Bismarck Letter
Fun time again today - although quite different from yesterday. Rather
relaxing, with a longer day of driving, plus we lost one hour in the
process.
Our fantastic hosts dropped off the kids in this really cute downtown
neighborhood of Rapid City where First Presbyterian Church is located.
It's really a very nice community, and reminds me of Madison's "feel".
After our fond goodbyes, onto the bus and away from the rainy weather
that was coming. We're glad we had time yesterday to see Mt. Rushmore!
Movies helped pass the miles and the scenery which was not terribly
interesting because of the lack of variety, but certainly had a prairie
feel - off the interstate and cutting up a 2 lane state highway from I90
to I94. On the map, AAA places a rest stop, but perhaps that was just
wishful thinking. So after not locating it on the road, we pulled off
to a recreational area - it is great to have choir families helping us
along the way: yesterday the WALLS provided Wall Drug and today the
SCHNELLES provided us with the opportunity to hang out at the Schnell
Recreational Area. Off the beaten path 3 miles, up and down a valley
gravel road, we arrived at this really pleasant area that had picnic
tables, trash cans and a one-holer (very clean and not stinky!). Even
had entertainment in the form of trail horses in pens to feed apple
cores and carrots. And to top it all off, we had souvenirs that we
found down the road a few miles: ticks!! Yippee! No charge, either!
If you want to see the tick mutilated bodies, just check out the steps
on the bus where my fingernails took care of them.
We arrived at Bismarck's First United Methodist Church early, but Peter
greeted us and welcomed the kids into their great youth center complete
with foosball and WII. No fun there, man!
After unwinding, rehearsal in the sanctuary, a nice Papa John's pizza
dinner, and then got dressed and ready for the performance with some
time to spare and hanging out with the youth group from First United
Methodist. These kids from the church were wonderfully welcoming and
such friendly people! Everyone was in the Sanctuary, ready and waiting
for WCC to perform when the tornado sirens went off and we all waited
out the tornado warning for the next half hour in the church basement.
Once that time passed, we headed upstairs for our smaller than expected
audience, but they were terrific and so attentive! I suspect there will
be a few e-mails after we depart Bismarck.....
A beautiful rainbow escorted all of us to our night's locations.
Don't forget to check our web site: http://www.wisconsinchildrenschoir.org for the latest photos!
Til next time,
Sue
