I should, perhaps, preface the story of my trip to Wilmington, with how I came to decide to make the trip, and when.

I originally tried to arrange a visit to the set of ‘One Tree Hill’ during the latter half of filming for Season 1. I managed to make contact with someone who worked in the ‘One Tree Hill’ offices at Screen Gem Studios. This person, in turn, talked to Paul himself, telling him what I would like to do, and I was told due to the hectic filming schedule they had at the time and various other factors, a set visit wouldn’t be possible. I understood completely, so that put an end to that idea. It wasn’t til much later that I discovered Screen Gem Studios offered a studio tour of the sets, so I took hold of that idea and went with it. Once OTH was renewed for a second season, I decided to make the trip down there in the Fall of 2004 by driving the distance from where I live in Kentucky, to Wilmington. But when? My mom, who ended up being my traveling companion, was going to England from the middle of Sept of 2004 to the middle of Oct. Would she be willing to travel down with me so soon after returning? Time would tell. So I decided on the last full week of October. And while my Mom had only been back home a week from her trip to England, she did say she’d come with me. It was just happy coincidence that the Charity Football game was going to happen the Saturday after I arrived in Wilmington. How’s that for luck? So my dilemma became, should I go on the studio tour or go to the football game? Which do you think I chose? :) The report of my trip to Wilmington and what transpired there has been very long in coming, but I hope it will have been worth the wait.

Oct. 21-22 Travel Days:

First day of travel, Thursday, October 21st. My mom was traveling with me, and she had to work that morning, so we left Radcliff between 1 and 2p.m. My goal was to get us down to Asheville,N.C. that day, even if it was after dark. We made it through Knoxville and down through the mountains. It's like driving down a dark corridor. Even with headlights and cars in front and behind you, it's pretty damn scary. I definitely recommend not driving down through the mountains after dark. I had planned to stop at a Days Inn in Candler, N.C. which was just north of Asheville. Upon seeing that there was only the hotel and 4 gas stations my mom said let’s drive further down and find one that has a restaurant nearby. We did and stopped at a Super8, got something to eat, and got a good nights sleep.

Morning of Oct. 22nd, early breakfast and we hit the road by 9a.m. Rush hour traffic and we had a ways to go before actually arriving in Wilmington. First Charlotte, then the long, boring driving down the future I-74. We detoured off 74 just for a change of scenery at Charbourn through to Whiteville then back on 74 again. We arrived in Wilmington somewhere between 4 and 4:30. Made my way down Third Street to Market Street and started looking for the hotel. We were staying at the Best Western Carolinian on Market. It was fairly easy to find. After turning left onto 3rd Street you turn right on to Market, and then drive all the way down to 29th Street. Just after is the hotel. (note here: Screen Gem Studios is on 23rd St.) Arrived at the hotel, checked in and went to our room. Really nice room, big enough to have a party in. We got our stuff in, and then went out for something to eat. At the restaurant, I called Katie to let her know we we had arrived. Katie had a friend coming from out of town via the airport in Jacksonville, and had to go pick her up.(it wasn't until the following Sunday that I received her voicemail message regarding this, it was very strange)

She did ask if I'd like to join her in going to the airport, but I had to decline. But we made arrangements for the following morning to go the football game. My mom and I returned to the hotel, relaxed from the long drive that day, and finally went to sleep.

What happened on Saturday, October 23rd, when I got to Ashley High School for the football game? :) Many of you remember what happened at the end of my day there, but not what transpired before I got to meet up with Paul, the next part of my report will give you my account of what happened before I finally got my chance.