What a CRAZY few days we've had!
Since the last show, it's been an adventure, to say the least! I can almost hear the announcer saying "In this episode- Cincinnati, custom made parts, unsuspecting travelers, major car explosion, detective work beside the highway, cheap motel, turtle, serious auto repair bill, frantic all-night-drive, and ultimate success in Connecticut"!
Our last show on the western leg of our tour was Mooresville, Indiana. We stopped in Cincinnati for a couple of days, then we were off to Willimantic, Connecticut for today's show. Sounds routine, right?
At first, yes. While in Cincinnati, we were able to take care of a couple of important items, such as fixing the AC in the car (essential because we'll be in Florida) and fixing some props that needed maintenance. One big illusion needed new wheels. If you're in Cincinnati and you need wheels for anything, I highly recommend Midwest Caster. I build 99% of our props and almost all of them need wheels. Midwest Caster is the only place I go- they know their stuff and they have literally everything. Here's a small corner of their back warehouse:
Since the last show, it's been an adventure, to say the least! I can almost hear the announcer saying "In this episode- Cincinnati, custom made parts, unsuspecting travelers, major car explosion, detective work beside the highway, cheap motel, turtle, serious auto repair bill, frantic all-night-drive, and ultimate success in Connecticut"!
Our last show on the western leg of our tour was Mooresville, Indiana. We stopped in Cincinnati for a couple of days, then we were off to Willimantic, Connecticut for today's show. Sounds routine, right?
At first, yes. While in Cincinnati, we were able to take care of a couple of important items, such as fixing the AC in the car (essential because we'll be in Florida) and fixing some props that needed maintenance. One big illusion needed new wheels. If you're in Cincinnati and you need wheels for anything, I highly recommend Midwest Caster. I build 99% of our props and almost all of them need wheels. Midwest Caster is the only place I go- they know their stuff and they have literally everything. Here's a small corner of their back warehouse:
. . . and here are my wheels being custom assembled to match the specs for the prop:
If you ever go there, tell them Phil the Magician sent you. They'll make you a great deal. Thanks Midwest!
So, here's where the 'adventure' begins. We left Thursday morning, planning to drive through Ohio and across most of Pennsylvania. We then planned to drive on to Connecticut Friday, to be ready for our show Saturday (today).
Thursday started fine. We drove through Ohio as planned, then crossed into Pennsylvania. Roughly 36 miles in, we heard a noise that sounded like something thumping the bottom of our vehicle, followed by MASSIVE amounts of thick smoke pouring from beneath the hood! What? Not good! We pulled over immediately and opened the hood to find all types of fluid spraying out from everywhere, including the radiator. What on earth?
Well, here's what had happened (and this was a new one for me)- the fan somehow shattered:
So, here's where the 'adventure' begins. We left Thursday morning, planning to drive through Ohio and across most of Pennsylvania. We then planned to drive on to Connecticut Friday, to be ready for our show Saturday (today).
Thursday started fine. We drove through Ohio as planned, then crossed into Pennsylvania. Roughly 36 miles in, we heard a noise that sounded like something thumping the bottom of our vehicle, followed by MASSIVE amounts of thick smoke pouring from beneath the hood! What? Not good! We pulled over immediately and opened the hood to find all types of fluid spraying out from everywhere, including the radiator. What on earth?
Well, here's what had happened (and this was a new one for me)- the fan somehow shattered:
See those broken fragments? There are supposed to be fan blades there. When it shattered at high speed, it was like a grenade detonating under the hood, sending broken shrapnel into everything it could reach.
So there we were on the side of the interstate. We couldn't see any mile markers so we didn't really even know exactly where we were. We called AAA, which will cover a short tow- but they wouldn't tow our trailer. Then we've got the issue of our entire family being in the car, and a tow truck driver typically has room for only one passenger. So, we had to pass on AAA. We made some calls to figure out where we were and ended up speaking with a local tow/auto repair guy. He came out, pulled the car up onto the flatbed, and hitched up our trailer to his truck. As for the issue of too many people to fit in his cab for the ride to town? Well, common sense to the rescue- the family simply rode in the car on the flatbed! Paula and Faith were terrified- Clay and Eli thought it was the coolest thing they'd ever experienced.
We arrived at Tom's repair shop and he gave us a ride to the only motel in town. The nerve wracking part was that we were supposed to be on the other side of Pennsylvania at that point, and we still had to wait for Tom to make the major repairs the next day- and that was if he could even find the parts in time. Friday came and what could we do but hang out at the motel? We walked around a bit and Lydia made friends with a turtle that was found in the parking lot:
So there we were on the side of the interstate. We couldn't see any mile markers so we didn't really even know exactly where we were. We called AAA, which will cover a short tow- but they wouldn't tow our trailer. Then we've got the issue of our entire family being in the car, and a tow truck driver typically has room for only one passenger. So, we had to pass on AAA. We made some calls to figure out where we were and ended up speaking with a local tow/auto repair guy. He came out, pulled the car up onto the flatbed, and hitched up our trailer to his truck. As for the issue of too many people to fit in his cab for the ride to town? Well, common sense to the rescue- the family simply rode in the car on the flatbed! Paula and Faith were terrified- Clay and Eli thought it was the coolest thing they'd ever experienced.
We arrived at Tom's repair shop and he gave us a ride to the only motel in town. The nerve wracking part was that we were supposed to be on the other side of Pennsylvania at that point, and we still had to wait for Tom to make the major repairs the next day- and that was if he could even find the parts in time. Friday came and what could we do but hang out at the motel? We walked around a bit and Lydia made friends with a turtle that was found in the parking lot:
Tom began work early and did an amazing job. As it turns out, the exploding fan had destroyed the radiator, sliced the transmission fluid lines, and punctured the oil filter. We literally lost all of the fluids that were supposed to be in the car! We got back on the road at 6 PM Friday, knowing that we were facing an all night drive to be in Willimantic for our show today.
We arrived about 3:30 A.M. The good news was that we already had a place to stay- and it's a great one. Here's a photo of the house they provided for us in 2017:
We arrived about 3:30 A.M. The good news was that we already had a place to stay- and it's a great one. Here's a photo of the house they provided for us in 2017:
They've graciously provided that house again! It's an amazing 4 bedroom house that was built in the 1870s. It's located in the Willimantic Camp Meeting Association. Miss Sara had everything ready for our arrival, including food in the fridge! Nobody does that- but they do here!
Today's show took place roughly 2 miles from where we're staying. The event was called "Praisefest" and was supposed to be outdoors in a big park. Weather threatened to turn ugly, though, so they moved the event inside. Here's the crew getting ready to hit the stage:
Today's show took place roughly 2 miles from where we're staying. The event was called "Praisefest" and was supposed to be outdoors in a big park. Weather threatened to turn ugly, though, so they moved the event inside. Here's the crew getting ready to hit the stage:
As well as Eli:
There was a band that went on first, then we were up. The crowd was awesome! We've had great experiences each time we've performed in Connecticut. We can't wait to return (and the event organizer spoke with us tonight regarding a bigger event for next season- time to get booking)!
By the time we got everything loaded back up, it was close to 7 P.M. Having only eaten breakfast, we were hungry! Once again, Sara took great care of us. She invited us to the picnic area for a grill-out. We ate and talked with a number of the folks who had attended the show. There's a huge pond nearby, which the kids loved:
By the time we got everything loaded back up, it was close to 7 P.M. Having only eaten breakfast, we were hungry! Once again, Sara took great care of us. She invited us to the picnic area for a grill-out. We ate and talked with a number of the folks who had attended the show. There's a huge pond nearby, which the kids loved:
. . . and it even has it's own mini-beach:
After all the craziness with the car, it really has been nice to relax here. Tomorrow we head out toward Delaware. Our show is Monday in Newark- and we met some great people last time we were there. We can't wait to see them again!
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