From Fairfax, VA

We now have a down day in Fairfax, VA. Show is tomorrow nite and today has been spent cleaning up loose ends with some equipment maintenance, shopping, and organizing for the next weeks schedule.

Our volunteer kitchen crew did a great job covering for chef Ron's week off but they were all ready for a rest when relief came at the end of the week in Atlanta.

We again missed beating the current world champions by the narrowest of margins. We have two more opportunities to meet them before Indy. If they were'nt so darned good, we wouldn't be so excited to be running neck and neck with them I guess.

We were in Salem, VA yesterday and the hills around the site reminded us all of New Hampton--it seems like such a long time ago! Today in Fairfax, it is very similar--and the weather is much milder as well. THe corps had a laundry and Walmart evening after leaving South Carolina. They seem to be in great spirit and are working hard on the final cleaning of the show.

The next few days will be hectic from a drivers perspective as we are traveling from Westchester, PA up to Lawrence, MA, then back down to Allentown, then on to Buffalo, then Massilon, OH all back to back--lots of miles in the last week before finals. It will be an exciting series of shows in Indy....can't wait!

Will see more of you in Lawrence for the home show.

Curt

Pre-show in Murfreesboro, TN

Well here we are at Atlanta weekend! Murfreesboro 2nd half tonite and the Georgia Dome tomorrow. We are still in good position ahead of several of our perennial rivals--seems the scoring was tough last nite here in Murfreesboro for the first half of the line-up so we will see where we end up. New show changes are in and the corps is doing a clinic in the main stadium here this afternoon before dinner.

We are again housed in dormitory rooms at Mid tennessee State University so we are all quite comfortable. The weather is quite a bit cooler than it has been and that is also a relief.

The pix below are from last evening's practice in Booneville.

Another long run tonite into Atlanta so I need to take a nap!

See ya'all tomorrow in Hot 'Lanta.

Again in Hattiesburg, MS

We met Phantom again in Hattiesberg, MS last night...both after intermission--first us then Phantom. We won it again by .7 point. The latest changes are being integrated and we are setting up for the final run into finals now. Murfreesboro tomorrow nite, then Atlanta. The kids are tired but still getting better.

For the last two nites, and again tomorrow nite, we have been staying at community colleges with dorm rooms. Its nice to get a semi-private room with its own shower for a change--hot water, and no bugs!!

The weather is actually cooling off a little today although the sun is very intense, the temps and humidity have been quite mild for this time of year here.

Another 250 miles tonite to Murfreesboro and a clinic for us at a community college there. Its is a widely attended show as is Atlanta. We are all looking forward to backing up our position with a good showing Friday and Saturday.

Will see many of you in Atlanta I'm sure.

Curt

From San Antonio

The coprs has had a busy and successful three days. First in Houston, then, Friday night in Dallas. :It has been a long time since Boston has beaten Phantom on the field--Friday nite we beat both Blue Stars and Phantom to post a third place finish behind Cadets and Crown. Last nite, in the Alamo Dome, the tables were turned back only slightly with a margin of only 5/100 of a point behind Phantom and .2 behind Blue Stars. It was a great first-dome performance for the kids and they had a very good show.

Today is a half-free day and the busses will drop the corps at San Antonio's Riverwalk for an afternoon of "chilling" in Texas. THe trucks and Souvies will deprt mid-afternoon for the 424mi run back to Louisiana.

Save for the score from one judge, we came within a nick of beating the reigning World Champions and the show continues to improve. IT will be an exciting final few weeks now up to August.

We have another layover in Hattiesburg prior to going to Murfreesburo and then Atlanta so stay tuned.

We are beginning to have minor mechanical failures with equipment now. THe generator is overheating in the food truck (think we have that fixed now) --some broken stands, a propane flow problem, and a turn light not working in the U3. These are kind of standard fare for mid tour but are more items on the list to get done during our "off" time!

More pix coming.

Its really gresat to see you all during the summer--this blog is becoming its own little group of followers--its very cool--thanks.

Curt

From Houston

Here are a few more pictures I have been taking. They are mostly from rehearsals prior to our rain-out in Orlando. Everyone was so disappointed with the rain-out although we did get to do a small stand-up show.

The weather is now getting hot--just like the show performances. Our scores have been consistently moving upward--even as some other corps have remained nearly constant. We seem to be causing quite a stir and the judges are enthusiastic about our show--what a refreshing change from years past!!

We have a show tonite in Houston and tomorrow near Dallas--those scores averaged will determine our position seeding for the big San Antonio show Saturday--the first real big regional.

Then its on to LA again, Tennessee, and then Atlanta. The way the kids are responding and working hard, all on the tour are excited by the possibilities for the second half of the season.

This tour has been more difficult to blog from since we are moving nearly every night. Sleep takes priority since I am driving a vehicle full of sleeping volunteers.

In general, our accomodations have been better this season than last although we still encounter cold showers and dirty facilities from time to time. I continue to be amazed by the gap between the "have's" and the have-not's" regarding school facilities. Unless one sees it first hand, it is impossible to understand.

Enjoy the pictures and I hope to see more of you all in Atlanta or sooner.

Curt

Quickie from Valdosta, GA

Fast update durinbg ESL:

New Pix.

See you all in Orlando.

Curt