Leaving Cleveland and the Blossom Festival we head for the Windy City of Chicago. We had to drive into the city early in the day to avoid traffic, so we were given time to visit some of the sites of Chicago. We chose to go to the Natural History Museum. And guess who we saw there??
Yep.... there he is! The Dino from Night at the Museum. That was probably the most exciting thing there. Dad really wanted to see the dioramas like in the movie.... and we couldn't find them... so we went and asked the lady at the help desk and she looked at us like we were from mars. She said that they might have some in the storage basement... but she didn't know what they were of, and that we would have to get permission from the director of the museum to even go down there. She really didn't think they had had one on display for decades. mmm..... don't think they filmed that part here.
The concert was pretty cool. The cicadas didn't end up being such a big deal like they thought it was going to be.... but we did see a few. The funnest part was Brent's interaction with the audience and watching their faces. He was laking to a couple behind him and they had a nice little chat, they were Catholic. They said they didn't believe like us, but they sure liked the choir. Dad told them that they would really like the encore. They were blown away with the concert, but when the Archbishop Francis Cardinal George appeared on stage to conduct us they were ecstatic. (The choir can really reach out and touch people of all religions and backgrounds)
On to Cincinnati. This is going to be one of our favorite stops because the Beazers are coming up to meet us and spend the night. We got to spend some time with them and go to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. They got to eat some Cincinnati chili while I was practicing and then off to the Riverbend for the Concert. It was really fun for Dad 'cuz he got to sit with them during the concert. My favorite part is when Lydia came up on stage with Grandpa and was standing in the wings during intermission saying hello to me!!! It made my day.
After Cincinnati was Nashville - I got to see the ORIGINAL Grand Ol' Opry and watch my first concert on tour from the audience. I had developed a cough and wanted to not only not cough on stage but also save my voice for the next day in Memphis where my cousin Anita was. It was the first time the choir was wearing the new dresses on tour and I was watching from the audience.
Next came Memphis, with Anita, Elvis and lots of things that we didn't participate in. Hold on.... I will explain.
Anita was on the ticket committee for her stake and so she was deeply involved in our coming. In fact, as soon as we got there, she picked us up and took us to a regional fireside that Lloyd Newell was talking at. And she gave the closing prayer. Then we went to her home and talked with her and her husband for a while. It was fun to get caught up with her and her 
family. The next day was ELVIS day. We went to his house and took the grand tour and listened to all the stories and saw all the displays. Truely... I was impressed. He really did a lot with his money and took care of his mom and others whom he loved. We spent the rest of the day driving Memphis and doing lunch. I really loved spending some time with her and feeling of her beautiful spirit. The choir was doing some extra stuff that we missed. One of them was singing for a 10 year old member who was there getting so
me cancer treatment. Someone in the choir new someone who knew her and knew she and her family wanted to go to the concert, but she couldn't because her body was do weak. So they ask a few to meet her in the hotel lobby and sing a few songs for her. Well I guess it ended up being over 1/2 of the choir. they filled the mezzanines and lobby.
The concert that night was another first. It was the first concert I left - ever - in the middle of. I started coughing and it was not a happy thing. So I left at intermission. I went to the dressing room (The men's hockey team changing room) I had hung my street clothes on one of the shower heads in the shower - there wasn't a lot of places to hang dresses in a hockey locker room.!! Low and behold the shower leaked!!! and my clothes were wet. So this evening got even more memorable. With no blow driers (in a locker room???) I just put on wet clothes and watched my second concert from the balcony.
Even though the last 2 concerts were weird. The trip was a great experience, lots of great concerts and people to meet and see. And Dad got to see CORBIN and LYDIA - oh yeah, Brooke and Q , too!!!
So there you have it Choir Tour 2007.
Love and hugs.
Mom and Dad
