OK I have no idea where I left off. My guess is we were sleeping in Wehlitz car somewhere in between Eugene and Salem. So here we go...
Salem Oregon was one of our only set plans for this epic trip. As some of you will know and some of you will not, a young man by the name of Noah Zavis hosts a radio show out of the Montagg Center at Willamet University. The Show is called the Zavis at 8 show even though it airs from 4-5. When asked about this Zavis will reply, "yeah but it sounds better with the 8." A case of pure brilliance if I've ever heard one.
So big daddy Weh Weh and I make it to Salem with time to spare. Hungry we cruise to a diner in full homage to the fifties and Elvis Presley. The decore was awesome and they boasted of a burger beyond epic proportions. I forget the name of this burger but it was a cheese burger with all the fixin's plus bacon, ham, and a fried egg. Simply reading about it I saw that I was being challenged. The only problem was my hunger for hashbrowns, but when our waitress allowed to make a substitution I knew I was in business. It was a battle from start to finish, but in the end I tamed the wild beast.
We found the university, parked, and rode around until the desired hour. Here's the scene. Eric and I are hiding on a couch in the Montag center; a student lounge area adorned with couches, a pool table, and posters of everyone's favorite movies. We know the time at hand and quietly wait for our beautiful boy to appear. Four grows closer and closer and just as I begin to doubt if he will ever come... there he is! His cleanly shaven beard, blue jacket, and huge star of David bling make him shine in my road weary eyes. We wait for him to go into the radio room and set up and then we attack.
I will not go into detail about the broadcast because anyone who really wants to know will subscribe to his free podcast and listen for themselves. Just search podcasts for the Zavis at 8 show and then load the March 19th episode. If anyone needs further incentive know that there's both Karaoke and free style rapping on it.
It was during this broadcast that we learned about a Karaoke event going down that night at the Bistro cafe. Of course Eric Weh-face and I were down. We waited it out and then stormed the event. The music list was lacking to say the least but we made do. I started it off with a little Greased Lightning from Grease. It was a energetic performance that lost a little steam during the 48 bar musical break where I was left to just dance and go crazy for an extended period of time. Wehlmansin followed it up with "I like big Butts" by sir mixalot. It was glorious. We then brought down the house with our duet interpretation of Bohemian Rhapsody. Lets just say figurative panties were being thrown. Of course there were other people singing as well and it was during one of those songs that one of our most exciting moments of the trip transpired.
Wehlitz who right now is sleeping curled up in the sun in a beautiful house in Seattle will probably have some things to add, but I'll tell my experience of it. I was sitting in the front row watching a nice girl do her Karaoke when I hear what sounded like my name being screamed in the cafe. Of course who would be screaming my name? So I paid it no mind and continued to watch. Suddenly Eric was at my side grabbing me and ushering me to the back of the cafe. There standing before me was one of the most beautiful men I have ever laid my eyes upon. NOEL KERSEY!
Apparently Noel goes to Willamet for Law school. We of course did not know that but all the better to be surprised. Aftere sticking around to flirt with the all women acapela group we set off for some drinks. Not much is open in Salem at 11:30 on a Wednesday but we found a bar and what a time we had. Brady, Eric, Noah, and Noel!!! Wow. The high light for me was when Noel with very little warning threw an ice cube at my face which I caught in my mouth. After which Noel screams, "That's what's missing from this town! People can't do that here!"
We slept at Noels house and spent the following day exploring Salem a bit. we kept it pretty mellow as that night was Purim and we were expecting a roudy time. Purim, which was boasted to us by Noah Zavis was in a dorm room and had several Tawongans there. Not only myself, Eric, Noah, and Noel, but also Alison Gilman, and Lisa Mandel. I will not go into the specifics of the night as they were pretty odd, but lets just say that we learned about Aaron and the Mandel clan from Lisa!
The following morning we packed up, hugged Noel good bye and set off for Portland via Silverton.
That's all for now. Next you'll hear about Silverton Falls, Portland, and Walla Walla.
