2013 Tour - Day 4 (Shall We Gather At The River......)

Day 4

Backstage:

The chatter grows as the players assemble. Excitement fills the dinning hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church as stories of their first night in host homes are shared.  A chorus of tales of beautiful homes, delicious food and friendly hosts grows until the room is silenced by one voice, Tom Baldridge, delivering instructions for the day.  As soon as the group is dismissed for the buses the hum of the chorus resumes.

Act 4 Scene 1:

As the buses depart just after 9 am for Loma, CO, morning greetings are shared.  Kurt Allen and Angela Mansfield lead the Gold bus; Derek Klahre and Kerry Taylor lead the Silver bus. 
Mouths begin to water as Bryce Taylor, Shane Johnson and Christian Murray commenced the breakfast report with a description of the banquet of pastries, pancakes and accoutrements they enjoyed with Walt and Peggy at their host home.  Ralph, a retired professional baker, started baking at 4:30 in the morning to create this breakfast fit for kings from scratch.  Nancy Nickerson, Kae Johnson, Helen Horton and Patty Bass boasted they were served breakfast in bed.

The breakfast report soon transitioned into many sharing their experiences from the night before. Robert Williams, Graham Taylor, Dylan Howe and Preston Henry rode in Porsche Style from the church to their host home. (Did you know that Porsche made an SUV?)  Michaela Bass, Kim Horton, Becca Baube, Kerry Taylor, Annabelle Bonnett, Laura Keegan, Lola Renauer, Wendy Keegan, Beth Taylor and Suzy Renauer enjoyed Colorado hospitality at the Wild Bunch River Ranch.  This ranch bragged a guest house (sleeping 10), a pond stocked with fish and Alpacas. Yes Alpacas, 18 Alpacas to be exact.  As the buses neared Highline Lake Park, a chorus of birthday wishes rang out for Matt DeHoff (18) and Preston Henry (22).

Act 4 Scene 2:

Arriving at the park in Loma, CO, shortly after 10:30 am, all enjoyed a welcomed couple hours of playing Frisbee, swimming and relaxing.  As always, everyone was reminded to wear sunscreen and to drink plenty of water.  (Do you recall the saying you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink?... save that thought for later.)  

Riddle of the day: What do you get when you add Tyler Motter, pickle juice and a $5 bet? You get a Tommy Colborn with $5 more in his pocket. To explain, the pickle juice came from the picnic lunch all enjoyed.  Tyler bet Tommy $5 that he could not drink an entire jar of pickle juice.  Tommy proved him wrong while simultaneously entertaining the onlookers.   This scene ends as the buses depart for white water rafting in Fruita, CO.  Where is Fruita, CO?  Well, Fruita is about 15 miles from the Utah State line (save that thought too. It will become relevant shortly).

Act 4 Scene 3:

This scene opens at RimRock Adventures in Fruita, CO.  The majority of our cast prepares to enjoy a level 1 white water trip down the Colorado River. The few remaining visit the gift shop, enjoy some ice cream, take pictures or nap on the bus.   Down on the river the cast is again split between those that chose a guide to take them down the river in a raft (you guessed it, the chaperones) and those brave ones that used oars to steer themselves down the river (almost everyone else).  The current is mild.  The water is cold but refreshing.  It is not long before water battles with squirt guns and buckets erupt. It must be noted that the chaperone raft was a target of attack.  Katherine Williams proclaimed “Stop splashing us! The Diva has spoken!” Once wet, many take to swimming in the Colorado River and pulling others in with them. Fun was had by all. Noteworthy: observed by the rafting troop are a Blue Heron and two bald eagles (more God moments).


Stage Left:

Recall the statement at the park regarding leading a horse to water?  Well Graham Taylor was the horse.  Upon arriving at Rimrock Adventures it was discovered that Graham was severely dehydrated due to 1 Red Bull and a vigorous game of football at the park.  With much coaxing Graham finally agreed to be taken to a nearby Urgent Care facility by Jane Webb and Beth Taylor.  Hours later, after 4 bags of IV fluids, the trio hastily headed out of Fruita to join the rest of the group back in Montrose.  Now recall the statement of where is Fruita, CO located?  Due to Jane Webb’s incredible sense of direction, they made an unexpected visit to Utah before turning around and heading in the correct direction towards Montrose, CO.  All ended well in this scene as they arrived just in time to meet with their hosts for a second nights stay. 

Act 4 Scene 4

Meanwhile, on stage the buses arrive back in Montrose for another delicious cookout at St. Mary’s.  (As you may have gathered, no one is starving on this tour.) The choir and orchestra then dazzled an even larger audience. The Methodist Pastor that hosted Rose Hulcher and Julia Bratburd stood up and commented on how impressed he was with the manners of our youth.  He commended them for making eye contact, engaging in conversation and never once looked at their cell phones.  Deacon Scott then spoke about the message of the Magnificat as Mary saying “yes” to God and that the congregation can, as well, say “yes” to God by supporting the tour group.  The congregation responded through generous donations (the largest amount collect to date on a tour).  Deacon Scott went on to proclaim that this concert was one of the largest Ecumenical events in Montrose as many faiths were represented in the audience.  A tired group then congregated in the dining hall for brief fellowship and refreshments before departing with their hosts for a well deserved nights sleep.    

Click here for photos from Day 4 

2013 Tour - Day 3, Go West Everyone.........

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Day 3

     

      Interlude:

The curtain opens on breakfast pool side. The cast prepares for a long journey.  Each equipped with a fresh water bottle (all have learned this lesson), the troop files onto the bus to head west from Golden to Montrose.

Aboard the Gold Bus, Birthday Girl, Tara Barvir is called to start the morning greeting with Tommy Colborn. It is Tara’s 16^th Birthday. Nate Snapp’s bear hug with KaSandra Murray brings the Silver Bus to roars of laughter.  Additional greetings are lead by Carson Erdle and Matt Fitzsimmons.

The trek across Colorado included many noteworthy sites to include the ski runs of Copper Mountain, a training location for 2 time Olympic Snow board Gold Medal Winner, Shaun White, as well as crossing the Colorado River and the popular ski slopes of Vale.   By far, the highlight of the more than 5 hour drive was crossing the Continental Divide. Cast members kept themselves entertained on the bus playing cards and celebrating the Birthday Boy of the day, Derek Klahre (now 18).

      Act 3

Scene is St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Montrose, Colorado. The congregation celebrates the arrival of the weary travelers with a traditional church outdoor BBQ complete with fresh grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and all the fixings.  Following the magnificent meal

the concert opens with Yorkshire Ballad.  Once again, Emma Thompson’s angelic performance in the Magnifcat captivates the multi-denominational congregation, bringing Deacon Scott to tears. Graham Taylor, Thomas James, Tom Baldridge, Ben and Jon Constantinides, Dylan Howe, Robert William and Dan Krotz brought the audience to their feet with their heartrending rendition of the Prayer of the Children. At one point in the program Deacon Scott requested Omnia Sol.  This brought the entire congregation to tears. Marin Williams rounded out the evening’s performance with her beautiful soprano solo in Ride the Chariot (spiritual).

The Serendipitous moment of the day was the stained glass window positioned directly above their heads throughout the concert depicting St. Cecilia surrounded by musical instruments.  Early in the performance the glow of sunshine streaming through the window gave a heavenly glow to the singers below.

Click here to see pictures from Day 3

2013 Tour - Day 2

Day 2

      Act 2 Scene 1:

The cast awakes this morning to a burst of sunlight and an amazing view of the Purple Mountains Majesty. After a series of brief monologues, including instructions to wear sunscreen and keep hydrated, everyone grabbed a bottle of water and bid a fair Good Morning to Jim and Tumbleweed as they load onto the Gold and Silver buses. 

The Dance begins. A tour favorite and tradition is the Morning Greeting.  Silvia Otieno and Chris Nickerson lead off on the Gold bus as did Judith Tsoi and Robbie Stevenson on the Silver bus. All smiles and hugs throughout the bus started everyone off in a good mood. Additional greetings throughout the day were lead by Annabel Bonnett and Graham Taylor, Noah Zecher-Freeman and Jennifer Paul as well as Emma Thompson and Matthew DeHoff.

Our Joker on the Tour is Tumbleweed. On the Silver Bus morning begins with a Joke of the Day. The comedy continued when Chloe Lenker, Jack Hembrough and Bryce Taylor presented to the Silver bus breakfast report.  Although it will never be published and the survey was not officially controlled, the general consensus is that cream cheese is the preferred spread for dressing bagels.  Also revealed, is that Bryce Taylor, when left to his own devices, can (and will) consume seven bowls of Fruit Loops in one sitting.  The Gold bus breakfast report was delivered by Bridget Miller.  Bridget told us of the bagel she enjoyed and then later took the microphone once again to entertain us with her woes of sleeping on the recliner instead of a bed.  Turns out it was self inflicted punishment that resulting with Bridget sleeping on the floor for the remainder of the night.  Kurt Allen, our Violist from Denver, jumped right in with his captivating tale of the boat that would not stay on top of his car.  Although quite early in the trip for Fork Stories, Kurt’s tale so entertained the group that he was awarded the first Fork of the tour.

Act 2 Scene 2:

After a quick stop at the Hidden Valley visitor center, the plot thickened as driving to an altitude of over 12000 feet into the Rocky Mountain National Park we channeled John Denver as we all truly felt the Rocky Mountain “High”.  Disembarking from the bus we took a short but taxing hike up the path to climb on top of the rock outcrops to view God’s amazing work. The vegetation and wildlife proved magnificent.  Sue Constantinides captured a picture of a White Tailed Ptarmagin (a snow chicken) and Lichen. In addition a Marmot (looks like a ground hog sized mouse), a Gos Hawk, Elk and Deer were seen along the way. 

What is an adventure without overcoming adversity?  Austin Mollard was overcome with altitude sickness on the hike.  With assistance of fellow cast members, Austin was carried to the Gold bus and we quickly drove to the nearest Ranger station (Alpine Visitor Center, elevation 11,796) where he received immediate medical attention before an ambulance transported him to a medical center.  Julia Bratburd was also seriously affect by the altitude and received medical attention as well.  Both Austin and Julia made remarkable recoveries and stunned us all with their resolve to sing at the first concert in Boulder as many of us were affected by the altitude in less severe ways. 

Before departing the Alpine Visitor Center the troop was treated to a curb side picnic while taking in the ever present breathtaking sites.  As we began to descend from the Mountain back towards Boulder a sharing of God moments from the day began.  It was agreed by most that experiencing snow flurries in the middle of June was one of those moments.

Act 2 Scene 3:

The Ball: Excitement grew as both buses arrived at the 1^st United Methodist Church, a landmark in Boulder, established in 1862.  This beautiful church was one of Boulder’s first organized communities of faith.  After a short practice this generous congregation treated us to a delicious Mexican buffet.

With full bellies, and the return of Austin and Julia, the Orchestra and Choir put on an opening performance befitting the joy Mary bestows in John Rutter’s Magnificat.

Click here for  photos from Day 2