on the road traveling 10,447 miles so far. (Got that tour bookers?) Our average speed from tomorrow til we get home is 85mph.
But who cares about statistics. Who cares about extra wages to be paid for the long journey home, the extra hotel bills, the extra petrol money, who cares I tell you. All that matters is right now I am sat in a homely hotel opposite a mechanical Santa who's arm moves rather worryingly up and down in the nicest town this side of the Atlantic.
Still smiling
Alan
State lines crossed 6 (55 Total) - It should be noted that to get from venue to hotel we cross from New Hampshire into Vermont and then back into New Hampshire again
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Today we arrived to tea and bagels, our washing done, and 2 shows to do. The second was of particular interest as it is the first of two without Anna (you got that- the second show is the first of two without Anna, follow the path of serpents to the crystal kingdom and pat the goblin on your way up the crooked staircase). Anyway, I digress. Safe to say the shows were great. Despite being schools' shows which we approach with a fair amount of trepidation, the reactions were great, and despite the absence of our wonderful Stage Manager for show 2 all was good in our deep dark wood.
Speaking of my lovely wife she is now on a plane safely to Newark where she will change to another plane that will get her into Manchester, UK at 0730 GMT Saturday morning. From there she will have an espresso go to her Sister's wedding, maybe have a couple more espresso's before no doubt keeling over and sleeping for Britain. But the fact she can get there in the first place is a wonder in itself and I have to say I am gutted to not be with her.
Still we have another show tomorrow that is well sold and to the PUBLIC of all people. Then begins the long ride home. At the moment, as the crow flies, we are 3,275 miles from London. To get there however, we will journey 1,365 miles in our van to Minneapolis over 3 days. Then get a plane 1,054 miles south to Houston, Texas (3 hours) then get another plane 4,860 miles to London (10 hours). So a total travel time of 3 days 13 hours, traveling 7,279 miles to get to somewhere currently half that distance from us in over 3 times the time. All of this after 2 and half months on the road traveling 10,447 miles so far. (Got that tour bookers?) Our average speed from tomorrow til we get home is 85mph.
But who cares about statistics. Who cares about extra wages to be paid for the long journey home, the extra hotel bills, the extra petrol money, who cares I tell you. All that matters is right now I am sat in a homely hotel opposite a mechanical Santa who's arm moves rather worryingly up and down in the nicest town this side of the Atlantic.
Still smiling
Alan
State lines crossed 6 (55 Total) - It should be noted that to get from venue to hotel we cross from New Hampshire into Vermont and then back into New Hampshire again
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Days 65 & 66 Hartford to Hanover, New Hampshire (153 Miles- 10,447 Miles Total)
End of the line, journey's end, last call. Call it what you like but after 24 venues, 10,447 Miles, 49 State lines and 3 oil changes we have reached our last venue, and its really rather nice.
Yesterday we had a nice crowd and an efficient venue in Hartford, Connecticut. Today it seems we've got a homely crew, all smiles and helpful, with an intimate space and a well sold public show (which means they might just get half the gags). As we pulled into Hanover, we got the feeling this was going to be nice. Independent book shops, nice coffee houses, dare we dream this place might be alright? As we backed into the theatre, smiling faces, offers to do our washing, get us tea and help with the set. We haven't done a show here yet, we haven't even sound checked but we're all happy, we're all content and the last U.S Gruffalo show of 2008 could be quite a good un. It's even the first place where we've seen publicity in the town!
Yes we've got 1300 miles to travel to get back to Minneapolis, and then a flight back to the UK via Texas. But right now we don't care.
All is good in the deep dark wood!
More later
Alan
State lines crossed 3 (49 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Yesterday we had a nice crowd and an efficient venue in Hartford, Connecticut. Today it seems we've got a homely crew, all smiles and helpful, with an intimate space and a well sold public show (which means they might just get half the gags). As we pulled into Hanover, we got the feeling this was going to be nice. Independent book shops, nice coffee houses, dare we dream this place might be alright? As we backed into the theatre, smiling faces, offers to do our washing, get us tea and help with the set. We haven't done a show here yet, we haven't even sound checked but we're all happy, we're all content and the last U.S Gruffalo show of 2008 could be quite a good un. It's even the first place where we've seen publicity in the town!
Yes we've got 1300 miles to travel to get back to Minneapolis, and then a flight back to the UK via Texas. But right now we don't care.
All is good in the deep dark wood!
More later
Alan
State lines crossed 3 (49 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Days 63 & 64 Jersey City to Hartford, Connecticut (122 Miles- 10,394 Miles Total)
Leaving New York in our dust we continue to eat up road and lurch toward the finish line. Our penultimate stop on our trek is Hartford, Connecticut. Before that we had a nice day off in Jersey City where we all took advantage of some nice hotel rooms and did very little, apart from find the nice Indian village which served very good Indian food.
Our shows yesterday took us back into downtown Manhattan and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. We had 2 shows and maybe its the tiredness, maybe its the cold, or maybe its the evil little children that made up our audience but these were hard shows. Not a word was listened to, not a joke laughed at, they simply wanted to scream. They were very angry children. Amongst the screams were: Eat the Mouse! Gruffalo Eat the Mouse! EAT THE BLOODY MOUSE! (Ok so maybe they weren't English enough to say bloody but they did seem to have a thirst for blood shed. Had I duly obliged then I am not sure what the reaction would have been to me feasting on a mouse in front of 500 school children- perhaps a cheer?)
Anyway we hot footed it out of Manhattan for the last time and headed to Hartford, Connecticut. Our hotel seems to be located amongst a road of some very nice expensive restaurants with nobody in them and not located in a particularly desirable neighbourhood.
Today brings another couple of shows before he we head to New Hampshire for the last shows (2 of which are minus a stage manager as Anna heads home for her Sister's wedding) so no doubt this tour will remain interesting to the last. Then its the small matter of a 1300 mile journey back to Minneapolis to drop off van and set, before a flight home via TEXAS!! We do like seeing this country
Alan
State lines crossed 1 (46 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
Our shows yesterday took us back into downtown Manhattan and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. We had 2 shows and maybe its the tiredness, maybe its the cold, or maybe its the evil little children that made up our audience but these were hard shows. Not a word was listened to, not a joke laughed at, they simply wanted to scream. They were very angry children. Amongst the screams were: Eat the Mouse! Gruffalo Eat the Mouse! EAT THE BLOODY MOUSE! (Ok so maybe they weren't English enough to say bloody but they did seem to have a thirst for blood shed. Had I duly obliged then I am not sure what the reaction would have been to me feasting on a mouse in front of 500 school children- perhaps a cheer?)
Anyway we hot footed it out of Manhattan for the last time and headed to Hartford, Connecticut. Our hotel seems to be located amongst a road of some very nice expensive restaurants with nobody in them and not located in a particularly desirable neighbourhood.
Today brings another couple of shows before he we head to New Hampshire for the last shows (2 of which are minus a stage manager as Anna heads home for her Sister's wedding) so no doubt this tour will remain interesting to the last. Then its the small matter of a 1300 mile journey back to Minneapolis to drop off van and set, before a flight home via TEXAS!! We do like seeing this country
Alan
State lines crossed 1 (46 Total)
Time Zones crossed 0 (3 Total)
Oil Changes 0 (3 Total)
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