May 10, 2007
Crimson Midwest Tour, Day 10

Crimson Midewest Tour, Day 10

We spent the night in Evanston, IL - home of AWH distribution! For those of you that don't know, AWH is one of the oldest and longstanding skate distributors in the country, they have been around since 1979! Today we have 3 stops and AWH couldn't have been a better 1st stop. Their warehouse is huge and everyone felt like a kid in a candy store. They have tons of old boards, wheels, and accessories from the 80's, it's like going back in time and seeing all of your first boards. Kris Markovich did an AWH tour almost ten years ago with Charlie Wilkins, Chad Knight, and Tim Brauch and was on a mission to find the video 'Stars and Bars' from that trip. After everyone got a couple of things and Tony came through with the 'Stars and Bars' video. We said our good byes and headed to Chicago.

Uprise would be our second stop of the day. The shop is in the middle of the city and the guys there are really cool, plus they have tons of art hanging up in the shop that they switch out regularly. We all walked around and grabbed some lunch before having to take off, Steve Fauser got a couple of his lady friends to meet up with us!!

With our bellies full it was one the road again headed to our final stop of the day - Jerics's skateshop in Planfield, IL. We arrived to about 100 kids inside and out of the shop waiting for for the team. They had a couple tables set up for us and a cooler full of drinks. After an hour or so or signing autographs, taking photos with the kids, and getting to meet all of the guys from the shop we thanked Thomas and packed it up. Everyone was feeling a little restless from the past two days of shop signings with no skating, so I called up Rob @ Krush skatepark which was nearby and got directions. The park is indoor and has an amazing bowl and street course. After a couple hours of fun shredding, everyone felt recharged and we got on our way.

Come back tomorrow for another update from the road!

AWH banner in their warehouse.

Not sure if this was 70's or 80's.

James Atkin raiding the warehouse.

Kris Markovich with the 'Star and Bars' video, track it down!!!

There's a lot of facial hair in this photo - Crimson and AWH crews.

James Atkin, Tyler Cichy, Vince Del Valle, and Richie Belton chilling on the stoop outside of Uprise.

Collector's delight on display in Uprise.

Steve Fauser is always with the ladies!!!!!!

Jeric's was a packed house.

Represent son!

Vince Del Valle signing one for the shop.

Since buying these glasses, I don't think Richie Belton has taken them off...

Anybody care to guess how many tattoos Kris Markovich has?

Thomas - Thanks for having us!

Check out Kris Markovich, James Atkin, Richie Belton, Rick Eusey, Danny Scher, Thomas Bonilla, Vince Del Valle, Steve Fauser, Joey Oregero, Charlie Thomas, Nick Yamasato, and Michael Prince tear through the Midwest!