TWBR TOUR BLOG: The Wesley Bell Ringer 2018 Summer Bell Tour

Before today's blog - The Wesley Bell Ringers & chaperones would like to thank whoever was so kind to send the box of treats from Costco without a "from" inside or outside the box. The box showed up in Mitchell SD after the choir left & due to the trip Mandy & Gina took back SD to pick up the bell box left behind, the box was brought as well & was very appreciated by all. A silver lining to this adventure indeed.

Every year one of the most important goals during the summer tour is to find an attraction, place, or experience which Ed has never seen or done & today the goal was met! As The Wesley Bell Ringers traveled from Iowa to Illinois, an attraction called They Voyage Home Museum, The Future birth site of Captain Kirk & a very special Star Trek museum. After more than 50 years of summer tours, The Voyage Home Museum was a place that Ed had never visited before. Mission accomplished! The Trekkie's & non Trekkie's of the group enjoyed the brief site almost as much as the couple who runs this unique establishment.

As the drive to Rockford was shorter than expected, a quick side trip to Davenport Iowa to a lovely park & botanical garden gave us all the opportunity to stretch our legs & spend some time with nature before hitting the big city of Chicago on Wednesday.

Tonight's concert was at the Second First Church of Rockford Ill & was the choirs first concert this tour at a downtown location. The First part of the church dates back to the late 1800 time period & was a pleasure to play in. As The Second First Church currently has 5 bell choirs, the audience was filled with local hand bell enthusiasts as well as some who traveled more than two hours to watch The Wesley Bell Ringers perform. Additionally tonight we had two special guests, family of Diego. The Wesley's love playing for family. Between thinking of a day off tomorrow in Chicago & playing for the largest crowd (more than 100) yet, the Wesley's were amazing.