Harbor Town

Baltimore, MD

Back for Round 2 in this city.  Although there are a lot of differences coming into this city for the second time, there are a lot of similarities as well.  Sometimes there are things that just stick with you, like layouts of the buildings or streets or even just the general surroundings.  Having already performed in Baltimore and just last year, most things were still fresh so that made navigating in the city quite easy.

Having a friend in the area always makes it nice because you get to see more of the city, than just the typical tourist attractions.  It is all about the complete experience.  Also, the second time around, I was able to see a few more places than what I did last year and do more exploring.

Aside from getting out around town, it was time to get ready for our Halloween celebration.

Even though it was a busy week and at least two additional shows were added to the schedule, we still found time to celebrate All Hallows' Eve!!

This holiday came just in time and gave everyone a break away from work.  Everyone could just let loose and breath and being in good spirits helped the night.

Since everyone is so busy at work, it was a well-needed escape from it where everyone could be themselves and just enjoy the night.

We all definitely had our fair share of laughs and giggle-fests, but it was all in good-fun.

The first holiday on the road this season was complete…looking forward to the ones to come.

See you in Nassau County!

Virginia Again

Fairfax, VA

Although having been here years and years ago to train for skating, there is something about coming back after all this time that makes everything seem like it was just yesterday.  All the memories come pouring back and seem so real and vivid.  Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to relive those moments.

However, we are here in the present and are back in Virginia for the third time already this tour season; close to the nation's capital this time though.  While some chose to venture into Washington D.C. I took the more relaxed route and decided to catch up on sleep during our day off and take full advantage of some movie watching.

Preparing for another crazy, busy week; a day of relaxation was in need.

As our work week approached we knew we were going to have our hands full.

We were back on tank ice at George Mason University and it was our first time on man-made ice in a facility since rehearsals in Ellenton, FL.  It was definitely an adjustment and made for some very tight quarters not only on the ice, but also backstage as well.

We were definitely getting cozy in the make-up rooms as we were literally on top of each other getting ready.  At the same time though, we were all in the same room and with three-three show days in a row (9-pack), well that made for some pretty entertaining laughing sessions.

With space limited all around, it was fitting to warm-up outside and enjoy the rays of sun on the beautiful college campus of GMU!

In closing of this week, it was time to celebrate the completion of our second 9-pack!

Heading into another busy week with more additional shows, we are off to Raven and Oriel country.

 

The Sweetest Place in the World

Hershey, PA

Back on home soil!  So happy to be back in Pennsylvania!  The leaves are changing colors and look beautiful.  The air is filled with the smell of fall and bonfires around and to top it all off, there is a tiny pond in front of the hotel with so many ducks!  Clearly, feeding the ducks was one of the highlights this week! Haha good times.

Sometimes, more often than not, its all about the small things like the leaves crunching under your feet, or carving pumpkins in the lobby of the hotel, or seeing family and friends and surprise visits!

While we are soaking in all the things that make us smile, we couldn't help but notice the smell of chocolate in the air.  

Just up the road is Hershey Park and the World of Chocolate where Hershey's Kisses, KitKats, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey's chocolate bars, York Peppermint Patties, and so many more are made and manufactured! 

Ah…it truly is the World of Chocolate!! 

Having so many sweets at our fingertips and within easy access, it is no wonder that there is a gym that opens their doors to the hotel guests allowing us to have full access to the classes, weight machines, a pool, and all of the fitness equipment.  It was so nice to get a workout in at a real gym instead of a smaller hotel gym that we normally have access to.  

Back to reality though, it was time to get down to business and conquer the first early morning PR (public relations event) of this tour season and the earliest show ever at...9:30 AM!! 

After all the work was done, it was time to experience Sheetz one more time!! 

It is not the fanciest, it does not require a reservation, but it is just what I needed!! Sheetz is definitely a PA thing and it was a college thing for me.  So many trips were made to this gas station for late night snacks or even dinner! 

I was in heaven and just in time to leave on a good note and head to the next city.   

Show Buzz #2

D34!

Another show added and another and another.  That is basically the story each week.  If our schedule wasn’t busy enough, it just keeps picking up. 

Even the smaller cities are just as busy.  Things never slow down.  Somehow though, we are still trying to find time to enjoy some time on the road. 

We were also in need of a girl’s day and lets just say that chocolate-covered strawberries, popcorn, lollipops, and a roomful of girls watching “Blades of Glory” may be the funniest thing ever.

And if that wasn’t enough of a laugh then seeing a skater going for a swim in the lake behind the building after the soccer ball definitely would catch your attention.  However, the crew out-smarted the skaters and were able to rescue the ball again, but this time without getting wet. 

After everything and everyone got out of the water and dried off, it was time to get on the move.  Bring on the country!!

It was time to head to the Rascal Flatt’s concert at the Grand Ole Opry!! The country theme seemed to encompass the whole week, even the Happy Helper Auction!

We were able to raise over $15,000!!

With such an Olympic performance at the auction it was only fitting to have the “Olympic Park Picture Challenge” in Atlanta by our Performance Director in between shows of our first 9-pack of the season. 

Then, unfortunately we hit the “struggle bus” when the cast and crew were unable to check in for our flight from Atlanta to Hershey and topping it all off, 38 bags got left behind.  In the end though, everyone made the flight and the bags were returned. 

After that, we all needed a pick-me-up and that came later on in the week, but before the fun could happen, it was time to take to the ice for the earliest show ever at 9:30 AM! 

Conquering that early show, we were off to Hershey Park for some amusement park fun!

Sticking with the busy schedule and small amounts of time to sleep and sight see, we are still trying to make the most of it. 

Heading back to Virginia for the third time already this year and only a short distance away from our nation’s capital we were at the famous George Mason University campus. 

Keeping our spirits high, we are looking to hit our 100^th show within the next few weeks!

See you around the corner!  

Places to see: 

Richmond - Trail and canal running, Evacuation Bridge from the War, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), girls movie night "Blades of Glory", Disney 365 commercial filming with Rowan from "Girl Meets World" 

  

Hampton - luxury living in the Embassy Suites hotel, shops and restaurants close to hotel, whipped cream at company meal! outside warm up by the water (the soccer ball and a skater went for a swim) 

Nashville - downtown Nashville, live bands, loud music, boot stores, Grand Ole Opry, Opry hotel, Rascal Flatts concert, Happy Helper Auction, Scott Hamilton came to a show!  

Atlanta - Centennial Olympic Park, CNN building, (13-shows, 9-pack) 

Hershey – World of Chocolate, Hershey Park, 9:30 AM Show!

Fairfax – Washington D.C., (9-pack), visit from the Feld’s, George Mason University campus

Congratulations to: 

Chris and Merissa on your new engagement 

Oh My Lanta…Georgia Peaches!

Atlanta, Georgia

So so hot!  It feels like we are still living in summer time.  I know we are going to be wishing it was this warm in a few months when there is snow on the ground, but more and more 80 degree days with humidity; feels like we are back in Florida at rehearsals all over again.  However, this time we are without our grille and picnic table and basketball hoop…oh the memories.  

That's ok though because there wasn’t much time off in this city to enjoy those things with an abundance of shows filling the arena to the tippy-top of the bowl each time.  The roars of the crowd were what kept us all going show after show.  It may have been busy and a lot of sleep may have been lost, but we all made it through and had a successful 9-pack of shows completing the first string of 13 shows in a row! 

Aside from seeing the same buildings everyday on the walk to venue and basically seeing the hotel and arena, there was a small amount of time to get out see the city.  

Of course there was shopping to be done, but it was more realistic to see the CNN building and Centennial Olympic Park being that they were either right across the street from the venue or just a short distance away.  

Additionally, being challenged to be the first group after a show to get to Olympic Park and take a picture for rewards from our Production Director was enticing as well just so that we could get out and see the light of day :) It is amazing what just seeing the sunshine can do for a person.  Ah, the little things. 

Sometimes we all just need to take a step back and realize what we are doing and how far we have come.  We all surprise ourselves every now and then.  

Take it all in now because before you know it we will be onto the next city and the days just keep passing by.  

See you in Chocolate Town!

Music City

Nashville, TN

It almost feels like home.  Cowboy boots, big belt buckles, and trucks!! Lots of trucks!! There is country music playing around every street corner and in every restaurant around!  I could really get used to this.

Each place is louder than the next.  There are constant battles going on each trying to out-do the other.

If that wasn't enough country for you, then there were numerous boot stores to explore every taste desirable.

Aside from the flashing lights and loud bands, you could escape to a place a little further away; the Grand Ole Opry and hotel.

The Opry is such an iconic place that has so much history wrapped up into it that just being in the building is an experience within itself.  It has a much more intimate atmosphere that what it is always portrayed to be on television with a down-to-earth feel to it.  All of the singers and songwriters were so pleasant and grateful to be there performing on such an important stage that it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.  Topping it all off, Rascal Flatts was the headlining band for the night.  Not bad for the first time seeing them in concert and it being at the Grand Ole Opry!  

A little more of an adventure into Opryland and we found that the hotel was absolutely gorgeous with a lazy river intertwining around trees and plants and park benches as the guest's balconies had a table and chairs to look out over this blissful picture.  There were suspended walkways above as well, intermingled with the garden as the sounds of cascading waterfalls filled the background. This was like a special peaceful retreat that no one knows about that you can escape to anytime you needed to.

Also, getting away and seeing a friendly face in a strange place on the road always helps too.  It always makes for a nice change of pace and reconnecting always brings back the good memories.

Remaining positive about the hopeful outcome, the Happy Helper Auction was actually able to happen.  It was a bit of a rush to pull things together, but it was a success and we were able to raise over $15,000!! Thank you to everyone involved and that participated!!

 Saying goodbye to the relaxed way of life and hanging up the cowboy boots for a little while, it was time to get back on the road again. 

A Few Miles Up the Road

Hampton, VA

Well, that was a quick travel day, but no one was skipping a beat and we were back to work. 

It was a recovery week for some of us since it is the beginning of the cold season now.  Even though we may have been slightly under the weather to start, by the end of the week, we were all starting to feel better just in time to take in a few sights across the street at the shopping center. 

Everything you could possibly want seemed to be at our fingertips.  There were plenty of places to eat and shop and the distance between the building and hotel was even short!

We were living the life, with large rooms that had separate living room spaces.  We even had the small amenities like fridges and microwaves even made all the difference. 

With such a short walk to the building it was no wonder that we would spend our free time out in the sun around lake.  We were even able to warm-up for shows out there since it was such a nice secluded area. 

Being so close to the water though, it was only a matter of time before the soccer ball escaped.  However, fear not, the ball was rescued and only one skater went for a swim; the crew out smarted us and used a pool cleaner to fetch out the other ball that went for a swim. 

Ah…good times during those busy three-show days.

Until the next city… :)