USA Music Tour 2015 Day 11
Jacksonville Florida 31 August
The sixth fayettevilleroots festival is over. In reviewing the past three days, I can’t recall having such an easy and joyful festival experience. I have found that it usually takes a second or third go at such an event to really find your feet and make the most of the experience. But not at Fayetteville Arkansas, where it has been as easy as pie. Easily walking just about everywhere.
I’ll be doing a consolidated story of the whole deal when circumstances allow. In the interim, here are some of the pluses I observed:
– the line-up was of a tremendously high quality and diversity
– the cost of the VIP tickets quite reasonable
– a single venue and stage on offer, so no hard choices or the need to move around
– the venue was in the middle of the town, seated, air conditioned and within easy walking distance of side show locations (George’s Majestic Lounge, the Chancellor Hotel and the Public Library)
– still in its early stages, the festival is relatively small, meaning there’s access to every event with no long lines (we managed first and second row seats every day)
– the entirely free pre-festival show at Garner Park was delightful
– the locals were incredibly friendly and helpful.
But, now time to move on.
A late night and early morning with the three of us all packed by the time the cab arrived at 8.45am.
There is a small airport south of Fayetteville, but the place to get planes is North West Arkansas Regional Airport which is forty minutes away, literally in the middle of nowhere. Now, according to our friendly cab driver, Walmart which has its national HQ in nearby Bentonville, insisted that the airport be in Benton County.
The airport is new, easy to get around and small. Our first Delta flight of the day is on our smallest plane yet, a fifty seater.
Into Atlanta on time, but there were delays for our second leg to Jacksonville Florida. Change of departure terminal, a replacement aircraft, and the longest boarding process I can remember. But, finally, we got there. Just as important, our bags followed us.
At Jacksonville, it was pouring as we arrived, but quickly stopped. The Alamo car rental counter was inside and we were in our Passat pretty quickly. The most exciting aspect is that the car has a satellite radio, so Sirius’ Outlaw Country is going to be our friend for the next eight days.
We were at our humble lodgings in Murray Hill for a bag drop off and found a bustling pizza place for a late meal for tired travellers.
Tomorrow will be an exploration of Jacksonville, a place entirely new for all three of us.
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