Portland, OR

Our venue today in Salem OR -- the Elsinore Theatre -- was really awesome. First of all, it's an old vaudeville house (built in the 20's), but it was restored by this company out of New York that specializes in restoring old theaters. The dressing rooms were all renovated, too, so we weren't in some scabby dungeon.

As the name implies (Castle Elsinore, from "Hamlet"), the theatre is designed to look like a castle, complete with stained glass windows, arched doorways, windows and walkways, and medieval-looking light fixtures. There are beautiful murals painted everywhere of scenes from the Scottish Play, Romeo & Juliet, Tempest

The theatre also has a beautiful, big pipe organ, and as it turned out, the house manager also doubles as an organist. So during load-out, he fired up the organ and played us selections from "Phantom" (silly show, but perfect organ music) and "Star Wars"! It was so awesome; the sound was just phenomenal, and the organist was so pleased to show us all the bells and whistles (literally!) of the pipe organ. It's even hooked up to play a remote player piano! The organist's talents weren't just wasted on us -- they actually play a lot of silent movies, there, too.

Anyways, the drive up to Portland was uneventful; and THEN... we drove straight through the city of Portland to the north side... which is all rail yards, water treatment plants and the occasional sex shop. EW! We are at the sketchiest Travel Lodge in creation -- sorry, Lindsay, but it's true -- with no internet, no elevator, no fridge or microwave... basically, it's crap-TASTIC!

But, we only have one quick show tomorrow morning, and then we start the beautiful drive to Denver! We'll be going through some gorgeous areas (like Arches National Park)... and of course the Rockies, which, well... rock.

One thing at a time, though.
Portland, first.
...LIVE IN THE NOW!