The Peak n' Peak Resort

Yesterday, our homestay contact Joan, took us out to a 5-star dinner at an off-season sky resort.

Most plates were over $35.00, with appetizers, desserts, and drinks much more than you would think of.

I didn't take any pictures of the food, but I did get a picture of the resort from the outside. And yes, that's a quick little vintage Photoshop action, but I was too lazy to edit it any other way.

The food was delicious, and I had the most delicious french onion soup that I had ever had in my entire life. Everything was incredible, and we are so lucky to be having these experiences while on our tour.

Lake Chautauqua with the Ladies who Lunch

Becca and I are thrilled to be in a home-stay this residency. You know, like an actual house. No hotel rooms. No dorm rooms. A house. That real people live in.

Before we met our home-stay lady, she invited us to a all-denominational religious service at the Chautauqua Institution.

How shall I describe this place? It's like as if time decided to freeze in the mid 1920s, and preserve everything from the land and architecture...and some of the people...up until present day.

Our home-stay lady, who shall remain anonymous because I want to keep her forever, is amazing. She took us out to dinner at the Institution, and her friends bought us ice-cream after the evening summer concert/religious service.

She is fabulous. Her friends are fantastic. This week is gonna be incredible.

Actually, this is from Jamestown, NY. We stopped there for lunch. There wasn't much to see. But we did get FREE spaghetti sauce out of it. Ask me the story later. 

Of course, Lake Chautauqua. Beautiful. 

One of the many hotels that overlook the lake. This was spectacular. 

Another beautiful house. 

"The Nature Classroom"--a real classroom in the Chautauqua Institution where they hold classes about, of course, nature, religion, and philosophy. 

Adventures in Bradford

It's been a great week! We have a fantastic group of kids--except for the ones who are being super sassy and not giving anything onstage...anyway...it's been pretty awesome so far.

And, this post...is gonna be a picture dump. Becca and I had some free time this afternoon, so we had dinner at a place called "The Aud", and then went walking downtown. After downtown, we swung by the local cemetery--which has been there for quite a long time. The oldest tombstone we found was put there in 1800. Pretty cool.

Some people find that cemetery's can be scary or off-putting. For me, a cemetery is peaceful and full of rich, unique, and intriguing history. Our bodies go into the ground, but our spirits and energy live on. It was a nice adventure today.

Downtown Bradford, PA. Pretty cute little town.

Old Coca-Cola sign downtown.

Apparently, we forgot to leave our clothing there. There must be a lot of people running around Bradford naked.

An old United States Post Office building with one of the many local churches in the background. 

Becca. Being awesome.

Apartment building pattern.

Yup. This is a statue of some saints in the cemetery with the man's head knocked off.

A mausoleum.

Sunset at the cemetery.

Bradford, PA

It's been a while since I posted. Batavia, OH was our very first week and everything went just as well as it could have. Now, we no longer have our on-the-road trainer, Matt...that means we are oh-so-alone. Which isn't that big of a deal...the only issue is that we we are now the face of MCT.

Here in Bradford there is a nice river trail, close to where we are staying. It is calming, tranquil, and incredibly peaceful after a long drive or a long day of work.

I think I'm gonna like it here.

28 hours later...

So. It's been a very long drive. When we arrived to Batavia yesterday, we were very tired and promptly went to bed.

Earlier this morning, we auditioned the show, cast it, and we've already completed the first day of rehearsals.

I hope to have some free time this week to get some great photos of Batavia. It's a quaint little town in southwestern Ohio. It's so humid here. I cannot believe it. It's like I'm walking through air soup.

Through our trip, we stopped for lunch at Space Aliens...which is a fun little restaurant only located in ND and MT.

We saw some extremely beautiful locations on our 28 hour long drive over to Ohio.

Beautiful. 

Traveling Through North Dakota

On our way to Ohio, we have to travel through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and then of course, we're there. Below is pictures of North Dakota. Whoever said ND isn't pretty is crazy. 

Endings and Beginnings

A perfect Missoulian sunset to end a perfect two weeks of training. The open road is calling our names, and we are ready to go.

These past two weeks have been incredibly intense, but worthwhile. I have been taught teaching methods that are extremely powerful and effective. I have gained a new appreciation for the arts, and I couldn't be more excited and ready to begin my theatre tour year!

Inventory and Set Day

In order to make sure that we have everything we need to put on a show with over 55 children each week, we have to inventory our set and costumes. 

It was a pretty tiring process as there is more than 100 costume pieces, props, etc. 

We had to work hard and fast to get out of the incoming rain storm. 

All in all, that was a good day. 

Architecture

There are some pretty houses here in Missoula. 

Lectures, and More Training

Today, we've got more lectures and training. 

It's alright, though. It's super important information.

That's why I spend all my time doodling. 

Missoula and Training

My first week in Missoula has been a fast one. I feel like I have been here for only 2 days, yet at the same time, it feels like I've been here for two months. Missoula is beautiful, and training has been exciting. I've only had one day "off"...and that was the day that I got here. 

The first day, I was able to do a little sight-seeing around Missoula, and my friends that I made on my first day and I...we went hiking. We met a lovely older gentleman named Lee, who loved to chat. His plan was only to make it half way to the top of the M (like the Y in Provo), but with our help, we all made it to the top. It was a very special experience for all of us.

Yes, there will be more pictures along the way; I just haven't had time to update anything...or take any pictures. Check back here for updates...especially starting next week when we're finally on the road.

Adventure is out there!