We fly through Miami to Ecuador with little problem other than getting to American @ LAX over 2 hours early and barely making the flight. How can it take an hour and a half to go through a line of maybe 30 people? ….. I’m not a fan of American. Maybe I’m just spoiled by United.

            We get to the hotel about 9 and have a light dinner at the hotel restaurant. I was exhausted so I was out by 10:30

            After morning devotions a group of us went on a 2-HOUR bus ride to a place called Cotacachi. It is know for its fine and inexpensive leather goods. i bought some things for Julie and jana. Next we went to La Mirage for lunch. This place was amazing. The food was very inexpensive and we got a 4 corse meal. I had talapia. and for desert I had Tomato Ice cream. It was made from a special “Tree Tomato’ that is sweeter than ours and looks like a persimmon

            Next we went to an open air market in Otavalo and I bought brian some tee shirts. bout a half hour later I saw one of the same shirts and asked how much. It was the same price but as i walked away the price kept going down till it was about 60% cheaper than what I had spent. I learned that bargaining face to face is not effective but walking away is VERY effective. I used that technique to buy a few other things. we had a long drive back but the scenery was awesome.

            That evening Glen Holman, his wife Ally, Tommy Coomes and I went to a restaurant on a hill overlooking old-town. it had a huge statue of the Quito Angel on it and we had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant on top of the hill. Beautiful view and the best sea bass I’ve ever had for 9.99.

            It seems on this trip we will have a lot of free time as the soccer team that plays in the stadium we are working in made it to a special play off. One night of the crusade was bumped for their game.

 Sept. 21^st

  Got up early and swam in the pool. It was a challenge as the water was about 90 degrees plus and the altitude kicked my butt. It was more like gasping for breath as I floundered around in the pool than swimming.

            We had our usual 9 am devotional and I then spent a bunch of time trying to figure out the phone card and phones. turns out only one phone in the hotel (of 7) that work with phone cards was working. And it was hardly working at all. Plan B was to do e-mail as much as i could and have Julie let me know who was calling on my cell in L.A.

            This seems to work but messages are at least 12 hours late. it’s about the best i could do.

            later the Somma’s, Jeff lamb and I went to Old town to visit the Convent of  san francisco.   It was build in the 1500’s and there was a museum attached. We saw lots of Franciscan religious art with our own personal tour guide. They sure had a thing for the Virgin Mary. The cab rid back was humorous as i tried to tell a cabbie how to get to the hotel with little spinach and he spoke no english. We got home but I think the cabbie was happy to get me out of his car.

            Then Bill Batstone and i tried to catch up with a bunch of people going to a restaurant We got very lost but eventually found it. We had a nice meal and walked home after a thunder storm. It was another memorable day in Quito.

  We had our 9 am devotions and the band had to take off for sound check. It was a pleasure to see a decent DW kit and tolerable cymbals there. You never know what your gonna get over seas. We rehearsed some Marcus Witt songs and did our thing. We got back to the hotel about 12:30 and i learned all the marcus Witt stuff with the CD. It’s all up tempo Meringue and Soca stuff. Fun for me but i am happy I could listen to the CD as the charts didn’t tell me much. I decided to swim in the hotel pool. The altitude still kicks my butt but the swim felt good.

            I had a late lunch at the hotel. I got a potato soup that is popular here. I was served with a side of goat cheese and a half avocado Mix it all up and it was fabulous. Even at the expensive hotel prices it was only 10 bucks.

            Went over to venue about 5 and had a great time playing. And when Franklin gave his message people just came running. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Very overpowering. God does great things and I’m Blessed to be a part of it.

            On our way out our bus got stuck trying to go up a hill cause a fire engine was blocking the way. I decided if we didn't’ do something we would be sitting there for an hour. I asked Aly to translate and i went up the hill and stopped traffic so we could get out. This process took about 40 min. because people had parked illegally and we had to squeeze our way through some tight spots. Once we did get to the top of the hill it was gridlock. Everyone was trying to go down the hill. I finally convinced the bus driver to go up the hill and go the wrong way on a one way street. It worked and we were away from the gridlock madness. Just call me crazy traffic cop dave.

            We all had sushi afterward at the hotel. It was a nice evening.

            I got up about 6:45 and took a wonderful walk up the hill again. The further up the hill you go the more interesting it gets. It’s a Saturday morning so everyone is out cleaning their little places in front of their houses. There seems to be a pride in making sure what little they have is kept clean. They also take pride in their doors. they might have a small beat up home but their doors are often beautifully stained wood. I came across a couple ladies in a truck full of fruit with a loud speaker and they were chanting something about selling their fruit I suppose.

            made it back to the hotel just in time for morning devotional. Ross gave an inspired talk that was very moving. It’s amazing to me that I am involved with such a wonderful group of people. God IS good!            

            I decided to hang with Dennis Agajanian and the Gutierrez brothers. We all went to the equator and took pictures and hung out. very touristy but fun. After that we went to a market so the guys could buy Carangas. They are like a 5 string ukulele with double strings. Lots of strings for such a small body but they sound great.

            We headed to the crusade about 3 and again witnessed thousands of people coming forward to receive Christ. Amazing!……

            Afterwards we all went out to Pim’s  for some great food and a final hang before a 4:30 am call time in the lobby to fly home. 

June 22nd
I got up early and walked to a nice outdoor pool across the street but it was closed till 10:15. Went back to the hotel and read. Made the walk back to the pool and swam for and hour. Not often I find such a nice pool so close. I need to rant here .... Why is it some places don't in any way take pedestrians into account. This is an area of hotels and restaurants but there were no crosswalks and no way to cross the very busy highway. I felt like I was doing something illegal and very dangerous crossing at the main intersection. Even the receptionist at the hotel was stunned I would walk and it's only 5 minuets away! Anyway ........ We made it over to Willow and had another run through. The event was for all the volunteers that help at the Church throughout the year. The Band sounded wonderful and it was a real joy for me to play behind Tommy. And for such a huge congregation (5 or 6 thousand) the worship was awesome. After the service\concert I ran into friends I had worked with doing Maranatha Worship Leader Workshops. We all went out to eat again afterwards and enjoyed some down time.

June 13th
Since we were all in Minneapolis the Management Co. hired us to play with Bebo Norman at Northwest College. It was a rainy day but I still walked to an indoor pool about a mile and a half away. It's hard to turn down a pool so close so i walked through the rain and had a much needed swim. We went over to the college and the first person I run into is Brice Menaugh form nashville. He is a great drummer who I met doing Worship Leader Workshops. For years we have kept in touch with long phone calls about drumming. He was subbing for the band FFH and we were sharing a kit. What a small world! Jars of Clay opened the night and then Bebo and then FFH. During the concert there was a tornado warning and they came very close to evacuating everyone to tornado shelters. It never happened but it sure did rain. I went outside during my break and saw two small funnel clouds that dissipated as quick as they showed up. Since we were in Minneapolis Sara Groves' came to visit and with Bebo's band and Fernando it was like an ONG reunion. It was also Trinidad's Birthday so after the show we all went out to a great restaurant and had a bit of a party. It was all quite enjoyable. It's amazing how well you get to know people when you spend 5 weeks in a bus with them. I didn't realized how much I missed everyone.

June 12th
We are playing in a small club for Curb Records in Minneapolis. The Fine Line is a great place for music and very intimate. The staff is very professional and a joy to work with. Our inears sounded great and I heard it was good in the house as well. It made for a great show. Natalie Grant played after us. I think a good time was had by all.

April 15th
Julie takes me to LAX and I fly to Fresno for an Ann Graham Lotz event. At LAX I run into Doug Matthews (a drummer friend from Maranatha Workshop Days) and he tells me he is flying to Arizona to do a gig with Norm Stockton. Small world. United managed to loose my drum case but hopefully it will arrive at the Save Mart Center by soundcheck. Brian called and said the matrix had a flat (I had it repaired yesterday) and the Van wouldn't start. Not a good way to begin a 5 week tour. I hope Julie and Brian can hold down the fort till I get back. It's hard being in Fresno and not being able to get up to Yosemite. With all the rain we had this year the falls must be in full flow. The Just Give Me Jesus event is at the Save Mart Center (now there is a classy name) in Fresno and all went well. A very full house on Friday night with a lot of women coming forward. It's always a pleasure to be involved in these events.

April 16th
An early morning just to get to the Save Mart Center and sit around. There is a lot of sitting around today. It's a good showing again. There is something very special about sitting in the middle of thousands of woman sing at the top of their lungs. It ministers to me. I have the night off in Fresno but we are no where near town so I can only hang in my room No pools close by so a walk is the best i can do for exercise.

April 17th
Fly to LA and then to Nashville. My Brother Arlo picks me up and we have a nice walk in an arboretum. I have dinner with his family over at a friends house. Nice night but I'm tired and I go to bed early.

April 18th
Arlo and I eat at the Loveless Cafe and Motel which is a Nashville hangout. It sits at the end of the Natchez Trace which is an old road going from New Orleans to Nashville. We get to Soundcheck for rehearsals by 11 and I spend a lot of time getting drums together and set up. We then meet and soundcheck with Sara Groves and her band members Troy on Percussion (Her Husband) and Faith on Violin and Vocals. Again I spend the night with my Bro Arlo. Long Day.

April 19th
An early day @ Soundcheck and we meet Bebo and his musicians Gab on a Million instruments (What doesn't he play) and Matt on Keys. It's a very long day again as we end with a soundcheck for Fernando. Back to the hotel for and early night

April 20th
Another early AM and a very long day going through the show twice. Afterwards Fern and the band go to a nice place for dinner. Tomorrow starts the tour.

April 21st
It's off to Chattanooga for our first concert. I find a YMCA and have a much needed swim. We are playing at Chauncy Good Auditorium. It's a bit rough but for a first show things go okay. The interesting thing was having people out front picketing against Christian "Rock" Concerts saying they were of the devil. Never thought of Fernandos music as rock but at least these people are passionate about their beliefs even if I think they are nuts. The other big thing was I happened to be the first person to ever play real drums in this auditorium. I love breaking new ground even if some people hate me for it.

April 24th
I have the day free with Arlo and Debbie. We go to church and then walk around the Franklin Street Fair. Then we go to Cheekwood (a nice mansion \museum\arboretum) and have a pleasant walk in the spring gardens. After some driving around to show me the area we go back to have dinner. While Arlo was cooking I sat on his lawn mover and spent about an hour plus moving his lawn. I've never had so much fun trimming the grass. Dinner was good and filling and was followed by a small fireworks display from Arlo. An enjoyable day.

April 25th
This morning Arlo takes me on a drive around. When he mentioned the Natchez Trace a few days back I didn't understand what it was he was talking about. Imagine 440 miles of a green belt from south of Nashville to about 140 miles North of New Orleans. I love when our government spends our tax dollars like this (This is not sarcasm, I'm serious!). It was a beautiful road and would be a blast to bike or have a leisurely road trip down (speed limit of 45). We went to have breakfast and then I had to be off to rent better drums. The ones I had just were not working for Fernando. I borrowed a car from Arlo and drove to Drum Paradise to pick stuff out. They were very accommodating and I headed back to Franklin with my newly rented kit. On the way I stopped and had a swim at the Wlliamson Co. Rec. Center. Again we have a great meal ala Arlo. I head to the hotel at 8:30pm to leave for PA.

April 26th
A long drive to Chippewa, PA. When we get there they drive us to our hotel in lovely Big Beaver. There was an Adult book store next to the hotel and I was wondering why they didn't name it the obvious?!? I had a nice run up a hill through Big Beaver Borough and soon after we headed to the venue. It was a very long soundcheck because we have a new sound man. All the effort was worth it as the concert was sold out. The new guy, Rob, really came through. It's nice to know the rest of the tour will sound good.

April 28th
Early in the morning I go to the end of the Navy pier and sit and read a while. It's very pleasant out when the sun is reflecting off the water. It keeps it warm but the minute you leave and get away from the reflection it gets chilly. About 9:30 I head back and go for a swim. I like the pool because they keep it at about 75 or 76 degrees. Perfect for lap swimming. Afterwards I head all the way out to the Planetarium. This is a long walk and I don't get back till 2 or so. Fernando Rich and I walk all the way to "Old Jerusalem" for dinner and decide it would be best to come back by cab. It is very cold when the wind gets going. Everyone's on the bus at 11:30 to drive to Des Moines.

April 29th
Our hotel in lovely Clive Iowa leaves a lot to be desired. Rich ands I get a smoking room so I try to find a walk to a pool to get out of the stench filled room. There is an Aqua center about a mile and a half away and since I can't get through by phone i just decide to walk. I pass a Cracker Barrel, a Kum and Go gas station and finally find the pool across from the National Pork Council. Looks like a nice outdoor facility but it is closed for winter. I continue walking till i hit a river and a Green Belt walking path. The path takes me trough a nice area of parks and homes. About an hour and a half after I leave I discover I am close to the hotel again. I had made a huge loop. Fernando and I find ourselves at the Cracker Barrel because the only other option is a mexican restaurant. Do they make good mexican food in Iowa? Off to soundcheck at 2:15. After a long soundcheck I hook up with my Aunt and Cousin before the show and have a nice talk. I can't believe how my Cousins children have grown. During the show Fernando introduces me as the oldest member of the whole touring group. It makes for good banter when he says everyone else plays ping pong and he and I sit around reading USA Today and drinking metamucil. The concert went very well and my Aunt was surprised at how funny everyone was. Yes, Christians do have a sense of humor. We get a late start to Minneapolis.

April 30th
We go straight to the Venue which is a 4000 seat church and the concert is sold out. Last nights was as well. Once we get to the hotel one of the drivers got me a pass to Flagship Health Spa. I walk over but found out it wasn't open for lap swim till noon so I walked back to the hotel and made some calls and headed back for a swim. It was a wonderful facility with a 25 meter lap pool. I really needed a good swim today. Another long soundcheck but then i hooked up with Heather and Michael Bissonette and had a nice visit before and after the show. Sara was still struggling with her voice but see managed to sing beautifully. Another enjoyable show. Trini and I went over to the Groves bus to borrow some DVD's and ended up staying for a long time. Trini and Sara were sharing Preacher's Kid stories. Fun to be a part of the conversation. Sara seems to get people to open up. Not sure how that is. She is very easy to talk to. After a trip to Wal Mart we get a very late start to Sioux Falls.

May 1st
You'd think it would be nice out in the beginning of May but it's COLD. As I sit writing this in our hotel in Sioux Falls the sun came out for a minute and I though I'd go for a walk but the next second I look outside it's snowing and the wind is raging. Think I'll stay in today. On second thought I'm not very good at staying in so I put on every piece of clothing i brought and venture out into the elements. There is a path that follows the river down to the Falls so I make for that. Snow flurries and a strong wind in my face keep me moving to stay warm. The falls are nice enough and the city built a nice park around it. The real tragedy is, above the falls was probably the nicest and most beautiful area around. There was a small woods covered island that was used as a park but unfortunately is looks little better than a dump now. In the early 1900's the river was diverted and the trees cut down to build a power plant. Such a shame that back then no one cared about the environment and an area that beautiful could be decimated so easily. A perfect example of man destroying God's beauty. Anyway..... I made it back to the hotel in time for another long soundcheck. I think future soundchecks will be much shorter. The Auditorium we are playing is very classy. Too bad we aren't in theaters like this more often. Show went well. I'm getting to know Sara and Troy's kids better. Toby and Kirby are 2 and 4 and are fun to hang around. I miss having that age.

May 2nd
Got up early today in Minneapolis and did laundry. About 11 Michael Bissonette picked me up and took me to Groth Music. I had a ball looking through all the percussion toys. I ended up buying a bunch of shakers and bells and stuff. Great prices and a selection of things I had never seen before. We then had lunch at Chipotle. I like that place. After parting with Michael I headed off to swim at a Balley's across the freeway. It was a cold walk but the swim was worth it. I meet an elderly gentleman who was grilling me about my swimming. Nice guy. He lent me his kick board. As I was walking back to the hotel I made calls and got Mike Fauxs #. He is currently playing Lion King in Minneapolis. I hooked a couple friends up with him so they could get back stage tours. I then met Fernando at the Mall of America for dinner and come back to chill at the hotel till the bus leaves at 2am.

.May 3rd
Man is it cold outside! We arrive at Cedar Falls to a stark environment. I think they call it Cedar Falls because all the Cedars were fallen to make room for cornfields. There isn't much here. We are in a brand new hotel that has a lovely dirt clod theme for landscaping. I love the way they let it spill onto the walkways. The first thing I see in the "Things To Do" are John Deer Operations, National Cattle Congress and Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. There is also the Ice House Museum displaying how they used to harvest ice here. The best I can do today is walk to the local Walmart about 20 minuets away to pick up some things. The people seem nice and are very accommodating. Funny how people who live in harsh environments can be so kind. The concert tonight is sold out again and the church looks like it will have decent acoustics. All that should make for a nice evening

May 4th
We get up in Kansas City and I can't find a pool for my life and it's finally warmed up. I end up running and enjoying the Plaza area near the creek. After getting back to the hotel I try to call Kevin Rogers (a guitarist friend from my Maranatha Music Workshop Days) and after leaving a message I decide to call Rod Lincoln (a drummer\engineer acquaintance) I have only talked to him once but I figure it's worth a try. Turns out Kevin Rogers is at his house recording. They decide to drive down to meet Rich and I and we have a nice hang at a restaurant. Just as they are leaving Bebo, Rochere, Justin, Matt, Suzie, Faith and Gabe all come in and we a good time hanging out for a while. It made for a nice night off. The Bus leaves at midnight for Colorado Springs

May 5th
About 9 am we pull into Colorado Springs and it's beautiful out. Finally great weather. I found a Balleys nearby and go for a swim. The walk back was very pleasant. I found a road next to a creek and walked along that for a while. Soundcheck is going faster now and we have a bit of down time before we get the concert started. Sitting and chatting with all these new friends is a pleasure. The audience is very receptive tonight. They give everyone a standing ovation when their set is done. The band is sounding great and everyone seems comfortable now. Fernando really enjoys introducing me as the oldest person on the whole tour. Even older than the bus driver! And then he says "He looks young from a distance but if you see him up close he looks REAL old!". Ouch! Whatever gets a laugh. We get on the bus to head for Albuquerque.

May 6th
Another beautiful day. The venue in Albuquerque is a big dome. Not great for acoustics but the load in is easy. After getting to the Hotel I decide to run with Rich, Faith, Gabe and Matt. We run for about 30 minutes and that is about all I can take. Their pace is much quicker than mine and i don't run much anymore. Afterward I have a much needed swim in the best hotel pool so far on the tour. 20 yards and the water is about 78 and it's outdoors. Gotta love that. After another quick soundcheck we have a good concert. This is Fernando's home town so all his family are there. It was nice to see his wife Margee again. next we drive to Amarillo Texas.

May 7th
Amarillo Texas is a dump. Sorry but I do my best to find redeeming qualities in cites and I'm hard pressed here. I found a YMCA in town and walked about 2 and a half miles through absolutely nothing you would want to walk through. I thought coming back I would go another way and I was even more disappointed. The Y was old and beat up as well. The highlight so far was a Flea Market next to the hotel that was very ghetto but I bought a 10 dollar wallet and a small crampon to hang my new jingle jangly percussion stuff on for the shows. We did see a nice sunset after dinner. As for Amarillo ........ unless you like eating 72 oz. of beef in one sitting (that must be lethal) so you don't have to pay for it .... there is no reason to return.

May 8th
Fort Worth Texas is much nicer than Amarillo. I found a pool but it cost me 20 dollars to swim. Amazing what I'll go through to swim. Had a nice walk to and from the Gym. Lots of turtles in the lake nearby. I went to the venue early to help set up because there was a late load in. Soundcheck and concert was great. We had a nice thunder storm come through and I enjoyed a rainbow for a few moments. Now it's off to Nashville for a few days off.

May 9th
Got to nashville about noon. Arlo (my bro) picked me up and we went to his house where I borrowed a car. I then picked Trini up at the hotel with his upright Bass and took him to a place to repair it. Got back to Arlo and Debbies in time for dinner. Later that night Arlo and I went for a walk and enjoyed a sliver moon and a lot of fire flies.

May 10th
I went for a swim in the AM and Arlo, Debbie and I went to Cheekwood for lunch. Then Arlo and I went for a long hike around Radnor Lake. we walked for about 2 hours plus and it took us through a beautifully wooded lake area and up and down some ridges nearby. We saw lots of deer and enjoyed the conversation. We were close to the place to pick up the bass so we got that and headed back Home. After a nice dinner I was at the hotel at about 8 for a long drive to Northern Michigan.

May 11th
Gaylord Michigan. It's a bit chilly outside and the nearest pool is about 8 miles away so I take a run with Rich ,Gabe and Faith. We went about 4 miles or so and I kept up okay for an old guy. Looks like the only exciting thing to do is go to Walmart Supercenter eh.

May 12th
A day off in Cleveland. We started with a very windy and cold run. I have trouble keeping up with Faith and rich but I manage okay. There was a 15 yard pool at the hotel so I swam a bit after the run. Everyone goes to the Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Great lakes Science Center. It is an Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies. They do this with a process called Plastination. It was one of the most amazing exhibits at a museum I've ever seen. Absolutely Fascinating. Later we all had dinner at the hotel ... Not much to do in downtown Cleveland on a week night.

May 13th
We get to the venue early and eat breakfast. It is a beautiful Church that looks like a performing arts center. Very nice. The hotel has a 20 yard pool and I try to take advantage of that and find out it's closed from 9:30 to 4pm!?!? ..... I find a 25 meter pool a few blocks from the hotel and enjoy a complimentary swim due to the confusion and frustration of the girl at the desk who couldn't figure out how to charge me. Rich and faith had an incredible run along the Patawmack Canal near Great Falls VI. Wish I would have done that. They kept telling me how beautiful it was. Did soundcheck and because there was a 8pm start we took a walk in the Bird sanctuary behind the church. A nice little creek and enjoyable wooded area. Concert sounded better than normal. Everyone is playing and singing well and I realize what a blessing working with these people is to me.

May 14th
Joppa MD. We have 2 show today so it is an early morning. A 15 year old named Nathan who helped me with the drums the last time we cam through here was very helpful again. It makes setting up and tearing down so much easier with someone that knows drums. He had my kit set up perfectly when I got to the Venue. We had 2 very receptive and vocal audiences. And once again the band sounds very good. It was a long day but enjoyable and at the end of the night Nathan helped and I had my stuff packed away in record time.

May 15th
Tamaqua, PA. What a beautiful area. This used to be an old coal mining town but seems well preserved in a funky coal mining town kind of way. The School we are playing at has a nice auditorium. In the morning I walk around the large campus waiting for the school bus to take us 30 min away to the hotel. I decided to run (no pools anywhere) to a State park but only make it about two thirds of the way. Very nice rivers here. It was a decent run with a few nice spots of scenery. Steve Young and Scott Strunk drove out to see the show. I ended up going back with them and then and spending the night at Steve's

May 16th
Steve and I get up and grab the train to NYC. After making our way to the hotel we walk to the Letterman Show and visit Rupert at Hello Deli. Then Fernando Steve and I go to Soho to meet Ben Wish. It was a short but nice visit. After lunch we part ways with Steve and Fernando and I spend a lot of time just walking around Soho. We catch a cab back to the hotel and I take a long walk through central park. Later that night we meet for dinner and my friend Dave Mancuso joins us. He is back in NYC doing Spamalot after 5 years with Lion King. We walk around after dinner and then say so long to Dave.

May 17th
We wale up in Keene, New Hampshire. It's a beautiful day. One of the promoters, Linda, tells me how to get to a Y to swim and she lends me her mountain Bike to get there! After a good swim I take to the hills and get lost riding through the woods. It was wonderful and very beautiful. After finding my way back to town I ride down a river walk and end up riding to the Venue for soundcheck. The best day of the trip for me. Pounding through the woods on a bike was just what I needed. The concert went very well and the audience was one of the most receptive of the tour.

May 18th
We wake up in Niagara Falls NY. Another gorgeous day so I get out for an early jog because there are no pools around. The falls a spectacular in the morning light and I'm bummed I don't have a camera. After getting back I do laundry and clean up and head out to walk to the Canadian side for a better view of the falls. On my way back I run into Fernando and I walk back to canada with him and we hang for a while. After running into Faith and Rich they tell me about a road the goes into the gorge a couple miles below the falls so I head of for it. With the sun going down it turns out to be a fabulous walk. The views were well worth the long day of walking. I walk all the way back and get to the American Falls just in time for the sunset. Another good day and tons of walking.

May 19th
Aurora Oh. An uneventful day but nice weather. I took a long walk around the church and had a swim in the short (17 yards) Hotel pool. The concert was fun and went well. another sold out and very receptive audience. Can't wait to be home. This is fun but I need to be with my family.

May 20 and 21st
Okay I admit I stopped journaling ........ It was a great end of the tour and rather bitter sweet. It was great to be going home but hard to say good-bye to a bunch of great new friends. The tour was a joy to be a part of.

March 24th ........
Meet Rich Nibbe at LAX. He had a hernia operation just 2 days ago. Cant believe he’s making this flight. He used an upgrade to get me into Business class with him. A very nice treat for me. It’s hard to watch a guy who does marathons walk around like Tim Conways old man character. I help him as much as i can.

March 27th
Happy Easter! I drag myself out of bed at 7:30 because this is my last chance to see Amsterdam. I decide to ride the bike to a train and then take the train with the bike to town. Turns out it takes me 30 min to get to the train and then the train takes 45 to get to Amsterdam and they don't want me to take the bike on the train. I should have taken the bus. I am now short on time so I opt to ride to Amsterdam's Bos. It's like their Central park. Again I ride more than 20 miles and my bum is sore. This bike is little more than a beach cruiser. It was a lovely park but I regret my decision and feel I should have taken the bus so at least I would have had an hour in the city. It was great to hear the Church bells ringing in the big church by the park. As I get lost riding around I am amazed at how well the Dutch speak english. In my 2 days here there has not been 1 person who didn't speak enough english to understand me very well although their instruction on getting around were not that good. I think I asked directions at least 5 or 6 times.
Next we are off to the airport to fly back to England. Dave and his wife drive us from London Heathrow to an old mansion that has been turned into a conference center. On the way we pass an estate that was used for the next Batman movie. The English country side is nothing but lush rolling hills. The grounds and original structure of our hotel are rather spectacular and i walk around trying to stay awake for dinner. This estate was originally owned by the first man in England to have a gardening show on the tele. I seem to be weighed down by jet lag and it's all I can do to stay awake. I'm in bed by 9pm.

March 28th
Got up very early and went to a conference room to journal. It's very foggy outside and I take a bunch of misty pictures in the early twilight. There is a short pool (11 yards) so I take a. brief swim till I get dizzy turning. I have become a pool snob but I was desperate for exercise. A quick breakfast and we are off to Skagness.
Skagness is exactly like the name sounds. A sort of trailer trash Santa Cruz with no ambiance. We check in to a decent hotel and make our way to the facility. It is an old army base that base been converted into an amusement carney type of area. Not real classy. There a loads of problems getting situated and with the place to play. No amps and we only have an hour . to set up and with soundcheck.
There is a whole bunch of hurry up and wait and we never get back to the hotel. The concert goes well and everyone seems to enjoy it. A very long and tiring day and buy the time my head hits the pillow at 1:30am I am out.

March 29th
It's an early start as we need to drive to Minehead and pick up some amps in Birmingham on the way. It is equivalent to driving from LA to Monterey. It becomes a very long day. The up side was we could finally get phone cards as the Post office as it was finally open after 4 days closed for Easter holiday.
Hours in the car and I'm up front with Dave Bruce our driver and tour guide for most of this trip. It is a gloomy day and it get to the point where it is raining very hard. I can tell the country near Minehead is very beautiful but it is impossible to see much of anything through the rain. We have to go straight to the venue and go through the same rigmarole of a quick soundcheck and performance. We are all beat but the up side is our hotel in a little village called Dunster in a national park called Exmoor. It is very reminiscent of the Central or northern California coast only everything is much greener. I think there is a new shade of green here I've never seen.
We are all dead tired but get through the performance fine and had back to the hotel about one am and again I can't wait to feel my pillow under my head.

March 30th
We have a day off so I get up at eight and walk to the Aqua Splash about a mile and a half towards Minehead. I can tell I'm going to like it here. The type of place I could spend four or five days on vacation.
The splash is a 25 meter indoor pool and I have a great swim (in an anti clockwise direction). I meet an elderly woman who is very friendly and perky. She loves the fact I am from LA and tells me, thinking this will impress me, she has been to Hollywood . She also gives me a short lecture not to forget to retrieve my one pound used to hire a locker "because there is so much you can do with one pound. The facility has communal dressing rooms with private stalls but I found it a bit odd at the end of my swim to be showering in a small area surrounded by a bunch of ladies including my friend who seems to really enjoy talking to me.
I walk back towards the Dunster and am pleased to find it's getting a bit nicer outside. There is a steam train that runs along the coast and I watch it start up and billow off onto the distance.
Dave and the guys (minus Fernando) pick me up as I'm walking back. We head towards Wells where there is a big 14th century cathedral. On a rest stop I buy a yogurt and a juice for seven dollars. Wow! This exchange rate sucks.
Dave misses a turn but it takes us through some beautiful towns and countryside. I like England. The town of Wells is having a street market and it ruins the Picture we could of taken of the Village center and Market Cross. The Cathedral is spectacular and well worth the drive. We spend a lot of time just enjoying it.
After lunch we head to Glastonbury Abby, an old 11th century monastery and cathedral that was torn down by Henry the Eighth. He had issues. The legend of the place says that Joseph of Arimathea, the Virgin Marys Uncle brought Jesus here when he was a boy and Joseph returned years later and built a simple place of worship here. Not sure that fits into the scriptures but that is why the English claim this land is so sacred.
We have a nice time but I think everyone is getting tired again. I want to get back to Minehead because there looks like a ton of things to do around there. Once at the hotel I take a brisk walk up a nearby Conygar hill but have to jet back to meet everyone for dinner.
At dinner I realize I should be outside because the sunset has lit up the clouds. Another missed opportunity but dinner was fantastic. Afterwards I spend time sorting pictures and hit the sack early.

March 31st
I'm up at 6 and go downstairs to journal so I don't disturb Rich. I'm hoping for an early AM walk to see the sunrise but in proper English fashion it is very overcast and drizzly. I am up before the hotel staff is and as the workers come in they all make comments about me sitting in the little lobby with my laptop. One woman is very sweet and gets me decaf and we chat a while. It's now time to hike around Dunster. First I go up to the hill behind the hotel to a tower that was build solely for the visual enjoyment of the owner of Dunster castle. I take the back way down and go through a field to the back side of the village. There is "Butter Cross" from medieval times. I assume it is similar to the Market crosses that are in all the Villages. They were a gathering place for commerce. I continued to the Mill and around the castle grounds and back to the hotel.
A quick breakfast and we are off to see Exmoor National park. It just me and Dave Bruce with Garath (from Authentic records) driving his car. We head to Lynmouth on a curvy road that reminds me again of Big Sir.
Lynmouth is a fishing village with a nice river flowing through it into the atlantic ocean The guys let me hike around for about an hour then we all have fish and chips and head back over the moors of the park . This is a place I could visit again especially if the weather in better.
As we get back to Dunster they drop me off at the Castle. It is closed on thursday but the grounds are open. Again I'm wanting to see this on a clear day. It is now very damp and foggy.
I get down to the aqua splash again for a swim and get back to the hotel for dinner at seven. It looks like another long night of moving gear and staying up late to pack up and load the van so we can do it all again in Skegness tomorrow night.

April 1st
It's clear outside so I get up and take a walk around the grounds of Dunster castle. It's nice to see the surrounding area without a vial of fog. We are off to Skegness today and the long drive is uneventful. I spend most my drive Charting Sara Groves tunes. We arrive in Skegness at 3:30. I take a long walk to the beach and realize this is not a pretty area but some of the houses by the beach are magnificent and very well kept up.
Another good gig and another night in Skegness. I'm bummed we end up back here after London

April 2nd
We are on the road to London. We stop at a n antique store and I buy a 1854 painting of a shipwreck in Ireland. We hit tons of traffic due to a massive antique show at a fairgrounds. Looks like a place I could spend all day browsing. We make our way to Waddesdon to meet a guy from Authentic Records who has tickets for us to see the Rothschild estate. We get a historical and informative tour of the wine cellar and the very large an over the top mansion. In one room there were two dressers said to be worth 7 million each. That is only the beginning. It's hard to imagine such wealth. The grounds are stunning as well and I have a nice walk.
Finally we head of to London and Dave takes us through the city for a look around. Very enjoyable except the guy that drove illegally around a cue of cars and decided he was going to cut i n front of us. Dave had to merge and wouldn't let the guy in. he ended up throwing a bottle of water at us and we were lucky the window was up or it would have nailed me in the face. Randy was ready to take him on but we decided the road rage guy could do whatever he wanted. It's obvious Jerk drivers are universal.
We are staying in a nice hotel in Greenwich. It's time to say good-bye to Dave Bruce and thank him for his driving and help over the last week. He will be missed. Everyone goes out for dinner and then spend the rest of the night trying to get on line. Everyone is frustrated by this.

April 3rd
It's a slow start for everyone. I spend time charting tunes for Bebo and sara for the next tour. London is blessed with a sunny day and we head out to enjoy it. The train to the tube to the Big Red Bus is our transport to and around London. Seeing the sights was cool from the bus and it was a spectacular day so the streets were very crowded. We stopped at Hyde park and watched all the people on their 'soap boxes" spewing on about everything but religion seemed to be a popular topic. It seemed amazing that even though it got very heated no one came to blows. It's as if the crowd was self policing itself.
After about 4 hours we decided to head back for dinner at the hotel since it was paid for. The exchange rate is so bad we all need to save when we can. It's about 10 dollars for the train and about 34 for the bus tour.
The dinner at the hotel was absolutely awful. The "Warf" looked very nice but it was way bad.

April 4th
I get up early and swim at an indoor pool about 15 min. walk down the road. The Brit's like to alternate their lanes from clockwise to anti clockwise. I got in trouble because I couldn't see the signs.
Trini and I decide to go take the Tower of London tour and see the Tate museum of Modern Art. The weather was drizzly to rainy but we still enjoyed the trip. The great thing about the Tate was a sonic art piece by a guy named Neuman in which he used this huge space and had speakers positioned so as you walked you would focus on different sounds. It was worth the whole trip.
We walked across the Millennium bridge and even checked out the old Globe Theater. The history in London makes it entertaining to just walk around. We head back to the hotel swept up in rush hour and it's all we can do to not get trampled to death. These people mean business when it comes to heading home.
It was tai food for dinner and all were happy.

April 5th
After an hour walk in the park I spent the morning doing more charts for the US leg of the tour. I have to write about 19 or so. After breakfast I spend the day seeing the museums next door to the hotel. The National Maritime Museum was first. I was captivated by a room full of drawing from the late 1600's by William Van De Veldes the Elder. He would be on a boat on the periphery of a great naval battle and sketch it on rolls of paper. His battle scenes and seascapes were beautiful and full of detail. I spent about 45 min in that one room. The Queens house was next. It was full of portraits but the one room that captivated me was full of the paintings by William Van de Veldes the younger. His work concentrated more on harbor and sea scenes but all in oil. Very enjoyable. I then walked up the hill to the national Observatory. This is the location of longitude 0. It was an hour well spent learning about how time pieces were made so sailors could find their longitude. For lunch I had a paste and went to the hotel for more charting.
That night randy Fernando and I went to a Pub and had a magnificent meal. There was a French chef in the back creating some wonderful meals. It was a pleasure to eat a great dinner after the disappointment at the hotel.

April 6th
Unfortunately the pool was closed so my early morning swim didn't happen. I walked and went back to get ready for our trip back to Skegness. Had a long walk along the Skegness beach. Not a pretty beach but the clouds were great. A long day but the concert went well. I won't be in a hurry to go back to Skegness soon.

April 7th
We got up early to get ready for the trip to Belfast. The minute we got off the plane I could tell I like it here. A lot more topography than England. It was very cold but beautiful. We did a soundcheck and got to the hotel with just enough time to eat and leave. The area we were in was stunning but no time to check it out. I'll have to come back someday.
The concert was a big success thanks to the promoters Philip and Wendy. Wonderful people to hang out with. Hope to get back someday and explore.

April 8th
Time to go home. Belfast to London to San Francisco to LA. We woke up to snow on the ground. Beautiful scenery. Just a shame we can't spend any time here. All the flights went well. Praise God I'm Home!

Australia

March 12th
Julie and i make the 15 hour flight to Sydney very cramped in the back of the plane.

March 14th
After that much time in a plane and losing a day you would expect to be in a place where they don’t speak English but I suppose that is one of the great things about australia. It is a beautiful warm morning about 8 am when we arrive. We get a shuttle to the Grace hotel but can’t check in till 2 so we walk to Darling Harbor. We enjoy the nice weather and sights and end up back at the hotel to check in. After cleaning up and settling in we walk to Circular Quay to see Sydney harbor. It is as stunning as everyone says and we walk all over checking out the opera house and Bridge and watching the sunset. By now we are wasted and go back for a light meal in our room and we are asleep by 8 or so.

March 15th
Another great day of weather. We are up at 4:30 or so and head out to the Royal Botanic gardens before it is light. We get to the park and hear a loud bizarre sound and head towards it to discover hundreds of large fruit bats all over the place. Amazing! We guessed they had about a three foot wingspan. They are called Flying Foxes and are actually considered a nuisance in the park because they damage the trees.
After spending a while watching the bats we head to the peninsula to see the sunrise over the bay. The weather is perfect and we spend a while just absorbing the daybreak.
Now its off to Manly beach by ferry. This city is stunning and the trip gives us a beautiful view of the city from the water. We arrive at Manly and walk over to the beach and head down the coast to Shelly beach in hopes of finding the trail to North Head. The walk up the cliffs gave us magnificent views of the coastline. At one point I saw a VERY large lizard (more than 2 feet long) race under a rock.
It was a long walk to North Head but well worth it. again the view of sydney and the coast was awesome. The weather was like those hot Oct. Santa Ana windy days in LA. except with an onshore breeze. It was probably about 80-85 on the beach and you could see forever.
Made the long walk back to manly beach and had Fish and Chips at a place near the water. Next we went off to do some shopping in the downtown area to buy some tee shirts. we finally get back to the boat at about fourish and head back to Sydney. What a wonderful adventure.
After the boat trip back we walk around the Rocks area a bit but have sore feet and end up heading back to the hotel. we again have dinner in the room and sack out early.

March 16th
Get up early and take a train to Gronuella. This is as far south as the train goes. Then a ferry over to The Royal National park. We almost had the place to ourselves . It was a bit overcast but by the time we got to pristine Jibbon beach it was clearing. Another beautiful day strolling all around Jibbon Head and seeing Aboriginal carvings in the rocks and just enjoying the day
Back on the ferry buy two and then back to Sydney on the train with dozens of school kids.
Went out to Chris Seafood for dinner and enjoyed a very good meal. After dinner we walked to Hyde park as it started to rain. Again we were dealing with sore feet so we headed in early.

March 17th
I was up early and went to a wonderful saltwater pool right on the bay. At 6 am the pool was packed. People here really take their swimming seriously. As I walked back I watched the Bats again. We then packed went out in the rain to Darling Harbor for breakfast.
Got to the airport by shuttle and we were in Melbourne by 5 or so. A woman named Joan picked us up and drove us through terrible traffic to the hotel. Then we Spent the rest of the evening buying groceries and doing laundry.

March 18th-20
Each AM we would get up and have devotionals with Franklin Graham and everyone else. The musicianship in the was second to none and the time was a Blessings to Julie and I. I would have to be at soundcheck a bit after that so we would walk in the park or go to the Queen Victoria Market when we had time.
The Crusade was in a very large Football arena so it was not as intimate as others I have done but there was a good showing and over 3 days over 5 thousand people came forward to give their lives to Christ.
Julie and I had a great time hanging with everyone in the band and were very honored to be a part of it all.
Melbourne is a nice city but it would be a place to go back to only if we could get away from the city to see the sights around it. That was the cool thing about Sydney. It was very easy to get out of the city. We just never had a chance to do that in Melbourne.

March 21
I walked 2 miles to a pool and enjoyed a much needed swim. We left for the airport at 11am and got home at about noon the same day. A lot of traveling in one looooong day.
Fortunately we were upgraded to economy business class so we had a bit more leg room.
A very enjoyable few days away for us. I think we need to do it more often but it’s back to work!

Jan. 29th 2005
Indianapolis

Got up early to find a pool. The Natatorium is a beautiful Olympic quality facility only about a 10 min. walk away but it was closed on Saturday. ARRRRGG! After 30 min of calling around to find another pool I gave up when my only option was 12 miles and a 40 dollar cab fare away.
It’s snowing pretty hard outside so I thought dressing warm and going for a walk was my next option. I started walking on the indoor walkway that winds through the convention center and the mall and ends up close to the Capitol building. Once outside I realize it isn’t that cold but it is still snowing.
The Capitol building was empty being a saturday. I ended up with a 30 min. private tour of the building. The Judicial room was the highlight as it had been kept in it’s original splendor. Nothing like tons of oak and stained glass to give a room an aura of prestige.
Some fun history...... a bust of a commandeer of a Union prisoner of war camp, Richard Owen, given to the state by confederate prisoners of war thanking him for his respect and kindness. And a book called Seven Months a Prisoner by someone Hadley. It was used as reference for the movie Cold Mountain. Sounds like a book I need to read being a Civil War Buff. There was a poem I enjoyed as well called Ain’t God Good to Indiana.
Next I braved the snow for a long walk along the Canal District. The canal was frozen about a half mile down and I stopped to watch an air-bubble bobbled around under the ice. It seemed to have a life of it’s own moving this way and that looking for a way out or at least a place to settle. After 5 min. of watching I realized I it was time to get back for soundcheck.
Soundcheck was LOOOONG! Not the case usually. Makes us all appreciate having Tyke or Marcus on the road with us.
The Concert was for a 20th anniversary of a church so they rented a big room in the convention center so all their congregation could be together for the event.

Feb. 11 2005
Wheaton Academy (one hour west of Chicago)

No place to swim. Rats! I walked to the mall in the cold. Froze my nose off. The Mall was empty except for Mom’s and their kids. The walk was nicer because I was walking into the sun and the wind was at my back. Thought I would explore the Pheasant Hill resort across the street in hopes of finding a pool. There were 2 big pools but they were not set up for lap swimming. Such a waste of all the water.
It amazes me that upscale “Planed Community” America doesn't consider that some people walk. Now, I know it is a very small percentage of people But come on! There was an intersection across from the mall with a Wal Mart and a Target on opposite corners and no crosswalks. I felt like I was doing something illegal trying to cross at the intersection. It would have been safer to cross all 6 lanes of traffic anywhere else but at that intersection. There were also no sidewalks but plenty of trash. Maybe if people walked a bit more they wouldn't be as comfortable throwing trash out their windows. America is far to automobile oriented. Is it too hard to keep your trash in your car until you find a trash can?