Day 11 - June 16 - Slatersville, RI to Ridgefield, CT

 

After spending the night in the Slatersville Congregational Church and being treated to a leisurely pancake breakfast, we headed off to Ridgefield, CT without no clear idea of what we would do along the way.  At the suggestion of the Slatersville pastor's wife we stopped in the town of Old Wethersfield, CT where we spent several very relaxing hours visiting shops, museums and restaurants. All in all, it was a very relaxing day.

The First Congregational Church in Ridgefield, CT was, as the pictures show, another very beautiful church.  The choir played a great concert, perhaps inspired by the knowledge they would be in host homes with showers and real beds!

C.P. and his namesake food establishment.

She looks pretty innocent!

Hmmm!

Jacob and Terry discover mirrors.

We are nearing the end of the concert portion of the tour, and the ringers who will play their final concert in the next few days are beginning to consider what it has all meant.  In her own words, here are Marysia's thoughts.

Looking back on the last six years, I'm incredibly grateful for all the friends I've made, memories shared, challenges overcome, and new places traveled. WBR has truly changed my life and I'm so sad to be leaving. This year, I've gotten to know so many new, wonderful ringers ringers who have so much to look forward to. I'm excited to hear them play and see them grow in the coming years; I wish all of them the best.

If I had to give one piece of advice to future (and returning) Wesleys, I would say this: prioritize making friendships and having fun with your fellow ringers. We're all guilty of sitting on our phones and keeping to ourselves; it's those moments when we do something together like playing JackBox on the bus, destroying front of the bus in trivia, spending the day with someone you hardly know, or exploring a seemingly boring town instead of sitting in a hotel room that really stick with you and end up being the most fun.

It is so hard to say goodbye to something that has been such a huge part of my life for so long, but I am  leaving with lifelong friendships that I will treasure forever. Thank you to everyone who has made my in this choir so special - especially Molly, CP, Anna, and Katie. I'll miss you all!