CAC Benevolent Fund

Saturday Night Slam

BWC 9/12/04

I have received word that Steve "Dr. Death" Williams is doing OK after having his voice box removed. He will be home soon.--Percival

As I rose from a good night's sleep on the morning of September 9, I knew this was not going to be a short day for me. I went and did what I needed to do for eight hours and then came back to my home to ready myself for the next seven hours of travel.

As I eased my Grand Marquis onto the Ohio Turnpike and headed east, I kind of felt some butterflies coming into the pit of my stomach. In just a couple of days, I would be graduating from Boogie's Wrestling Camp ... a/k/a BWC. I had mixed emotions about the long trip of nearly 700 miles ahead of me.

The miles seemed to click away, and soon, I was at the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the second stage of the trip. Arriving at Breezewood, I topped off my fuel and headed southeast towards Washington D.C. It wasn't very long, and I connected with I-70 East and Maryland. Before you knew it, I was at I-81 that connects to the north and south into Virginia.

I stopped for the night just as I got onto I-81 at Hagerstown. I looked at my watch, and I had been up for 19 hours, and I was very tired out. My head hit the pillow, and I fell fast asleep.

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, I proceeded down I-81 towards Staunton, where I would pick up I-64 East to 29 South, which would take me to Lynchburg where Teri, Steve and Keelie live. Anyone that has traveled on 29 will tell you it is not a fast-paced road. In fact, you can see sights like Walton's Mountain General Store, many roadside wine vineyards, historical markers by the dozens and friendly smiling people that wave at you when you pass.

I was deeply in thought about my acceptance speech for the graduation, and, before you knew it, I was in Lynchburg and nearing exit 10, which is Timberlake road that would take me to Teri and Steve's house.

Arriving and unpacking was a big job, as we had brought many items for Keelie to enjoy and to help her learn. Climbing steps with heavy luggage is not one of my favorite things to do, but I endured the pain and got the job done.

We spent the rest of the day and evening enjoying and relaxing with the kids. Saturday, we went shopping and got a few things that we had not packed. The rest of the day was spent unwinding and getting in a few naps when I was not trying to show Keelie how to work some of her new musical toys.

Sunday morning, I awoke at 7 a.m. and proceeded to get ready to leave for Shawsville, almost 100 miles more to the south. The trip is an easy one, as the connecting route 460 is close to the house. There was a lot of low lying fog, and it made the trip a little hectic at times.

Arriving in Roanoke around 9:30, I again got back on I-81 for another 32 miles to the Shawsville exit 118C. Turning left, I started to climb up very steep mountain grades and then sped downhill towards my turnoff at Spring Mountain Road. As I turned right and started back into the mountain area for the last six miles, I was treated to some of the prettiest scenery that any place in this world has to offer.

Majestic mountaintops, fields of corn and other crops dotted the entire countryside. Many churches dot the few villages that are between the city of Shawsville and Boogie's home. There are mountain streams that have the clearest water I have ever seen running right along side of the road.

After climbing to the apex of the one peak, I came to Boogie's Wrestling Compound. It also has his beautiful 100-year-old home adjoining the complex that Boogie and Angel call "The White House".

I parked in the special area reserved for family and proceeded to get out and go to the arena where Boogie was. Angel met me and said that she would get Boogie to come down and say hey to me.

After the hugs and handshakes, I proceeded to let them both know that I had picked up two orphans along Route 29 earlier that day, and they needed a place to stay. I told Boogie that since he was retiring in 16 weeks that he might become a good stepparent to them. Boogie just kind of looked at me like, "WHAT ARE YOU PULLING ON ME NOW????"

I went to the rear passenger door on my car and pulled out a cement statue of two small kids kind of hugging and told him he needed to find a special place at his home for these orphans. Both Angel and Boogie had big smiles on their faces with my gift, and Boogie took the statue to his rock garden right in front of the Hall of Fame building and placed them right in front of a huge rock. They seem like they will enjoy all the company they will get every Sunday when school is in session.

To be continued....

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2004 CAC Honoree