We're going to try it again this year- I have tried the last couple of years to blog while I am on the road, but it never seemed to work out. I think I tried to go too far with it...I'm gonig to relax this year, take it easy and have fun. You probably won't see a post every day...just when something noteworthy (to me anyway...) happens. So...off we go!
I started the year with a trip down to the Motivational Productions offices on July 27th, where I picked up my van, my *new* Garmin Nuvi 255 GPS (whoo hoo!)and took off for home. I took the next 3 days and made my back to IL via Oklahoma and Missouri.
After an unexpected couple of weeks with nothing to do (due to a last-minute school re-scheduling), my tour began Monday, August 16th. The year started with opening day activities at Perry Elementary School in Carpentersville, IL where we presented (last year's) show "Friends". Now, you might be saying, "wait a minute Eric, I thought you did these alone?" Well, I normally do...but this time, since things got started early, and Sarah (my 12-year old daughter) didn't start school for another week, she decided to come with me for my first couple of shows. Another treat at Perry was that our church's new Pastor, Randy Stateler got to come and see what I do. He could really tell that I can't stand my job. :-)
After that, my next show was in Manly, IA. So, Sarah and I packed up the van and off we went. Did you know that Iowa has bugs? Lots of bugs. BIG bugs. I now have a lot of them stuck to my windshield and the front of the van as a fairly permanent reminder of our time in Iowa. Yuck. Along the way, we stopped at the 'Iowa 80' truck stop, which is billed as the World's Largest Truck Stop. At 225+ acres, I am inclined to believe them. :-)
We stayed at the Super 8 in Mason City IA, which is a nice facility, with a nice pool and nice management. Due to the hour we got on the road, and our stops we didn't get it to Mason City until almost 9:50pm. The pool was supposed to close at 10pm, but a nice call to the hotel resulted in us having until 10:20pm to swim! Sarah was happy.
NEXT TIME...Central Springs HS, and The Tour starts in earnest!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Here, There and Everywhere...in Central IL
After leaving St. Louis, I headed back into IL and North on I-55 for Springfield, where I am staying for the rest of the week. I arrived around dinnertime at the Baymont Inn on Toronto Rd., where I turned around and found...a Cracker Barrel Restaurant staring me in the face! All of the sudden, I was hungry...and proceeded to have the some of the best baked chicken I have ever had.
Tuesday I had nothing scheduled, and took the time to just be lazy. I actually hung out in the room most of the day- it was nice to just not do much!
Wednesday it was back in the saddle, with a nice, relaxed day- and my first stop was Waverly High School in Waverly IL. This is a small town with a population of around 1000- my audience at the HS was 118 as I made a presentation of "The Truth of Lies". I then headed back to the hotel for a change of clothes and lunch before heading North and West to Pleasant Plains Middle School. This was a nice drive out into the country (as most of the schools I will be visiting the rest of the week). PPMS is a little bigger with 430 students, but had a great group of 7th graders helping setup, and had some of the girls B-ball team helping takedown. Both of these showings were sponsored by Pepsi. Thanks Pepsi! Afterwords, I went back and enjoyed a quick dinner, some pool time and TV before hitting the sheets.
On Thursday, I headed for Blue Mound IL, pop. 1200 where I was presenting at Meridian Middle School. Blue Mound is about 45 Minutes W/SE of Springfield, and 30 minutes S/SW of Decatur. This school has 255 students, and I had a great group of guys helping me unload and setup, including 2 'veterans' from last year! But the best was yet to come...
Turns out Meridian Middle School has a State Champion! Before we started the assembly, Principal Andy Pygott took a moment to surprise Brock Snarski, who last year won 1st place in state for 7th grade 800 & 1600 meter events. They presented him with a banner that was hung in the gym, as well as road signs to be place at the town limits announcing his accomplishments. It was nest to be a witness to this, and to meet a great young man!
After a great assembly, I asked about restaurants in town and was directed to Linda's Diner, where I had the best Italian Beef I've had in awhile. It was followed up by an Apple Crisp a la mode, upon which I waddled back to the van and headed back to Springfield. All in all, a great day. Tomorrow, I'll finish up with shows in Pleasant Plains again (this time at the High School) and in Pawnee. Then, back home!
Tuesday I had nothing scheduled, and took the time to just be lazy. I actually hung out in the room most of the day- it was nice to just not do much!
Wednesday it was back in the saddle, with a nice, relaxed day- and my first stop was Waverly High School in Waverly IL. This is a small town with a population of around 1000- my audience at the HS was 118 as I made a presentation of "The Truth of Lies". I then headed back to the hotel for a change of clothes and lunch before heading North and West to Pleasant Plains Middle School. This was a nice drive out into the country (as most of the schools I will be visiting the rest of the week). PPMS is a little bigger with 430 students, but had a great group of 7th graders helping setup, and had some of the girls B-ball team helping takedown. Both of these showings were sponsored by Pepsi. Thanks Pepsi! Afterwords, I went back and enjoyed a quick dinner, some pool time and TV before hitting the sheets.
On Thursday, I headed for Blue Mound IL, pop. 1200 where I was presenting at Meridian Middle School. Blue Mound is about 45 Minutes W/SE of Springfield, and 30 minutes S/SW of Decatur. This school has 255 students, and I had a great group of guys helping me unload and setup, including 2 'veterans' from last year! But the best was yet to come...
Turns out Meridian Middle School has a State Champion! Before we started the assembly, Principal Andy Pygott took a moment to surprise Brock Snarski, who last year won 1st place in state for 7th grade 800 & 1600 meter events. They presented him with a banner that was hung in the gym, as well as road signs to be place at the town limits announcing his accomplishments. It was nest to be a witness to this, and to meet a great young man!
After a great assembly, I asked about restaurants in town and was directed to Linda's Diner, where I had the best Italian Beef I've had in awhile. It was followed up by an Apple Crisp a la mode, upon which I waddled back to the van and headed back to Springfield. All in all, a great day. Tomorrow, I'll finish up with shows in Pleasant Plains again (this time at the High School) and in Pawnee. Then, back home!
Monday, September 14, 2009
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