Montana to Michigan

I don't mind waking up to views like this!

After our days off there was a show in Missoula, MT. They’d never played there before, it was a Tuesday night, there weren’t many ticket pre-sales, and there weren’t any local openers billed until the day before, so we weren’t expecting a big turn out. While it wasn’t a huge crowd, they were very enthusiastic. Run 2 Cover had a lot of friends and family come out for the show, and that helped a ton.

Sound check!

Ahh!  Riggs has no face!

That night after everyone but the crew and a couple of guys from the venue were gone, we were loading out via the elevator (the show was in the basement). Erik went to take a load to the elevator, and found a guy passes out in it. Luckily the guys from the bar went to take care of it. Apparently they couldn’t wake him up, so they dragged him out onto the street where someone from the 1st floor show claimed him as their drummer.

Next we were off to Billings, MT. Kim and Jr had an interview while we were setting up. Kim said it was one of the best interviews she’d ever done. This guy had gone through old interviews to make sure he didn’t ask questions that have already been asked a million times, something Kim has talked about before. 

The Billings show had a better turn out than Missoula, crowd was awesome and it was a fun night :)

We then had a day off to get to Des Moines, IA. On the way, at some place in South Dakota, we stopped for food at a place called Shooters. We ended up stopping at the right place on the right night at the right time! They had buy one get one free burgers after 8pm, half off drafts all day, and our waiter Scott was SUPER awesome! 

That night we drove through some super creepy low hanging fog. No pictures of it though :(

The next show in Des Moines was at Vaudeville Mews where we’ve been several times before. Des Moines is always a little awkward because they have a REALLY early show, then a curfew where they kick out all of the minors, then have a late show after we leave. Despite all of that, there was a good turn out and the crowd had great energy!

Ahh! Riggs has no face again!

Just as we finished packing up the trailer, a couple walked up asking if One-Eyed Doll was playing tonight. We had to break the news to them that they were already done :( Kim and Jr were on the bus with a couple of VIPs that couldn’t get off of work in time to make it to the pre-show VIP, so they invited them on as well. The guy had just started listening to them a couple o months ago and this would have been his first time seeing them. Instead, he got some one-on-one extra special time on the bus because Kim and Jr are so awesome and really care about their fans. It sucks that they missed the show, but what a way to meet a band you like for the first time :)

After that, we had to do the mandatory stop at Zombie Burger, especially since we missed it last tour.

My "bun" is actually grilled cheese

On the way out of town we stopped at the creepiest truck stop ever! Where we were first parked we had to walk like a mile to the actually building, all the while not seeing a single other person. We got there, and the laundry room was up on the second floor. We put some laundry in, and wandered around a bit. Down the hallway there was a random ticket booth with a mannequin in it.

Kim braving the scary hallway alone.

Walking down the hall to check it out, we came across crazy mirrors at weird places that make it seem like a fun house. The mannequin is across the hall from 2 doors that don’t have handles or hinges. If you make it to the end of the hallway, there’s a random booth seat. Then, around the corner the hallway to the showers. There were dusty foot prints on the floor (they were doing construction) that just suddenly ended! Past all of that is a little balcony lounge with a couple of TVs. Flipping through channels Riggs came across the adult toy home shopping network. I didn’t even know that was a thing……..  Behind the balcony is a weird little ledge with 2 diner booths randomly set up on it.

Downstairs was the main store area, so I went to down to find some hot tea for me (I rhymed!) and cream soda for Riggs (rhyme fail). Erik came down in the elevator and discovered a secret lower level! He took me down there after I bought my drinks. There were flickering neon lights, sounds of dripping water off in the distance, a bad smell, and empty crates everywhere. We did not go exploring…  

After our laundry was done, we picked up the bus from it’s oil change, got the trailer washed, and got away from the scary truck stop.

The next day we were in Danville, IL at Vintage Villains playing a convention. It was an AWESOME comic book/toy shop with a second room that had pinball machines and a stage. I’m kind of regretting not splurging and buying the $120 Pee Wee’s Playhouse set. Not only was this place, and the owner, cool, but Psychostick was playing as well. It was nice getting to see them again. It was not nice having to deal with the fans that got too drunk and were obnoxious :(

Stage full of helpers

Ghost friend :)

Kim mid air after jumping off of the drum set

Our (Blurry) Friends, Psychostick!

After Danville we had 2 days off on our way to Detroit. We were passing through Battle Creek, so we stopped by so I could see my parents. I haven’t seen them since the end of the Mushroomhead tour back in December 2013. We got in late, so we just went out for dessert (I ate lunch/dinner) and sat at their house catching up for a bit. Then I met back up with everyone and we watched the lunar eclipse. Clouds kept blocking it on and off, but we could see enough of it to be cool.

After we had our fill of staring at the moon, we stopped by a Battle Creek must, Sweetwater's Donut Mill. I've gotten Jason addicted to their fritters, which are literally the size of his head. They also made us some fresh maple glazed long johns, let us sample their experimental "dough-gasm," put up with our crazy photo shoots, and I got my favorite New York Cheesecake donut and bought a travel mug (it was the first one the cashier had ever sold).

I stole this from Jeff...

After playing there for too long, we went shopping at one of my favorite Mid West places, Meijer!!!! Not only did I finally find string lights that look more purple than pink, but they had my juice!!!!! So far this tour, every time we stopped somewhere (Walmart, local grocery store, truck stop, etc.) I’ve been looking for Bolthouse Farms C-Boost and NO ONE has carried that particular kind. But Meijer had it!!! :D :D :D Meijer is awesome!!!