The Virginias Rock!
Posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Ammie and I had been struggling a little bit in the tight quarters we were living in, something we both anticipated happening before beginning our journey. We knew we needed a break and were unsure if that would be permanent. She decided to fly back home to Colorado to be with her family for Thanksgiving and the separation would give us both our needed space. It was hard thinking it may be the end, but within a few days I knew I wanted her back and was thankful she was still supporting me, the trip, and our relationship. She had booked a flight to Central America with the possibility of working there for a while, something she has wanted to do for a long time. She had also booked a flight for me to visit for 10 days so that I could take a little break from the RV and we could have some time to really talk things through. Well, it didn’t take long before our true feelings came out and Ammie agreed to come back and finish the trip with me after our mini Panamanian vacation. As much as I love the beauty of the country and the kindness of the folks in the small towns, I am looking forward to a break from the RV and the cold weather. And, who could turn down a trip to the beautiful islands of Bocas del Toro? I am full of life once again knowing that we’ll see this through to the end. I am fully confident that it will continue to amaze and enlighten the both of us.
My first day alone (Sunday 11/16) was spent at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Virginia. It brought such a better understanding and respect for my fathers love and adoration or aircraft. If you have any interest in aviation (especially old war planes), you should really check out his website www.aerovintage.com which hosts many of the books he has written on the subject. The highlight of the museum for me was by far being able to see the Enola Gay. If you aren’t familiar with this airplane, it is the B-29 that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima in World War II. This was the first time an atomic weapon was used in warfare and seeing it in person stirred so many mixed feelings of power, respect, and sorrow. It was an amazing experience.
Enola Gay ~ Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
I soon headed to Greenwood, Virginia where I would spend a few days sleeping and trying to figure out my little world that seemed to be unraveling so quickly at every seam. I set up a little home studio in the RV in an attempt to distract myself from my feelings, but it wouldn’t help much. Only when I realized that I truly wanted Ammie with me did the hope fill my heart once again.
Working Studio in RV
I stayed strong and knew I had to get around some people before I lost myself to the cave I had created in the RV. I was fortunate that Dan at the Mudhouse coffee shop in Charlottesville, VA gave me a show last Thursday night and I was able to pull myself out of the slump and start looking forward to the future. After the show I decided to drive towards West Virginia where I had a scheduled stop in Peterstown for a show at Walt’s Place on Saturday night (11/22).
I showed up at Walt’s Place a few hours before my show start time, and was so glad I did. Walt and his wife Delores had so many stories about the town, politics and the hardships they’ve faced getting their ABC license. Apparently the county’s department is under investigation for a bit of corruption….ouch. Walt and Delores treated me so well and the girls working that evening were the true definition of southern hospitality. Their accents, friendly smiles and kind words quickly lifted my spirits and Delores’ special homemade fritters with maple butter tingled my taste buds! Not to mention, the stage was incredible and Walt let me set up my entire sound system. It seems like everyone bought CD’s, shirts and stickers to support my travels and I was so thankful that I was able to meet them all. I truly wish them the very best and pray the county gives them their well deserved license soon!!!!
Walt's Place ~ Peterstown, West Virginia
Walt, Delores and the Walt's Place Staff
After the show that evening, I met Dora and Valerie, a couple of locals who had met in Southern America many years ago while working for the US Embassy. They invited me to church the next morning and Walt was kind enough to let me camp out in the parking lot of his venue so I could make the drive to church the next morning. Well, I woke up late and jumped into the drivers seat in order to make it to church for the last half of the service. I did my best to drive the windy roads and navigate the napkin map that Doris had so kindly given me the night before. When I pulled up in front of the church, I was glad to see another couple arriving at the same time. Pheeewww, I wasn’t the only one late. The elderly gentleman opened the door for me and I took a seat in the back….and he walked up to the podium and apologized to the congregation for his tardiness! It couldn’t have worked out better. After a nice service Thelma and Louise, I mean Doris and Valerie, invited me to join for lunch at Dora’s home. Within minutes she had served me fried chicken and had cooked up a delicious steak soup. Their stories of working for the Embassy, traveling and their family ties with the FBI fascinated me and encouraged me further to follow my dreams. After lunch, Dora sent me off with left overs and I hit the road for Appomattox, Virginia.
I rolled into Appomattox early so that I could check out the town and experience the history of the area. I strolled around town checking out the train station and surrounding areas which served as the grounds for a few famous battles before the North and South reunited towards the end of the Civil War. My show was at Baine’s Books & Coffee right across the street from that famous train station and I was excited to see that the venue regularly hosts local music. I met Bryan Baine, the owner of the coffee shop who had been running the place for the past four years and had nothing but kind things to tell me about the town. He had a PA system set up for me, which is always appreciated, and I was pleased to meet a young local musician who would join me on mandolin and harmonica. The show went great! The room was filled before my set was half over and I was so thankful for those listening ears. It is so nice to play for a group of people who really were interested not only in my project, but in the songs I have spent years writing. I was so thankful for them and had a great time chatting it up between songs. Afterwards, many of them stayed around to be in a group photo and Bryan offered me his driveway so that I could get some sleep without being questioned by local authorities for sleeping on the street. I have to apologize to Bryan for knocking over his trash can as I backed my 35 foot beast onto the street. I left a note for him and haven’t heard anything since. I hope I did not leave a bad impression on this gracious host. Thank you Bryan, Baine’s and everyone who attended the show that evening. They even published an article in the Appomattox News which you can read by clicking here.
A nice welcoming sign at Baine's Books & Coffee ~ Appomattox, Virginia
Bryan Baine and the Baine's Books & Coffee staff
Some of the great folks at the Baine's Books and Coffee show
In front of the train station in Appomattox, Virginia
After running over the trash can, I headed over to the Appomattox Court House to see the Mclean House where Lee surrendered to Grant during the Civil War. Reed Johnson, a musician and the superintendent of the National Park Service had given me a business card which granted me free access to the park. Thank you Reed! I showed up right as the park was opening for the day and met Ernie who took me around the park on a personal tour. I was so fascinated by this place and the amount of respect that the North and South showed to each other during these final days. He cleared up quite a few misconceptions surrounding Appomattox that I would have never known. If you ever are on the east coast and see Court House as two words, it means a village rather than a structure (courthouse). I guess a lot of people will visit Appomattox and see the courthouse in the main part of town, never realizing that the building had nothing to do with the Civil War. I was also informed that Appomattox is not where the Civil War officially ended, but I was amazed by the stories of the last few battles at the Court House and the ways in which some 30,000 Confederate soldiers turned in their arms. I couldn’t believe that the North had issued probation papers to all those Confederate soldiers within a matter of days. I could have spent all day filling my head with information, but hit the road towards Raleigh, North Carolina to pick up my younger brother at the airport. Nathan was flying into join me for Thanksgiving and to contribute his blues guitar to the project.
Famous road to Richmond where second to last Appomattox battle occured with McLean House in the background
Room in the McLean House where Grant and Lee met to negotiate the surrender of the Confederate Soldiers
Printing press where thousands of probation papers were made and issued to the Southern Soldiers after their surrender
The first Flag of Truce
Civil War memorabilia for Joel Rock n' Roll ~ The best trumpeter in Austin, TX
I love that you guys are so in love. And I’m happy that you both are finding your way back down south!! Keep on keepin’ on, buddy.
Hi, Adam, Ammie, we met at playa Drago in Bocas del Toro, Panama when I interviewd both of you at the beach. I would like to say Thank You for your attention. Also I was wondering how ended your day, did the scooter gave you more problems? I hope not. Also thank yo for having such a good impression about my country.
Regards,
Ivonne