Adventure Day 38 & 39: Cats, Travel And Friends

So sorry about no update yesterday, it was an epic day of shooting with killer killer heat.

Yesterday we packed up and said goodbye to good ole Wichita and made our way deep into the farmlands of Kansas. We arrived at a farm in Wilson for our next segment. Our focus today was on person who makes cat furniture but does it in a way that is unique and not something you will find in every random pet store. We spent a good time focusing on how the process of making the furniture was done and we have some great footage of our host putting together one of these pieces. The two people we were interviewing were extremely nice to everyone and really made me feel at home.

The shoot was just fine, we got allot covered and spent all day there. The biggest challenge through out the entire day was the heat. Now I have now been in the southern USA for close to two weeks now, and as a result most of the time the temperature does not really get below 90 degrees. The heat in Wilson was no more then 93 or so, and we have in fact shot in hotter weather. What really did us in is most of the time whenever we were shooting, most of the time it was all indoors. Add some really sticky humidity and a strong breeze that only blows hot air at you and you have a bad time my friends. Everyone stayed hydrated and we all got through it just fine, but by the time we were done shooting I felt like the most disgusting human being every in desperate need for a shower.

After our shoot had ended we made our way to the town next over for the rest of the night. I was able to unpack and then decided to take care off some shopping because there was a Wallmart literally next door. So I went off and got some supplies that would be required for the crew and dinner for myself. I get back to my hotel room thinking I can finally shower when as I am unpacking I realize something. Out of all the things I have to keep track of, my bags, the equipment, papers etc I have done a decent job of not forgetting or losing anything. Well last night ended that streak, I realized I sadly left my phone charger back in my hotel in Wichita. Now out of everything I could have forgotten, leaving behind just my phone charger is allot better then leaving behind a piece of equipment. So one more trek back to the Wallmart for there cheap knock off brand version of my phone charger and I was all set and then finally was able to get the shower I had been longing for.

And thus ended our time in Kansas.

Today has been just a good travel day to get us to Denver Colorado. Once again the trip was mostly uneventful which is a good all things considered. Our drive was really only just short of six hours which is a welcome change from the 6 to 8 hour drives of the past so it felt like it just blew by. Knocked off some more pod-casts but they are dwindling to very low levels. I also finished the second Lord John book just as we were arriving to our hotel, so I will have to start the third one quite soon. Made it to Colorado with ease and I realized I went back in time again by another hour, so I am now two hours behind all east coast peeps again. So far in that time I was able to get very much needed laundry done. Also while hanging out at our hotel we were suddenly bombarded by a freak HAIL storm. I was just relaxing when I hear this loud pounding on the window and I thought someone was trying to break into my window. I then see  this!

What was crazy is just five minutes later the sun was shining like it never happened at all. Being from New England I am used to spastic weather patterns and sudden changes, but hail was a new one for me I gotta say.

Later this evening I was able to meet up with my friend Jess! She is one of my friends from school whom I have not seen since New Years. We had a very fun low key evening. Just some home cooked food, some nice beers and her new dog! Apparently today she and her boyfriend just got a dog so this was its first day home. It was a really great relaxing evening of just chatting and catching up.

So with that tomorrow starts our last two segments of of Episode 4, its very crazy to think that just five days ago I was in Mississippi and by Monday I will be in Nebraska. Alright time to get some rest so tomorrows day of adventure can begin!

Amazing Bar

So I just came back from dinner after finding this amazing bar.

Its called the Vagabond Cafe which right there gets points for an awesome name. At first before I went in I didn’t know what to think because there were these bikers all hanging out at front. However when you go in its completly different. Its a smallish type bar with a few booths small tables and the actual bar. It has a very nice relaxed vibe too it. The music seems to be constantly either Indie or Punk rock of some kind, but not really loud or opressive very low key and mellow. Inside there were tons of these hipsters all drinking and on there laptops. The place was ripe with skinny jeans, allot of beards and tattoos. Also they were playing South Park on there TV. They do a combination of Beers and Coffee’s, there apparently open from like 8 am too 2 am so I guess that incorporates the entire bar/cafe thing. Also the biggest thing I noticed was how people were allowed to smoke inside the bar, so to the hipsters that was a paradise.

The bar was very laid back and mellow and not crowded at all. I was able to get my food and my Guinness and just chill in peace, while hearing really funny stories. I’m not a huge bar hopper I honestly do not really care where I go when I go out drinking because half the time I am with my friends and the place does not matter that much. This was the first time that I actually liked where I was and the people that were around me as a bar setting. I am very happy I decided to go out and check it out, it really was a awesome find. I liked this place so much I’m bummed that a place like that does not exist back home. Well at least there is now one thing that would ever convince me to come back to Wichita Kansas.
If anyone here happens to find there way here in Wichita check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Adventure Day 37: Go Wichita!

So today was a good long productive day of cats and lots of cats. Today’s segment focused around an online celebrate. A person who became very popular for doing an online video revolving around cats. We were going to his house to get to know about him, his love of his cats, and why he does the things he does.

We rolled out pretty early and had plenty of time to meet up with our star and his cats. We had a great interview with him about why he loves his cats, and what inspires him to do what he does. He has had allot of online followers, fans, and even some marriage proposals. We also learned that before he did his videos he would actually go out and try to get homes for abandoned cats. We spent a good part of the day at his house, and got allot of good stuff. Our host also sang a new song about him and his cats which is very catchy and even now is still suck in my head.

After our shoot there, we had a quick break and had lunch. Man I had one of the THE best delis sandwiches I have ever had. It was a combination of Turkey, Avocado, Cream Cheese and sprouts. Now I know that might sound disgusting at first but it was so intriguing I had to try it and I gotta tell you it was just incredible. The fact that I am even devoting a part of this post to what I ate should say something.

After lunch we met up with this person who helped rescue one of our stars abandoned cats. We learned that through his love of cats and his internet videos he was able to help out this cat and this person and have a really good success story. After our success story we went onto the street to talk to some people to see if they had heard of our star and his videos, and a good number of people have!

So it was a good day I gotta say. Now its crucial I find some food and get ready for another long productive day tomorrow. I say goodbye to Wichita tomorrow and head off to farmlands of Kansas.

Adventure Day 36: Hello Wichita!

So today was just another travel day to get to our next location. I said goodbye to Arkansas and made my way towards Kansas. Once again for the most of it the driving was uneventful. Lots of podcasts listened too and lots more of Lord John. I forgot to mention yesterday but I found it strangely fitting that I was listening to This American Life yesterday, and the whole topic was on Roadtrips. I found it cool even though I did not personally relate to the stories. It was more of just like hey I’m on a roadtrip and now there is a podcast on it.

I spent some time in Oklahoma for about roughly two hours. I’m pretty sure by the time I am done with this trip I will be able to count all the states I HAVEN’T been too on both hands. While filling up at a gas station I encountered a row of christen themed T-Shirts. The one that caught my eye the most was this.

Another interesting reminder that I am certainly not home anymore. I”m not saying this is a bad thing, its just really interesting to see the small differences in the country.

So I’m now in Wichita and just relaxing before a nice long day tomorrow. Apparently Kansas is due for a big thunderstorm of some kind. I don’t know what they mean its bright and sunny right now, granted that could all change in an instance but I don’t’ know. I would not be that surprised being from New England and all. These next few weeks are going to be very travel intensive, I mean by Friday I will be in Colorado.