This is my first report from the Gary Numan U.S/Canada Tour '98
LOOK FOR UPDATED "NUMANBOY ON THE ROAD" REPORTS, DURING THE TOUR
Updated 16 May, 1998
29 April 1998: After a frantic evening geting things together and packing, I finally hit the road at 10:21pm. Since I was running 4 hours late I knew I wouldn't reach my goal that night of Memphis, TN, so I just popped in a Gary Numan tape and took a deep breath. The soothing sound of"Music for Chameleons" drifted out the speakers as I began rolling down the great American highway. After about 4 hours, it was time to call it a night and I tucked myself in, at the Economy Inn, in Malvern, Arkansas. Note to self: ALWAYS request a non-smoking room. It was not the most pleasant of lodgings, but my body and mind rested and at 11:00 on Thurday morning, my little red pick up and I continued the journey. The solitute of the ride that day was most welcome after a very hectic two weeks. The fine folks in the State of Tennessee keep their roads well maintained and and I was able to keep up an average of 70 mph throughout the day. The rains held off until I crossed into Virginia and at a rest stop enjoying a turkey on rye, which I prepared in my rolling kitchen on wheels, I targeted Whytheville, VA as my stop for the night. I decided that my Motel 6 directory should be the deciding factor in my nightly lodging decisions. So for $25.99, I enjoyed an excellant night's sleep listening to the rainfall in the green hills of Southern Virginia. I was now only 1 hour short of my goal (Roanoke, VA), so I felt confident that I would hit Philadelphia on time the next day. The next morning, I awake to the continuing rain. So with my cup of complimentary Motel 6 coffee and my Mrs. Baird's donut's, I hit the road once again. This was a tough morning of driving. The rains were torential and although the traffic was light, it consisted mainly of 18 wheelers which were churning up a lot a road water, cutting down my visibility. And as I climbed high into the Appalacian foothills, the fog rolled in. It was a tough drive, but as I approached West Virginia, the fog began to lift and so did my spirits....
I was a bit disapointed that I could not enjoy the spendid Virginia scenery, due to the rain, but the goal was Philadelphia. I rolled across the West Virginia state line and honked my horn, which is a silly little thing I do every time I cross a state line. Not two songs had played on the tape player before I was in Maryland. Again, "honk". Then before I knew it, The Pennsylvania border appeared. "Honk" again. Now I had briefly looked at my trusted Rand McNally, but not good enough this time. I got a bit confused at the signage and the next thing I knew I was sitting at a stop light in front of a mall in, I think, Camp Hill, PA. See, there is no direct interchange with Rte 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. How daft is that? Well after a few miles, I managed to get myself on "the pike". I'll describe the road conditions. "Nice and smooth"? NOT! And I'm paying extra for this road! I ended up shelling out almost $7.00 for that lovely ride. And then I had another misinterpetation of the map. Glancing at the map at 70 mph (actually that would be 65 mph for all you law enforcement officials), I read that 276 would take me into Philly. Wrong again. As I passed over the Delaware River, I looked to my right and left and "My City was Gone". "Damn, where did they put Philadelphia!" So now I was on a congested New Jersey road trying to get to my motel in Mt Laurel, NJ. It's now 5:00 rush hour and I had hoped to be at the Pre-Show gathering by now! Well a few deep breaths and about 45 min later I located my hotel. You never saw anyone check in, unload luggage, and change clothes so fast. Now I was unfamilar with Philadelphia, but I pretty much knew where the venue was. What I didn't know was, the best way to get there. So I drove over the Walt Whitman Bridge (another toll) and chose 7th Street as my route to downtown since it appeared as a main drag on the map. Well, if this a main drag, I'd hate to see their side streets. It's a one way street and just about wide enough to let a stick fiqure riding a bicycle through, and the neiborhood was one that probably appears on many a police report! Well , I made it through and after circling the block around the venue, I located a parking garage and secured the truck. As a walked down the street, towards Starbucks (the meeting palce), I heard a shout from across the street. "Hey Numanboy!" My 15 minutes of fame....