Encores? Of course! This crowd wasn’t willing to let them go at all. I think if the b’ys had been able, the crowd would have called them back for 5 encores. We got two. Alan came out first solo. Oh well, there went our “Bob’s Turn” theory. But I wasn’t disappointed for long as Alan did Boston & St. John’s. Always nice to hear that.
Excursion was very strange with Alan singing. He did well, but I will have to get used to it. It wasn’t as much fun without Alan making a fool of himself bouncing all over the stage. If he’s singing, he’s got to be at the mic. Bob wasn’t in there too much with the harmony either. It wasn’t the best Excursion, but I do love the song and did enjoy hearing it again.
Fortune was great fun. Kris snuck up behind Bob for some mischief apparently, but Bob saw him out of the corner of his eye and did a big brother thing – Shook his fist at him, looking over his shoulder, daring him to come over and collect it. Then he took his bow and tried to swat him, but Kris jumped back. I don’t’ know who did what to whom but it was funny.
All night, Mercy from Newfoundland had been yelling “We’ll Rant and We’ll Roar Like True Newfoundlanders!” She got her wish, as that’s what they did for the second encore. Then they ended with Old Black Rum. I don’t think I’ve heard a more spirited audience sing that. Bob enjoyed himself, listening to us belt it out. Alan seemed really happy we all knew the words. And my first GBS show of 2003 came to an end.
Karen and I went in search of dinner at midnight after dissecting the show a bit with Lynda, Jenny and Fran. Denny’s was open and I satisfied my growling tummy there. Next morning we sat in the lobby with Lynda and Dave and chatted for a good long time. I was sad to leave Asheville. What a wonderful impression that town made on me! Altitude DOES Affect Attitude – for the better.
Karen was very obliging to drive a good distance of the way home as well as there. Of course, she just got her driver’s permit so she was chomping at the bit to make the long drive. We practiced earlier that week on I-95 and 202 so she didn’t freak out. She “done good”, too! I’ll ride with her again. We saw some interesting things on the way back, like a sign on a truck from Shoddy Daisy, Tennessee. I love daisies and don’t think I’d ever call them shoddy. But to each his own. I’d like to know how THAT town got its name!
One of the other things which kept us laughing and quipping for a while on the way home was the discovery of George Bush’s long lost brother. He sells cars in North Carolina and his name is "Rooster" Bush! LOL! I cannot tell you the fun we had with that made up tale. Karen is a great roadtrip partner because we sing, quote Monty Python and Wayne’s World and just generally don’t let the cares of the world enter our domain. Thanks, Karen!
The 11-hour-plus ride home ended in a blaze of glory on the PA Turnpike, 10 miles from my home. The car decided it wasn’t going any more and I got to ride in the back of a State Police cruiser for the first time to the nearest exit. “Ira” just didn’t like the constant 11 hours on the road, I guess. He’s feeling much better today, thank you! I’ll have to give him a car wash and oil change and a new water pump or something for getting us there and almost home. After all, it was 1300 miles in two days and he is 9 years old with almost 185,000 miles! |
