On June 21st and 22nd I went to Philadelphia Pa. with Wyatt to see two Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation shows. We left on Monday morning (well, it was 1:45 in the afternoon when we finally got going, but the intention was there). Our trip down was enjoyable enough: two hours gentle traveling through the pastrol Amish Country. Our only "mistake" we made was in supporting local colour and atmosphere. We made the critical error of eating at the "Country Cottage", or "Sam Peckinpahs Slaughter House" whatever it was called I am not sure.

We figured it was better to support the yocales instead of eating at that staple of American Big Fat thats is Mcdonalds. If you haven'y guessed already, our meal was lackluster at best. Wyatts steak was done the way he asked only in the inch the waitress cut for him to ask him "that all right?" My roast was all right enough, but the put friggin' ORANGE PEALS in my mashed potatoes. ORANGE PEALS!!! Thats right, it warrented three exclamation points, that is to show you how pissed off I was at the culinary genius that is their chef.

Well, we made it to Philly (actually UPPER DARBY) around 9 that evening, and it wasnt until 11:30 or so that we made berth at the enchanted Summit Inn. All I am going to say about this charming little hostel was that at 5:30ish our first morning there we received a phone call from the front desk. Apparently when I parked my car I managed to block in a van. Damn. Didnt see the van, okay. Me and Wyatt go out to the parking lot, accompanied by a angry little man in coveralls. When I went to my car, where no van was withing a 10 yard radius he yelled, "No its down here". After explaining to him the car I was at WAS my car he insisted on showing us his blocked in van. Well, we didnt care and walked back to the motel. He followed us stating "I know what my driver will say 'Fuck it' thats what he'll say. 'Fuck it'" Fuck it. Wyatt replied "I know what I'm about to say..." and with that it was back to bed.

Oh yeah, the concert. We met up with a woman Wyatt had met at a Robert Plant show in Myrtle Beach earlier that year, Cindi, and a friend of hers named Matt. Both very nice people. The show itself was excellent, both nights. As you know, or will soon discover, I do not review live shows I see. I sometimes might give out a setlist, but not yet. Quick notes though. First night we were pretty close to the back of the venue. The Tower Theater seats roughly 5000 bodies. The second show we were in the 8th row I believe. Much better seats. He mixed his new material from "The Mighty Rearranger" with some retooled Zeppelin classics. This caused one negative quality in the show. Whenever a song started that was not well known, a large part of the audience sat down, much to the behest of Wyatt and myself. It was a relatively short set both nights, but to me at least very enjoyable.

The other memories I bring back are driving around downtown Philly at 1am trying to find out what hotel the band might be staying in, NOT seeing the Liberty Bell, and a girl asking Wyatt if she could kick him in the knee "Why?" girl-"Because it will make me happy". Wow. And I thought girls tripping on acid at Phish concerts stealing hats, yanking arms, with protectors named Timmy, made for good fun.

~Oz