It's been a very busy week since we performed in Delaware! We've had a combination of travel, performances in North Carolina, more travel, and a show this morning in Jacksonville, Florida.
Asheville NC is a great place. We spent four days there! I had private shows on three of those days, and we got to check out the town on the fourth. Back in 2017, on our 50 shows-50 states-50 days tour, we had absolutely zero days off- which meant that we didn't have time to really see any local sights. Ordinarily, though, we try to schedule our travel so that we have a little time off. That's the case this time. We've seen so much!
We also were able to reacquire Silas. He went to summer camp just before our show in Mooresville, Indiana. Paula's brother picked him up and drove him all the way to Hocking Hills, Ohio, for camp (thanks Jason!). After a week at Camp Wyandot, Jason brought him back to us in North Carolina (thanks again!). So, Silas wasn't there for shows in 4 states. We were able to make adjustments and the shows went great, but it just isn't the same with a cast member gone- not to mention the fact that we missed him a lot! We're glad he's back!
After North Carolina, it was on to Jacksonville. We arrived at our hotel and . . . well, the adventure began! Now, I am not one to complain when things aren't perfect. But here's the list from last night: The hotel advertised that they accepted a certain type of payment, only to switch when we got there. The air conditioner in the hotel leaked water so bad that there was a puddle which covered a significant portion of the carpet (discovered, of course, after we were settled in). The coin laundry turned out to not accept coins (credit cards only- seriously, credit cards to run a washer and dryer?). After Paula washed a load of laundry, the dryer gave an "offline" error and wouldn't run (dryers now need to be online???). Then, when we ordered pizza for dinner, it literally took almost two hours to arrive- and when the driver got to the hotel, he called his manager (and had his phone on speaker, so we heard the manager insult us)!
Again, though, I'm not one to complain. These things rarely happen, and when they do, you just have to laugh. You know that the next day will be better. Today certainly was!
We arrived to set up for our show in Jacksonville. It was a morning show at University church. Pastor Jake met us and showed us the stage- it was perfect! They also had double doors with no divider, and a straight shot into the performance area- again, perfect! We had plenty of space for this one, with a nice backstage:
Asheville NC is a great place. We spent four days there! I had private shows on three of those days, and we got to check out the town on the fourth. Back in 2017, on our 50 shows-50 states-50 days tour, we had absolutely zero days off- which meant that we didn't have time to really see any local sights. Ordinarily, though, we try to schedule our travel so that we have a little time off. That's the case this time. We've seen so much!
We also were able to reacquire Silas. He went to summer camp just before our show in Mooresville, Indiana. Paula's brother picked him up and drove him all the way to Hocking Hills, Ohio, for camp (thanks Jason!). After a week at Camp Wyandot, Jason brought him back to us in North Carolina (thanks again!). So, Silas wasn't there for shows in 4 states. We were able to make adjustments and the shows went great, but it just isn't the same with a cast member gone- not to mention the fact that we missed him a lot! We're glad he's back!
After North Carolina, it was on to Jacksonville. We arrived at our hotel and . . . well, the adventure began! Now, I am not one to complain when things aren't perfect. But here's the list from last night: The hotel advertised that they accepted a certain type of payment, only to switch when we got there. The air conditioner in the hotel leaked water so bad that there was a puddle which covered a significant portion of the carpet (discovered, of course, after we were settled in). The coin laundry turned out to not accept coins (credit cards only- seriously, credit cards to run a washer and dryer?). After Paula washed a load of laundry, the dryer gave an "offline" error and wouldn't run (dryers now need to be online???). Then, when we ordered pizza for dinner, it literally took almost two hours to arrive- and when the driver got to the hotel, he called his manager (and had his phone on speaker, so we heard the manager insult us)!
Again, though, I'm not one to complain. These things rarely happen, and when they do, you just have to laugh. You know that the next day will be better. Today certainly was!
We arrived to set up for our show in Jacksonville. It was a morning show at University church. Pastor Jake met us and showed us the stage- it was perfect! They also had double doors with no divider, and a straight shot into the performance area- again, perfect! We had plenty of space for this one, with a nice backstage:
The audience was great! We later found out that many folks today were visitors from another country, and spoke very little English. This proves what I've always said- the great thing about magic is that it's visual, so it'll be fun even if you don't speak the same language!
After the show, Pastor Mark offered to take our family out for lunch. As we were leaving the parking lot of the church, we were reminded of a place we saw years ago when we were last here. Now, before I show you this picture, understand that all I'm doing is showing you a picture. No comment from me- just showing you an image of a restaurant in Jacksonville. The food here is probably amazing.
After the show, Pastor Mark offered to take our family out for lunch. As we were leaving the parking lot of the church, we were reminded of a place we saw years ago when we were last here. Now, before I show you this picture, understand that all I'm doing is showing you a picture. No comment from me- just showing you an image of a restaurant in Jacksonville. The food here is probably amazing.
Ever seen a business name like that? We sure hadn't. I don't know the story, but I do know that the place has been there for more than 30 years. Looks like the owner has a sense of humor- and is perhaps a brilliant businessman, because he gets everyone talking!
We didn't eat there, though. When in Florida, we always try to hit "Whataburger". It's a restaurant that we don't have in Ohio. It's funny- when you ask the average kid what their favorite restaurant is, they'll usually tell you someplace local to them. But with our kids, they'll say "Well, in Chattanooga, I like _____, and in Seattle, it's _____- but in Honolulu, I like _____". There are also the places that we used to have in Cincinnati, but are now gone- such as Friendly's. We know where in the country to find those and always try to do so when we're there.
So, we have a few days until our show in Orlando. We're in Daytona Beach tonight:
We didn't eat there, though. When in Florida, we always try to hit "Whataburger". It's a restaurant that we don't have in Ohio. It's funny- when you ask the average kid what their favorite restaurant is, they'll usually tell you someplace local to them. But with our kids, they'll say "Well, in Chattanooga, I like _____, and in Seattle, it's _____- but in Honolulu, I like _____". There are also the places that we used to have in Cincinnati, but are now gone- such as Friendly's. We know where in the country to find those and always try to do so when we're there.
So, we have a few days until our show in Orlando. We're in Daytona Beach tonight:
I'll say it again- we are incredibly blessed to get to do what we do! We've been on the road less than two months, and we've been able to visit 26 states so far. We're going to enjoy a few days here before our Orlando show, after which we head to Leesburg (a new city for us). The kids always look forward to Florida shows- and so do we!
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