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Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
PJ Tour Notes #6
Folk,
November 1-3, 1996 Fremont, NH to Nashville, TN
Getting ready for an 18 day tour was nothing compared to last
spring's work for the summer tours. Still this tour had its own
modivator. The temperature had been dropping all day. By sundown
it was in the low twenties. We were beginning to worry about the
water freezing in the Vardo before we could even get on the road.
It was nearly 10 PM when we finally switched off the last light
and said goodbye to the cottage and office.
Jack Frost followed us South as we drove through the
night. He gave up the chase as the sun rose. We decided to
surprise Sues' brother by dropping in for breakfast at his
Annadale, VA home. We caught him in his underwear at 7 AM.
"WHO?" He and his wife were surprised. On the way back
out to I 81, we enjoyed a little bit of Skyline Drive. A
beautiful road for those with time to enjoy it. We ran out of
time. For as the sun began to sink, Jack Frost began his chase
again.
We drove through the night and somewhere after
Knoxville, TN we finally lost him. Driving pass the signs for
Jonesborough, I felt a pull to see the National Storytelling
Center. Somehow I didn't think 3 AM would be a good time to
visit. Though by now we were way ahead of schedule and decided to
enjoy the day in Nashville, TN largest city park. Beautiful
Forest. With trails for walking, biking, and horses. Large enough
for most people to find some solitude in the city.
We were parked deep in the forest at the far end of a
picnic area. Several trails ran close by. At one point, several
groups of people seem to be converging on our site, drawn in by
the designs on the Vardo and the sound of my tenor recorder. I
thought I was about to have an opportunity to enjoy an impromptu
story circle, but smiles and waves were all I received. Three
teenage boys stopped for a moment, then the moment was gone. How
long has it been since traveling tellers could depend on an
audience where ever they stopped?
Sues cheered me up by taking me to the Hard Rock Cafe
for a pig sandwich. :) About midnight we parked at the library in
West Memphis, AR. ready for the show in the morning.
November 4-5 West Memphis, AR to Stratford, TX
This was not my first visit to West Memphis, so I was not
surprised by the crowd. We had to keep packing the children in
tighter. I was glad the Fire Marshal didn't come by. :) Of course
I feel compelled to tell Jack's Story. He had visited the town
the night before I arrived.
Jack Frost adapted from a Russian Folktale (c) 1996 by Papa Joe
Jack Frost, with his icy hand,
Freezes things all over the land.
The only thing that slows him down
Is breaking through the ice as he moves around.
When he is close, it's too cold to stand.
So no one ever shakes his hand.
That is very good advice.
With one touch you'd turn to ice.
'Cause he's Jack Frost, with his icy hand,
Freezing things all over the land.
The only thing that slows him down
Is breaking through the ice as he moves around.
Jack is sad and lonely too.
He would love to talk with you.
But no one ever stays around,
When Jack Frost has come to town.
'Cause he's Jack Frost, with his icy hand,
Freezing things all over the land.
The only thing that slows him down
Is breaking through the ice as he moves around.
He paints my windows every night.
Covers them with scenes of white.
Flowers and trees each day are new.
Only to melt when the sun shines through.
'Cause he's Jack Frost, with his icy hand,
Freezing things all over the land.
The only thing that slows him down
Is breaking through the ice as he moves around.
Once upon a time, a long long time ago, and far far away...
{You didn't really think I was going to give you the whole story
here did you?}
Ask. It's a great winter tale. And Tasha Tripod got a staring
role. She loves the story, especially her parts.
Arkansas was a blur as the Vardo cruised at its best of the trip.
Right through until we gassed up just West of Oklahoma City.
Water in the gas. Top speed 45 miles an hour. No amount of dry
gas helped. Each stop for an attempt at a fix ate away at the
safety margin we had left for reaching Stratford, TX. Sue even
offered to let me rent a car and she'd catch up as she could.
Nice offer, but there were no rental cars unless we turned back
to Oklahoma City and that was now hours behind us. Luckily, we
found an auto parts store with our gas filter just before the
Texas line. We made it to Stratford just 48 minutes before show
time. 2,464.9 miles from home.
The Imagination Station is a Children's Museum (almost). They
have a Art Car painted by the children, an Arts & Craft Room,
and two large empty open rooms they use to display traveling
exhibits or for performances. They do not charge admissions. If
any tellers are traveling through the area, they are invited to
call Evlyn Schmidt (806) 396-2380. While they do accept (gladly)
donations, they offer free field trips to the schools in all five
area states, as well as free show for the public.
This evening's show had a wonderful audience. Some of the folks
came 80 miles to be a part of it. It is obvious when an audience
has had exposure to telling as this one did. They step into the
stories with a vengeance. I got a request for the Three Pigs.
Sometimes, I think that is THE best loved story in the US. I
didn't do the whole thing though. Not enough time. They were
happy just to do the part where the wolf blows down the houses.
So much fun. There was one very unusual twist. While telling the
Golden Goose my princess turned out to be a boy (that happens, I
don't worry about the sex of the characters), but he not only
didn't want to be a princess, he didn't want to be a prince. He
wanted to be a puppy. So the king had a puppy that wouldn't
laugh. It was hilarious. The crowd roared.
Evlyn had arranged for us to park for the night at the edge of a
corn field just outside town. The dogs loved it. It was their
first real freedom in four days. It was nice be doing shows in
the same place the next morning. One note about the field trip
students. The first group was so great that I forgot to pace
myself. I bearly got through the second show. Looking for a good
audience? There's a great one in Stratford.
--
Pax & Amicitia,
Papa Joe
Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
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