Lawrenceville, New Jersey
July 2007

Wherein Lies The Master

Hosted by Fritz the Gnome

Next: Rainforest Retreat

Providence, Rhode Island - Swan Point Cemetery. The Bean, Del, Dave, Fritz, Bud and Tiki Jr. had come here on a quest. They were here to visit the grave site of H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft had a tombstone (the family stone) and a small monument erected by fans.

Fritz's Human friends had been here once before, ten years ago, but Fritz wanted to check it out too.

It was pretty cool. While the Humans looked around, Fritz and Bud played a little game of Hopyard*. Tiki Jr. laughed at their sport.

* Hopyard is a Gnomish game where players try to leap over tall tombstones in Human graveyards.

Howard Phillips Lovecraft was a horror writer who lived in the early years of the 20th century. His work has influenced many writers, artists, film-makers and musicians. For those who do not already know, Dave, Del and the Bean's Celtic band is called Browne Jenkyn after a character from a Lovecraft story. We strongly urge you to read some of his work.

When they were done at the cemetery, they ate at a French restaurant in Providence called Rue De L'Espoir. (Try the sesame chicken and the duck leg!) Then it was back to New Jersey. And of course they travelled home on the world famous New Jersey Turnpike.

But New Jersey is more than just highways and exits. There's tons of great weird stuff here. Grovers Mill, New Jersey was featured in the original 1938 live radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' 'The War of the Worlds'. There is a monument placed there to mark the Martian landing site. Ask your parents or go to Wikipedia.

One of the coolest things about New Jersey is the Pine Barrens. This region is home to the infamous Jersey Devil. Fritz took his new friends there and told them the story of New Jersey's official Demon. Bud and Tiki Jr. were kind of scared, but intrigued as well. They didn't linger too long because the Pine Barrens is no place to be at night, so they went back to Fritz's friends' house.

The next morning, Fritz, Bud and Tiki Jr. woke up a little late. They were still tired from their adventures. It was time for the Puna Gnome and his friend to move on. They were all sad, but glad that they had met and experienced so much together. Fritz walked them out and invited them to come back whenever they wanted to. They all said 'goodbye' and Bud and Tiki Jr. were off.

(Photos: Del, Bean & Fritz/ Dialogue: Del)

When I began this adventure I scoured the internet looking for places & people for Bud to visit. I came across Fritz's website and thought "Oh man this has already been done." That was before the folks participating had helped me to set the tone of Bud's adventures.

The thing that intrigued me about Fritz was the depth at which Del and friends would create elaborate stories and adventures for him. Not something I aspire to with Bud but none the less a tribute to gnomes and story telling. Do yourself a favor and check out his adventures.

Thank you Del, Fritz & friends for being a part of Bud's adventure! New Jersey wierdness indeed!