We knew that we would need to get the tire fixed up but we decided that we would figure it out along the way. We started driving towards the interstate and we just so happened to pass this tire shop that wasn't too busy so we quick turned around and Mark went to see if they could fix our tire right on the spot. Sure enough, they told us to bring it on over. In a matter of minutes, and for REALLY cheap, they fixed the tire and had it back on the car and we were ready for our drive. That was such a blessing for us in what could have been a disaster.
Each of our drives were different from each other, we seriously got to see so many different landscapes. From flatlands, to rolling hills, to luscious trees, to the ocean, and now we were driving in the desert. And it was HOT. We always tried to quiz each other, whoever was driving would cover up thermometer in the car and ask the other what they thought the temperature was. These were by far our hottest days. It got to 100 and then climbed to 103, 105, and eventually got to 108 degrees. So yeah, we were thankful for a tire that was fixed and air conditioning that worked.
We went straight to A Shot in the Dark Cafe where we were playing a show our first night and got things set up right away so that we could have a little chill time.
Any time I had the chance I was on the computer trying to keep up with documenting our adventures. I was posting something to our facebook when I got a little facebook chat from Stacy, Mark's sister, telling me to go on Skype. So we logged on and got to have a little Skype session with their family and it was just terrific timing. Adi showed us her beatboxing skills that she had been practicing since she saw me beatbox at a show and it was absolutely adorable.
I got a chai tea latte during this show and I have got to say it was THE best chai tea latte I have ever had. The perfect blend of cream and spice. And I pretty much got a chai tea latte wherever we went. So if you ever find your way to Tucson, stop in for a chai tea latte at A Shot in the Dark.
Before I go any further I should probably include a little backstory of our Tucson adventure. We originally put this stop on the map because an old friend of Mark's lives in Tucson. So when we were planning the trip Mark had talked to him about swinging down there, playing a couple shows and staying with his family. It was going to be a cool time to connect in Arizona. Well, the day before we left for the tour, Mark's friend told him that he wasn't going to be in town and we couldn't stay with his family. Talk about quite the surprise just as we were getting ready to leave. We had a couple friends over for our last night in Madison, and one of them said he had a friend in Tucson that he would talk to and see if they could figure something out. Thankfully in those next couple days we got in touch with Jason, who offered to be our host for the two days we would be in town. So after the show we went to go meet Jason. [This was from a picture that he got on the ground to take of us, so I had to quick snap one of him and his commitment.]
The next day Jason decided to take us up the Santa Catalina mountains, specifically Mt. Lemmon, which is the tallest peak there. Every couple thousand feet of elevation that you climbed up, there were spots where you could pull over and park and check out the scenery. It's crazy how much the scenery could look different from one stop to the next. Different plants, different cacti, different animals.
I had this book with me called Wreck This Journal, where I was doing different things that would go against every fiber in my being that wants to keep a book perfect, in order to wreck it in some way. We thought this would be the perfect time to throw my journal at a cactus and then proceed to throw it off the ledge to the landing below. In the midst of all of that, I also thought it was the perfect time to hug a cactus, just for the sake of saying that I hugged a cactus. (And yes, I had little spines stuck all over me after that. And yes, it was worth it.)
We got to the top of the mountain and it was the first time it was comfortable being outside because the temperature dropped 30 degrees from the base of the mountain to the top. We soaked in the scenery, stopped to have a little pizza for lunch, and then headed back down.
We had a show that night at Java Edge in Tanque Verde. What a terrific night. First of all, I had the greatest Italian soda there and they kept offering to hook us up with whatever we needed. The owner showed us incredible hospitality and really went out of her way to promote the show. She had created fliers and sent out our press release and put a big effort in inviting people from the community to come out to the show. So the folks that were there that night really came to listen.
It was honestly the best show of the tour. One of those ones where Mark got to tell the stories behind the songs and we both felt really strong and connected. Everything lined up perfectly, and it was one of those nights that reminds you why you love doing what you're doing. And you wish every show was like that, but they happen just often enough to keep you going until the next show where everything feels perfect.
I was so happy that Mark was cool with packing up by himself that night, because I had been dying to go swimming all tour long. (And our quick hop in the ocean doesn't count!) So Jason and I went back to the pool to hang out and chat for a while before it closed for the night and I finally got my swim in. Mark packed up and immediately went back to get some rest because he decided that he was going to get up super early and bike up Mt. Lemmon. Yeah, that huge mountain that we just drove up earlier in the day, he decided he was going to BIKE it. One of the people at the show mentioned that Lance Armstrong had trained on that mountain and Mark made the decision that he was going to do it, too, because he didn't know if he'd ever get the chance to do it again. What an inspiration. If this guy puts his mind to it, he will do everything in his power to make it happen. He even picked up breakfast burritos for us on his way back! He showered, we packed up and of course, it was time to get back on the road again.
Until next time,
Jordan
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