Day Nine – Kenilworth OR to Lakewood WA - After the wonderful service in Kenilworth we stopped at Cartlandia, a gathering of food carts in Portland that includes Voodoo doughnuts.  We had another fun stop planned but ran into traffic problems on our way to Lakewood Washington.  A two hour drive turned into four hours on the bus.  The kids were troopers and after arriving at the church an hour late, and a quick bathroom break, they set up in record time.  The concert was great and everyone collapsed into their host’s beds again in record time.  Former Ringers Jim and Jeanine O’Rourke (their Mom Bev was our host), Zack Fox and Kurt Osojnak were in attendance.  

Day Ten – Lakewood WA to Port Townsend WA - This was our chance to get into Seattle.  We started at the Experience Music Project – a very cool and interactive modern museum next to the Space Needle.  Later we took the monorail into Pike Place market for lunch and then caught a ferry to Bainbridge Island and from there drove up to Port Townsend.  Port Townsend is a cute little sea coast town and we wish we could have spent more time there.  The concert was terrific and the kids earned a couple of days off.  Bobbie’s brother and former ringer Mike Jacobsen came to the concert.

Now it’s off to Canada.  Your next update will come on Thursday when we are back in the US of A.

Reflections from Ringers:

This being my 4^th tour I am definitely experienced and know what to expect. I was really excited for this tour because I love the west coast, it is so beautiful and the weather is amazing. I have loved all of the places we have been to but my favorite has got to be when we explored downtown Portland. Although the weather was a little less than ideal it was still very fun to go to the markets. I love Powells book store, I was really happy because I brought three new books to keep me busy on bus days. So far all these tour adventures have been fun and I’m excited for more to come.

Shannon Loveday

Tour is going amazingly! Being one that is constantly seeking adventure, I loved our time in Santa Cruz along the boardwalk. There were tons of fun rides and rollercoasters which are my favorite! I just wish we had more time so I could have ridden all of them! There was also amazing (and very bad for you) food there. I had a footlong corndog and deep fried oreos. Definitely worth trying! I cannot wait to see where else we will go on tour and what other crazy things it has in store for us.

Mady Roberts

The coolest host home I’ve stayed in is with Susan Springer. She was the 11^th bell ringer of the Wesley Bell Ringers, which was their second year! – Holden Regnier

The funniest thing was when we went to Portland I told myself I wouldn’t spend any of my money and I would just use it on lunch, instead I wound up buying four books at Powell’s book store. Funny how life works! –Katya Wahl

We love each other, and tour wouldn’t happen without a single one of us, or a single one of our fans at our home church, and churches we have visited and will soon to be visiting. I am having a wonderful time and I couldn’t be more grateful for my parents, and all those who have supported me on this trip. –Peachy Neeld

P.S. May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace –Peachy Neeld