Virginia Creeper Trail, VA

So Pops decided we needed to go and do the Virginia Creeper.  So after an actual soccer victory, we drove up to Damascus to get on the trail tomorrow.

We arrived in the late afternoon and checked into the quaint and lovely Dancing Bear Inn.  We had enough daylight to complete a lap of town and stop for post travel / soccer ice cream at The Wicked Chicken.  Dinner was a leisurely meal at Damascus Old Mill and then an early night before we meet Pops and do the Creeper tomorrow.

L& B Post Travel Ice Creams - Wicked Chicken, Damascus, VA

The Tourists of Damascus

Pops drove up Sunday morning and met us at Damascus Diner for breakfast.  Fully loaded we headed around to Sun Dog Outfitter, who fitted us with bikes and drove us the 17 miles up to White Tops.  When we get to the starting point, the joint is packed, but as soon as we roll onto the trail it's like there is nobody around and we have the place to ourselves.  The boys handle the ride like champs.  They are on bigger bikes than they're used to - and to think they only learned to ride 4 months ago - they have done amazing.  

The wind is cold as it hits your face, but it's a cruisy ride.  It is literally downhill all the way - pedaling is at a minimum.

About halfway down we head into a cafe just off the trail for a lunch break.  Hot Dogs, hamburgers and chocolate cake are the essential ingredients to get us down the rest of the hill.

I would say it took us 4 hours all up to get back to Damascus (a minor stop after B stacked it less than 500 yards from the end of the ride).  While the weather was a little cool, the fall colors the whole way down made the trip absolutely beautiful.  We'll have to do this again.

Mom, B, Pops, L & Dad - Virginia Creeper

B, Pops & L - Virginia Creeper

Litchfield Beach, SC

It was a weird week at Litchfield this year, starting 25 July.  With all the Covid protocols in force in Charlotte, there was barely a showing of it here in South Carolina (however, this county has the lowest numbers in the state).  We didn't stay in our usual condo as it was decided they would close the pool.  While not as nice as what we've had in the past, we still enjoyed our annual week at the beach, though this year it involved not going out for dinner or general mixing with other people, though there was no stopping us going to our beloved Paradice Ice Cream.  Hopefully next year will be back to normal.  

M, B, D & L at Litchfield Beach

New Bomb Turks & Nine Pound Hammer @ Grey Eagle

New Bomb Turks are a bucket list band for me.  Id Slips In is one of my favorite songs, and Drunk on Cock is a great EP.  So the decision to drive to Asheville was an easy one considering the band has never played anywhere near where I've lived.

The 2 hour drive was an easy one and I arrived 5 minutes before Nine Pound Hammer took the stage.  This band is obviously a drawcard for this show as a lot of the smallish crowd were there for these blues-country-punks to perform a rare show (from what I can gather).  Nine Pound Hammer's singer Scott Luallen is a performer whose wit, sarcasm and energy translates well with the driving rock sound.   The band seemed to enjoy themselves and the crowd responded in kind with many o\up front able to fill in when Luallen put the mic in front of them.  The only song I can remember by name was Run Fatboy Run, and it was raucous fun.

Note to every band I see from now on.  Have an opening band that you are into.  When you're in the crowd for the opening band and having a blast, the crowd sees that, and I think that heightens the experience for the show.  I remember Presidents of the United States doing that 25ish years ago when Custard opened for them at The Zoo.  The crowd loved having them in the pit and then going crazy with them onstage after.

I really like the Grey Eagle.  It's a small venue with a stage only 2 foot higher than the floor and it allows for a great close up experience.  Especially for a band like New Bomb Turks, and singer Eric Davidson's need to interact with the crowd.  High energy and goofiness is Davidson's thing, but his desire to lick phones and shove hats down his pants, and eventually come into the crowd and twerk on some unsuspecting punters, kept people at a slightly uncomfortable distance.  New Bomb Turks ripped through a blazing 45 minute set and I dare say Davidson's energy surpassed that of the entire crowd, until NPH drummer Rob Hulsman burst into the crowd trying to (unsuccessfully) start a pit.  And when Davidson tried to get the crowd to get on the floor, it took way longer than needed because of some reluctant and oblivious people.  It did eventually get the crowd going (though this old man's knees were not happy about it).  While they played nothing familiar to me, I'll be back to see New Bomb Turks, and Nine Pound Hammer for that matter, at least until I see Id Slips In.  (I have a playlist of 30 favorite songs of which I've seen 24 performed live, 4 which I'll never see due to bands  or performers no longer being around, and Id Slips In and long shot Stone Roses' Fools Gold the other 2).

I recently read an article Eric Davidson wrote about the Hoodoo Gurus.  I think that's a perfect lead in for NBT to open for them later this year.  Just a thought.

New Bomb Turks Setlist

The Crap Facts:
This is my 465th concert.
This is my 2nd concert at The Grey Eagle.

This is my 7th concert in Asheville.

This is my 100th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 268th concert in the US.
Nine Pound Hammer are the 538th band I've seen.
New Bomb Turks are the 539th band I've seen.

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Orlando

No Voodoo Doughnuts today (sad dad)!  But back into Universal Studios early this morning to have breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron.  

After breakfast we headed back into the Springfield to re-ride Kang & Kodo's Twirl & Hurl, and over to ET Adventure for another spin.

We did a full lap of the park before ending up back in King's Cross Station, where we boarded the Hogwart's Express from platform 9 3/4.  Not much of a wait for this quick trip over to the Islands of Adventure.  The ride itself was amazing as usual.  From the swooshing noise as you walk between platforms 9 and 10, to the carriages that had a video screen as a window showing you the whole way to Hogwarts (out of London, into the Countryside, through the Forbidden Forest, to eventually meet Hagrid at the school).  While the doorway showed shadows of Harry, Ron & Hermoine and other Harry Potter characters (good and evil) talking throughout the trip.

You arrive in Hogsmead, and after a quick butter beer we road the Hippogriff - a much gentler roller coaster (much to Leland's relief).

Hogwarts

It is now Saturday, and a day before the Pro Bowl is being played in Orlando, so the park is packed.  Crowds have being increasing each day but today is more than I can take.  Fortunately we got on a couple of rides early and the family is happy to just take everything in and enjoy the good weather.

Never a more appropriate picture

We caught the Hogwarts Express back to Universal Studios and wandered around that park again, stopping at Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck in Springfield for a quick lunch.

Again we left earlier than I expected, but it is a bit warmer today, and the kids are keen to get back in the pool.  By late afternoon we decided to stay in the hotel and had dinner at Amatista Cookhouse.  I barely made it through dinner as I have started to come down with some sort of bug.

Overall it has been great stay.  I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it here, but A & I had a blast, and that is boosted by the fact the the boys' heads exploded everyday.  Yes, the resort will take you for every dollar they can, but you don't care.  So much detail is put into everything to make it special for everyone, you can't but help just hand over your wallet.  Having said that, when L asked if we could come back next year, A & I were happy to let him know that maybe he could come back one day with his own kids.

P.S.  On the last night I started to feel unwell at dinner.  I ended leaving dinner early and headed straight to bed.  By the next morning it was a real struggle just to make it to the airport.  I got on the plane and was asleep before take off and had to be woken up when we landed.  I was so ill at this stage, I couldn't drive home.  I got home and went into the spare bedroom and barely came out for a week.  Never have I felt so unwell.  Night sweats, delirious temperatures, vomiting and just general exhaustion (I couldn't walk upstairs to the shower without sitting down at the top).  At the time we jokingly called it the Orlando Virus, but what we learned over the next few months was this was Covid 19.  And considering the devastation that this global disease caused, I can be thankful just to pull through that rough week.

Islands Of Adventure Orlando

Day 2 started at Voodoo Donuts again, before joining the line to get into the Islands of Adventure.  We were in line 45 minutes before opening and gladly so as there were over a thousand people waiting to get in by the times the gates opened (15 minutes early).  

Like EVERYONE else, we headed straight to the back of the park to go on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Ride.  So new is this ride, they don't even have a fast-pass for it yet.  By the time we got in line there was already a 45 minute wait.  But well worth it in the end.  The roller coaster looks like Hagrid's motor bike and side car and flies around for a couple of minutes of shear terror (as least according to me and L - mom and B loved it).  A great ride to get things started, and by the time we got off the wait was 2 1/2 hours.

L&B survive / love Hagrid's Magical Creature Motorbike Ride

Next to Hadrid's was Hogwarts so inside we went to ride Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey.  Another 3D style ride getting you through the school and onto the Quidditch field.  Great fun!  Again I was blown away walking around Hogsmead.  This movie replica was so well detailed, it could have been straight out of the movie set.  B & L picked out their beloved Gryffindor keyrings, which they could have their names engraved into (nothing else carries their names, so it has to be custom).

B, L & Mom @ Hogwarts

We next wanted to go on the Jurassic Park ride but it was closed for maintenance, therefore making the wait at Kong Island a lot longer than we were willing to wait.  So we walked back through the park past everything we rushed by to get to Hagrid's.  We walked through Dr. Seuss Land and B and I ended up on the Caro-Suess-al.  Being on a merry-go-round always brings back great childhood memories of The Entrance - now made better with sharing it with my kids.

We continued to walk through the park and watched the Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster, Dudley Do -Rights' Ripsaw Falls.  We were in Marvel land right at the end of the character's parade and in the right place for the boys to meet Captain America.

A full circle of the park got us back to Hogsmead where we stopped at Three Broomsticks for lunch.  A quick trip back to ride the Pteranodon Flyers, a gentle skyway that gave us a good overview of the whole park.

Hey Hey we're the H's!

I think Day 1 took it out of all of us because not long after 1 pm the boys were happy to head back to the hotel.  After collecting their custom keychains of course!  Once there we headed out to the pool, which they stayed in until about 6, until we had dinner from the Dhrum Club Kantine.  And while the boys were happy to get back in the pool, mom and I were freezing and we headed back to rest for day 3.

Universal Studios Orlando

The boys and I met A at the airport yesterday after she returned from Phoenix and flew down to Orlando for a quick break.  We arrived at Loews Sapphire Falls at a time to check in and head down to the water taxi to go to City Walk for dinner.  We decided on Antojitos for some Mexican.  Good meal topped off with the boys being blown away by the mariachi band.  It had been a long day so we were back on the boat early to get to the hotel.

We had an early start to get to Universal Studios as they allow resort guests in an hour before everyone else  After a stop at Starbucks and Voodoo Donuts for breakfast we were in the park by 8.30am.

B&L Voodoo Doughnuts

We decided on Universal instead of Disneyworld, as we chose Harry Potter over Star Wars, so like most people we were in the gates and headed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  We walked passed Kings Cross Station but the non-descript entrance meant we straight past where we needed to be and had to resort to the map to find our way.  But once we found it -WOW!  This place is ridiculous.  B is the big fan, and if my mind (not really into it) was blown, I can only imagine what was going through his head.  While we weren't in Ollivander's, we let the boys pick a wand each, which can be used throughout the Harry Potter worlds to cast spells.  They didn't know which wand was which but B picked Harry Potter's and L ended up with Dumbledore's (after rejecting Voldemort's).  At certain area's you wave the wand, say the spell and different things will happen (a water fountain goes off, things move - it's pretty brilliant).  We walked up Diagon Alley to our first ride, Escape From Gringott's.  This simulator 3D ride takes you to the depths of the bank while spells are cast on you, dragons attack and lightning is cast at you by the characters.  It was so lifelike and fun.  We're all hooked.  After looking through Horizint Alley and Nocturn Alley left Harry Potter to explore the rest of the park.

 B, Mom & L @ Diagon Alley

 B, L & Mom

Knockturn Alley

At L's request we went over to Springfield.  We went on the Simpson's Ride (another simulator) which was a blast, then B and I went on Kang & Kodos' Twirl n Hurl.  After a couple of obligatory photos with Bart & Lisa,and at Moe's Tavern it was already lunchtime.

An old man makes his family meet his heroes

We walked back over to Harry Potter to have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron.  Again I can't get over the detail in this place.  Here we had our first Butterbeer.  Sweet mother of sugar!  Creaming soda topped with whipped butter/cream.  Sharing one was great.  The second was too much sweetness for us.  We did another quick walk around to cast a few more spells, and while L and I were in the restroom, Mom and B got to see the dragon on top of Gringott's fire up.  Everyone was pretty buzzed after that, L & I had no idea what was going on.

We headed over to the ET ride after lunch.  We need something gentle after eating and this was just the ticket.  I vaguely remember going on this 20 years ago when I was here with Reggae, Marie, Cousin Suz & Kim.  The ride itself if a great reflection on the movie, but is definitely showing it's age in relation to what else is in the park.

As a change of pace we went on Transformers.  Like most rides here, a simulator.  It was a pretty wild ride.  Very loud and shaky and the 3D effects again were fantastic.  I know at the boys age I'd have shit myself on that ride, but they held their own and were still ready for more. 

On to Shrek 4D for, again, a gentler ride.  A fun story that saw the seats shake a little, a couple of 3D effects and of course 4D being some splashed water and remnants from Donkey's sneeze.  A great one for the kids.

For some reason L wanted to go on Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York, so off we went.  I'm not sure if it was too busy because we were waved through the Express Lane and were on the ride straight away.  Again you watch a big screen as you race Jimmy Fallon around New York in 3D.  All the landmarks are there, as well as a gut-turning trip to the moon and back.  It ended up being L's favorite ride of the stay.

That ride broke Mom, so while she rested, the boys and I went on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.  This was another fun ride, especially for the boys.  It also allowed us to stay out the Florida shower until the ride was over.  

Our last ride was the Men In Black Alien Attack at the back of the park, but not before we stopped at an ice cream shop near where we had seen the Mystery Machine parked.  Again Mom bailed on this ride and the boys and I had a blast chasing and shooting aliens, only to be zapped by the memory eraser at the end.  We'll have to get the boys to see the movie - I thought it was great.

Something from our generation

We were spent!  It was too early for dinner, so we went back to the hotel for a bit before, mistakenly (we had underestimated how tired the boys were) going back to the City Walk for a great Italian dinner at VIVO.

What an amazing day!  I was totally under prepared for how much fun I'd have.  And Amy loved it and the boys just had the best time.  But boy does it take it out of you.  I don't remember much from visiting here 20 years ago without looking at an old diary (see the blog on 17 June 2000).  I believe this is because only Men In Black & ET remain from that visit.  It's a completely different place.

I expect we'll all sleep well tonight.  Get ready Islands of Adventure - we'll see you tomorrow.

Come From Away @ Belk Theater

This was Santa's present to the grown ups in the house, so A and I headed out early (earlier than anyone eating dinner in Charlotte that night) for dinner at Essex.  This is our 2nd time at this restaurant and it's awesome.  We had a bunch of appetizers up at the bar and had nice start to the evening.

I tried to get mum to see this a couple of years ago when we were in New York, but we opted for A Doll's House Part 2 instead.  So I have been wanting to see this since it came to Broadway 2 years ago. We got our seats on the mezzanine of the Belk Theater and settled in for an great show.  

Come From Away is the story of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada in the days following 9/11, where 38 planes were diverted and about 6000 people were required to stay for up to a week following the the attacks in the US.  Gander had a population of only about 9000 and the story tells how passengers and locals dealt with the tragedy separately and together, and some of the lifelong friendships that were forged from a dire situation.

With a small cast of about 15 players, each playing 2 or 3 characters, this fantastic story ran the gamut of emotions.  Desperation! Grief! Camaraderie!  Community!  Human Spirit!  All done with humor and a bond of friendship you can only imagine these people formed.  The cast were brilliant.   Minimal costume changes (from as little as changing a hat, or turning a jacket inside out) allowed the cast to easily change from bewildered passenger to compassionate Gander resident.  Also a basic set allowed for fluid scene changes from the plane, to Tim Hortons, to a shelter, to outdoor Gander.

I'm so glad we got to see this, and I hope anyone who gets the chance to, whether it be on Broadway or on a travelling tour, takes the opportunity to see a great story told by a wonderful cast.