Last year at Camp...
So last year, over Memorial Day I went to Improv Utopia 2013. It was pure bliss. Improv Gods taught by day, scrumptious vegetarian food was available, the views were crazy with all them elephant seals, and the night was just as wild around Mozzi's or the campfire.
In fact, last year I met James. From California. He was a econ professor who when standing around listening to the local band, and asked if he would cut in on the cute old dancing couple, he took another sip of beer and then said yeah. So when he declared he and his fiancee were moving from California to upstate New York and he would be driving back the following year, how could I not say no.
Push came to shove, and before you knew it I'm driving cross-country for camp.
Before we headed out, I made t-shirts. Because how can you honestly not make road trip t-shirts so this epic adventure. I stole an image of his head from Facebook, and made us both coming out the window while we drove down a rainbow road of improv suggestions (including bus stop, dildo and unicorn).
Upon giving it to him, Monday at 6am he said "crazy.." I'll take crazy over creepy. About 5 hours later he said something along the lines of "we should change so we can wear these when we show up on Friday." So we did.
I have to admit I didn't do too much of the driving. But in my defense, it was windy and the Pruis that James has feels like it's being pulled in every direction.
We made it from Detroit, MI to Omaha, NE in Day 1. (or at least, my day 1). We didn't really do too much in Omaha. Ate at some authentic Mexican restaurant. Watched the Tigers on TV and had a Detroit Improv Collective Board meeting.
From Omaha, NE to Denver in Day 2. In Denver we stopped at a brewery and had a couple specials. Then we solicited about buying pot because it is legal here. So the waitress tells us where to go, across the street where the glass doors with gold handles are - there is classical music playing. We went and bought some edibles. Also, edibles taste gross. Then I left James with his cousin and made it over to the Bovine Metro Theatre where I was one of 4 audience members. On the flip, Third Curd was amazing. Then I booked it over to Voodoo Theatre where the owner Steve was waiting for me. We drank lots, improvised, karaoked and closed another bar before I wondered across Denver back to James' cousins place.
Day 3 came really quick and we went from Devner to Las Vegas, NV. We attempted to check into the incorrect hotel. I found this hilarious. James was mortified. We ended up at El Cortez and then changed/showered and went down to the casino floor. We grabbed a bite to eat over at the Container Park since it was legit right across from the hotel, the wandered around Fremont St.
Day 4 we stayed in Vegas. We took the bus to the strip and stopped at MGM to play the oldest machine that has never hit a jackpot. I stuck in $20 and cashed out at $100. Was up to $300 at one point, but alas... Made it back to El Cortex ate those edibles and then laughed at the keno numbers. .
Day 5 got out of Vegas and headed to Cambria, CA. We really did drive over like every bit of terrain. Snowy mountains, dry grasses, rolling hills, flat land, but the California coast drive was my favorite. It was amazing. Beautiful bluffs overlooking the blue ocean. The sky had light puffy clouds way up there. It was just amazing. And then we rolled up to camp. In our freaking matching t-shirts. So much fun!