The Last Lap

Cincinnati, Ohio

Well, it was all down to this.  One last run out, one last warm-up, one last time to lace up your skates, one last time to pack out your costumes, one last time that you have to clean up your make up spot; it was the last and final show of the 2015-2016 tour season. 

434 shows later (443 shows last year)…

79 three-show days later (91 last year)…

298 days later including Mexico…

25 break-workers to our 42 casted skaters later…

13 holdover Mondays in California later…

1 one-show Sunday in two years…

20 months later…

877 shows later…. We were DONE!

I cannot believe it, but we actually made it and did what no one else has ever done nor will they probably ever do.  This next six-week break is going to be heaven all things considered.  Having only a total of four weeks off over the course of the last two years, this break is going to feel like an eternity.  However, I am totally ok with that, but not before we enjoyed our final week together as a tour family. 

As our Company Manager always says in some form, “Enjoy these days because soon, we will not all be the same and our family will change forever.”  And that’s just what we set out to do. 

From a chartered flight to being picked up on the tarmac to rainy baseball games to dinners with the girls and ice cream of course, to late nights to one last hug; we made sure to take it all in, enjoying every last moment.  For most of us, we will see each other in a few weeks, but for some it may be a while. 

We are going to miss you all dearly and cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for us over these last two years.  You will always be welcome with your D34 family and much luck with your future endeavors:

Tila Tilley – Line Captain

Meagan Midkiff – Training Line Captain

Mel Clysdale

Kailee Sawatzky

Becky Bereswill

It’s never goodbye, but instead “See You Down the Road.” 

Just as this journey came to end, we all looked back on the good times and the new ones that lie ahead.  Next season will bring all sorts of new experiences.  Let’s go international D34!  See you all in Japan!

Rock City

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock definitely had the small-town feel from the little coffee shops like Mugs to the street trolleys and brick sidewalks.  Along Main Street there were local places to eat and small boutiques, but when you crossed the bridge that had a colorful light display at night, it was a completely different story.  Everything was commercialized.  Typical chain stores and restaurants were all around.  It’s crazy what a little distance can do.

However, one thing that didn’t change unlike the scenery, in such a short distance was the friendliness of the people.  It was a nice surprise that everyone was always happy and willing to talk.  There was not a single day that we walked into the building without someone greeting us and telling us to have a good day and wishing us luck with our shows.  Definitely, a refreshing way to start the day; sometimes that’s all you need and you’re in a good mood all day.  

Which was something to fall back on when things didn’t exactly go the way they were planned; such as opening night when we lost power for the first time since the show opened.  It was the first time that I was actually involved in an All- Stop in my three years on the road and I must say its one of those situations that you talk about all the time, but really don’t think it will ever happen.  Then, when it does, you almost freeze and really have to think about the exact procedures that you have to follow to ensure not only your safety, but also the safety of others around you. 

Thank goodness that was the main excitement for the week and things just went up from there.  I mean, it was our second-to-last week on tour and we just completed our 850^th ice show!!

However, the fun was not ever yet.  Not only did we cash in for the room upgrade that we won at the auction at the beginning of this tour season, but there was also the final formal of the year.  That still wasn’t all; we had our last BBQ too! 

We even went to a trampoline park and let’s just say that we were there for two hours and thought we were close to being done after only an hour passed.  From the dodge ball games to learning back flips, to seeing how many times we could rotate in the air, we were all like little kids again. 

So we bounced off all of our extra energy before we had our final travel day of the tour, off to Cincinnati, Ohio: the last and final city on this 2015-2016 tour. 

When it Rains; it Pours

Lafayette, Louisiana

Too much rain is always a fear in most areas, but it brings a new meaning when you’re in Louisiana.  Even without the aid of the ocean water and the breaking of levies, water still seems to rise in overflow creek beds as well as in the streets.  It’s almost as if this area just can’t handle more rainfall on top of all the water that is already within the state itself. 

It was mile after mile of bridge that extended far off into the distance.  Clearly, we spent more time traveling over water than we did driving over dry land on our travel day.  I mean it was unique itself.  First the day started off a little rocky when the buses never showed in Duluth to transport us to the Atlanta airport.  Therefore, we all took ubers there.  That was one pricey drive to say the least, about $100 later for each just to find that the busses were never confirmed and booked.  Anyhow, we all made it and that was the important part.  Thank goodness it was a direct flight and then we were off on another two-hour bus ride to our hotel, which just so happened to be located close to the Lafayette Airport; too bad though, we flew into the New Orleans Airport. 

While some chose to head to NOLA on the days off, others took to the calmer route and stuck around the hotel.  Not too far down the road, was Girard Park right off the grounds of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  It was a nice little escape with basketball courts, a swimming pool, volleyball courts, swings and play equipment, as well as a large pond with ducks and baby ducks, turtles, and fish! 

It was just what I needed before the whirlwind of a week started because when it did; we were off to the races.  It was in-show time.  The nerves were evident, the countdown was on, the five-minute warm-up was over and it was time to take the ice, one, two, and three times.  Within a blink of an eye it was all done.  And finally, it was onto finishing the workday and time to relax and enjoy the company of a college friend and some yummy food at Don’s Seafood and Steakhouse.     

It was delicious and catching up was great!  It always brings back so many memories and I am so grateful that I am able to see as many people as I have since I joined tour.  To think that if I was not doing what I am, I may have never seen the people that I have in the last three years. 

As usual we parted ways and hit the road in differing directions; off to Little Rock, Arkansas.