Part III

Around 1130, I was thinking about departing for a bit. It was extremely hot (90's), and very sunny. I was parched and it looked like they were breaking for awhile. RS and JM were bundled into an air conditioned van. It looked like RS was munching on cheesecake. BW was wandering outside the van for a bit, and I was able to walk up to him. He looked at me kinda strange, like he recognized me.

"Mr. Whitford," I called out to him. He walked over and stuck out his hand, the other hand carrying a plate of fruit (kiwis, grapes, melon). "It's Brad," he said, still kinda looking at me like he knew me. I explained that we had met in DC at a couple of the location filmings, and I introduced myself. We chatted *very* briefly before he returned to the van.

I called out to him as he was about to get into the van. "Mr. Whitford? Could you please let Mr. Schiff know that the guy from DC who calls him 'Sir' is here, and says hello?" I requested.

Brad grinned (with dimples) and said, "Oh, you bet!" When he opened the van door, he leaned forward to say something to RS in the front seat. RS leaned back a bit to hear him better, and then shook his head slightly! (I can just imagine the disbelief!) Brad got in, and the door was shut.

Okay...in Mr. Schiff's defense...I believe the poor guy probably thinks that I am his own personal albatross! But, when I *do* get to speak with him, he's usually very cordial. Or at the very least, charmingly sarcastic!

Oh...the reason I don't have photos of this particular portion of my odyssey? The 'Photo Gestapo' made their appearance! A couple of women, who identified themselves with 'PR', asked what organization I was with, and how I knew where the filming was going to be.

I told them I was with no one officially; I was just a geek fan who had driven up from DC to catch the filming. After all, the story *was* in the local papers. They 'apologized' and said that they weren't allowing any photos, since they had had so many requests and had to turn them down. One of them stared at the camera around my neck and said snarkily, "But, I assume you've already gotten plenty of shots!"

I just looked at her and said, "Yeah, I did." It was an impasse, and I didn't want to get banned from the area. Finally I said, "I can put my camera away, no problem. Is it okay if I just hang around and watch, seeing as how I've come so far?" I asked. (Trust me! It sounded much less pathetic to my ears when I said it, than it reads in print!)

They 'supposed' so, as long as I didn't get in the way. I thanked them, and made my way back across the street from the area where they were taking the camera equipment off of the jeep set-up.

I figured I'd just hang out with the drivers of some of the trucks, and chat a bit. You never know what you can find out from these guys! (Some of my best location info...;-))

Anyway, I ended up talking with a guy named Jim. He had also been a driver for 'The Mothman Prophecies'. We talked for nearly an hour, as the vans flew up and down the road, between the staging area and Base Camp. The cast van had left, and I assumed it was for lunch. Then, they came back. I was hoping to get closer to the next scene they were shooting, but was told I couldn't go any further down the road. They were going to be filming near a covered bridge down the hollow.

It was at this time that nature decided to rear its ugly head. As a man, I know I can 'go anywhere', but I choose not to do so in an area running rampant with people! So, I decided to head the couple miles back into Volant to the local facilities, and to grab a bottle of water.

I thanked Jim for his company and his stories. Just as I was turning around to head back to my truck, Jim asked, "You gonna watch them film at the train station on Saturday?" I told him I didn't know about it, and he gave me directions! (Bridgeville, PA photos to come.)

I thanked him again, and started back down the dusty road to my truck. Along the side of the road, I noticed a sheaf of folded up papers. I calmly picked it up and carried it to my truck...litter patrol, don't you know! ;-)

Anyway, when I get the truck started (and the A/C going!), I opened up the papers. It was on Compu_Weather letterhead. It was a weather forecast for various PA locations, from 15 - 28 August! It was sent to The West Wing! As I scanned it further, it gave a complete forecast, including cloud cover; chance of precipitation; duration of precipitation; intensity of precipitation; temperatures; and wind speed.

I realized I had happened upon the original shooting schedule!! The locations were for Volant, PA on 22 - 25 Aug; Bridgeville, PA on 26 Aug; Volant, PA on 27 Aug; Ruffcreek, PA (Waynesburg) on 27 Aug; Volant, PA on 27 Aug; Harmorville, PA (not sure where the filming was for this one) and Volant, PA on 28 Aug.

Needless to say, I'd struck gold! I headed back into the village of Volant to renew my physical requirements...and to figure out a back way to the covered bridge they were filming at after lunch!

Anyway, that's it for now. I'll be putting more of my odyssey and the ensuing pics up in the next day or so. Stay tuned!

Traveler

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Part VIII

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