Day 8 - Toronto, Ontario - Day OFF (April 29th)

Today after driving for a few hours, we took a well-deserved day off.

We spent from around 1:00pm to 6:00pm in Toronto. I spent some time with my sister-in-law and then mostly sat in coffee shops emailing, blogging, ichatting, getting the news via the internet and drinking tea – YUM. The guys went to the Hockey hall of fame and took a LONG walk to a music store (Megan and I stopped at waited for them at a starbucks!)

For supper we returned to the road and stopped at a Kelsey’s for supper.

All in all the day was good and brought lots of good memories.

I have led many canoe trips in my life, and I often found that at around day 7 things start getting into a real routine. There is a calming sense that this is how we are going to live for awhile and it settles the group. There is a shared routine that is uniquely ours. This feeling is okay, or better yet, it is really good. The group starts to feel comfortable together and each day brings situations and experiences that are both new and not new. Even though we are in a new location every day, there are expected reactions and relations, and this brings opportunities for deeper and more meaningful interactions.

This is where we are on the tour right now. We are starting to really enjoy each other and recognize each other’s gifts. We are also trying to find ways to strengthen the group and the service that we are providing to those whom we meet.

During my morning prayer today, I was struck by the following:

So that they should set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep his commandments
--Psalm 78:7

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
--James 1:5-8

Highlights:
1 - Tea, Tea and more tea!
2 – Johnny and Justin and their new episodes of “The Oat Show.”
3 – Eating out for supper!
4 – Meeting Brad’s mom! (She really is shorter than Brad!)

Day 8 Quotes:
You have a bendy straw? (Eric says to Johnny while he hasn’t noticed that he has a bendy straw upside down in his own drink)

Lady sitting on curb: Did you just try to kick that bird?
Johnny: YUP

Bell Canada Guy: How’d you like to win $5000.
Eric: If it was 6 I’d go for it.
Johnny: Not from you.

This escalator is temporarily stairs – sorry for the convenience – Eric (Quoting Mitch)

Day 7 - Sauble Beach

An average driving day today - 6 hours.
We left around 9:30am and then mostly drove the whole day. Karen drove today.
We stopped for Brad, who had a phone job interview at 11:15 – YEAH Brad!
While Brad was interviewed, we all played Frisbee (While Megan talked to “B” on the phone)

We took a second break at a Starbucks that we stumbled upon in a small town? Yeah! Tea with Soy milk, good coffee and hot chocolate!

We arrived in Sauble Beach at approximately 4:15ish.

We had a great supper – Lasagna, Cesar Salad and Garlic Bread. Then Fruit and Cookies for desert.

For the Concert in the evening there was a good turnout. There were probably 70ish people there! 80-90 % youth.

The reception was great – although there were some old timers who left at the beginning who were not happy with the loudness of the music. But the youth really seemed to like it!

Highlights:
1 – Hearing about pranks that happen dorm at Providence!
2 – Playing Frisbee by the side of the road
3 – Stopping at Starbucks for a good cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
4 – Finally making it back to civilization. (We are finally feeling like there are more people and bigger cities around!

Quotes of the day:
My body is hot, but my hands are cold - Karen
(Responding to Karen) Yeah, my body is HOT – Brad

Hey Eric, why you so crazy? – Johnny
Aaaiihheeeeggggggggggggggggah – Johnny (8:27am)
It hurts… - Johnny

That’s it for now…

Day 6 – Espanola, ON

Today was a two-gig day – Very tiring…

We began in Richards Landing at the B & B and followed the Paster to his church in Sault Sainte Marie. (The Paster was the same person who hosted us at the B & B).
The congregation was very small, but very welcoming. There were 22 people at the church, not including us.
After the service they took us out for lunch at a Chinese Food restaurant. It was really nice and really good!

The band played really well, although in a style they are not used to, a little more like bluegrass! But it went very well.
Johnny only had two drums and a shaker!



After the service in the morning, Megan's magnetic bear was stuck to the side of the SUV!



The second gig at Calvary Baptist Church was for a younger crowd. So the band turned up the volume. This gig went really well. There were approx. 50 people there and a whole mix of ages. We sold out of our CD’s! and they were asking us to sign the CD covers as well as other things!

The band was again asked to do an encore!

Day 6 Highlights:
1 – Chinese food for lunch
2 – Selling out of CD’s.

Day 6 Quotes:
I broke my car twice in the past year, but different cars - Brad

That's it for now...

Day 5 - Richard's Landing, Ontario

We had a long early morning drive. We left Timmins at approximately 6am, although the guys were late.

We drove 6 hours along a racetrack-like road through the wilderness. Brad drove the whole way and had to avoid partially washed-out roads, fallen trees and wildlife.

The band played at Spring Folly, a youth retreat happening in a town called Desbarats.
It was a great gig because the band could play loud!
Johnny broke four drum sticks, Nate just about lost his guitar while spinning it, and the teens were jumping all over!

Nate was so exhausted that he took a nap on his cab.



After the gig we stayed for supper and then headed down the road to a bed and breakfast.
It is beautiful here. We have a beautiful view of Lake Huron and we were able to watch the Montreal - Philadelphia hockey game.

We are all doing well and are looking forward to a good sleep.

Day 5 Highlights:
We saw three Moose today.
We are staying at a wonderful Bread and Breakfast in Richard's Landing, ON.
Johnny and Justin cuddled while watching Spinal Tap in the squishy third row of the SUV.
Karen finally finished all her grading with a little help from Brad and Justin.

That's it for now...

Day 4 Timmins, ON - 2

Today was a fabulous day.

We met at the church at approx. 9am. The concert was in the evening and so we spent the morning shopping and doing errands. I bought an alarm clock, some batteries, allergy medicine and finally found a place where I could buy a tea with soy milk! (We found a great coffee shop in downtown Timmins!) Nate bought some pants, Johnny a shirt and I'm not sure about the others.

In the afternoon, some of the ladies from First United Church arranged for us to go on a tour of an open pit gold mine. This was incredible! The company uses these HUGE dump truck to carry the rocks that will be separated from the gold. These trucks have wheels that are at least twice my height (I am 6'7") and each wheel costs $20,000. I was somewhat terrified It was stupendous. The current pit is huge and in order to build the pit the company moved a road and part of a lake! THEY ACTUALLY MOVED A LAKE! (and cottages as well according to my host!) These mines have a huge environmental consequence, but at the same time there is a clear plan to fill the mine and replace the top layer so that it can be returned as close as possible to the original land. The destruction and mining operations were beautiful and cool even in this incredible movement of rock and soil.

Below are some pictures! We all had to wear blue hard hats, even while we were driving in the bus.





The concert tonight was also incredible. The band played really well and they even played an encore! We sold six CD's!
Our hosts have been really good and we have had some wonderful meals.

All in all it was a really good day. We will be getting up early tomorrow to be on the road by 6am! So, good night!


Day 4 Highlights
Wearing blue hard hats and visiting the mine was definitely a highlight!
Drinking Earl Grey tea with Soy Milk was a highlight for me!
Johnny fell down half a flight of stairs, but was fine - so I'm not sure if this was a highlight or a relief that he is ok.
Johnny got a haircut.
Johnny also had his head caught in a power window - a little scary, but also funny - once we knew he was fine!

Quote of the day: "Is that Gold too?" - Nate

That's it for now...

Day 3 Timmins, ON - The Home of Shania Twain

Today was a long driving day.

After loading the U-Haul, we began driving in Murillo, Ontario at 9am and arrived in Timmins at approx. 7pm.
Eric began and ended the drive today, while I (Karen) took a four hour shift in the middle.

The road from Thunder Bay to Wawa was great and beautiful. However, the road from Wawa to Timmins was rough in places.

We arrived in Timmins with very hungry bellies and were welcomed with a wonderful meal.

Tomorrow we will be spending the day touring around Timmins. We are hoping to take a tour of a GOLD mine and are debating seeing some Shania Twain landmarks...I'll let you know tomorrow. The show isn't until the evening, so we won't start setting up until after all our sightseeing!

Highlights from day 3:
We played a bit if a road game today where we each told a story that was true or false - we all heard some amazing stories!
We saw a wolf crossing the road and LOTS of ducks.
We also saw tree after tree after tree. It was a long road.

Forgotten Highlights from day 2:
Johnny began hosting his own show "ESPN 8 - The Oat show" on Justin's camera, highlighting made-up sports in the SUV. The first was a sport that involved bouncing garbage off the back of Eric's head. The second was a form of frisbee in the third row of seats and the final involved keeping Megan out of the car (while we were stopped for lunch). They were all highly entertaining. The first is posted below!

That's it for now...

Day 1 and 2 Stratton, Emo and Murillo

So far, the band has played three times in two days. They have done a great job.

The band has a great dynamic and I am impressed with the ways they work together, especially in the set-ups and take-downs.





This is all new to me and I am trying to take it all in!!!

Nate and I had a great conversation about some readings today and I thought I would place them here for others to ponder:

For from the greatness and beauty of created things
comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

Yet these people are little to be blamed,
for perhaps they go astray
while seeking God and desiring to find him.

For while they live among his works, they keep searching,
and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

for if they had the power to know so much
that they could investigate the world,
how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?
- Wisdom of Solomon 13:5-9

"No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. They pay attention to how you listen; for those who have more, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away."
-Luke 8:16-18


Also, as the band was playing tonight in Murillo, a banner was hanging behind them and it read:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
-Psalm 19:14


A few highlights...
Day 1
We met Nate's dog (and roommates) in Warroad, Minnesota.
We ate great curly fries at a restaurant in Emo, ON.
We spent 2 hours in the US picking up Nate and shortening our drive from Otterburne, MB and Stratton, ON.
Johnny rolled out of the restaurant in Emo, ON.

Day 2
At lunch while the guys were playing frisbee, Eric missed and the frisbee hit his forehead.
Eric Broke a string on his guitar and knocked down his mic. But he handled it all very smoothly!
We missed a turn, but managed to find our way anyways.



That's it for now...

An Adventure?

Okay - so I am officially a roadie.

Yesterday I began an 18-day tour with a band called Aslan's Child.
I have been trained as a classical musician and I teach Music Theory, Composition, Cello and other classes at Providence College, where I am a member of the Faculty. I have never been in a band like this, although I have been on many tours, but mostly with classical ensembles!

There are six members of the band - who are all students, or newly graduated students.

It has been a tradition for Providence to send out four tours every year to different parts of North American (and they sometimes go overseas!).

I am a new faculty member (I started in August 2007) and last November I had this brilliant idea that I should get an idea about the touring, as it is somewhat associated with the Music department. I want to know how I can better support this ensemble and Providence as a whole. When the students audition for the ensemble, the understanding is that they will go on tour, they cannot opt out.

Well, in the last few weeks, as the term was careening to a close and I was loosing my head trying to keep up with grading, final exams, graduation preparations and other things, I was wondering if my brilliant idea was actually even a good idea. I was tired and ready to start my summer projects, but here I am and I am glad the be here on tour.

It is the second day of tour and myself and the band are in Murillo, Ontario (just west of Thunder Bay).

I am hoping I can keep you up-to-date on our whereabouts and the adventures that we are having.