Story by Nate "Jebus" Morris

Supposedly Day 1 of the Globe Puzzle Tour quietly took place somewhere down in San Diego and consisted of a couple handfuls of kids just looking for some free posters. Day 2 was a different story. Long before the Red Bull bus pulled up, swarms of skaters descended upon the parking lot and back alley of Pharmacy Boardshop in Lancaster.

Even with free hotdogs on the barbeque, and the lovely Red Bull ladies wandering about, the crowd, consisting of young and old, were restless and impatient in the high desert heat. Then, the moment of truth. The bus arrives attempting to navigate the street through a sea of children risking their lives for a glimpse of their favorite pro skaters, while Afroman's "Palmdale" is noticeably playing through the open windows, almost as a sign of respect to the Antelope Valley. The honored guests are ushered inside, narrowly escaping the flood of fans in pursuit of autographs, handshakes and pictures. Once safely seated at the table with markers in hand, the signing frenzy begins. Greg Lutzka, Jake Duncombe, Matt Mumford, Paul Machnau, Mark Appleyard, Rodney Mullen, and Chris Haslam, along with a few of the Globe team's Ams, battle hand cramps for hours as they are asked to sign everything from skateboards and shoes, to body parts and sleeping babies. The seemingly infinite line of hungry skateboarders eventually dwindle's down as the setting sun follows suit over the desert horizon. Once enough bodies were cleared from the space, the five-foot mini ramp was put to use by some Pharmacy locals and team riders. What started as an impromptu skate session, turned into a private demo of sorts, as Duncombe, Appleyard, and Lutzka joined in and immediately began tearing the ramp apart with their signature style of effortless tricks. Louie Lopez, Ryan Decenzo and Luan De Oliveira were putting in their two cents on the ramp as well, and a special appearance from Chet Thomas definitely got the intimate crowd stoked. When all was said and done and the bus was pulling away at the end of the night, all that was left, aside from the stragglers, was the trash and wreckage of hundreds of satisfied customers, representing a very successful event.

Much thanks to the Globe team for their gracious visit to our desert scene, to all the friends and fans that came out to show their overwhelming support, and to the Lancaster Marketplace for not trippin' (too hard) on the chaos that ensued. Stay tuned for the next monumental skate event at a Pharmacy near you.

Duncombe grippin one up

Some Appleyard artwork

Haslam and Nate

Gilliam BBQing

Turns out Appleyard will sign anything and everything

Afterparty action at Jeremy's house