Day 8 - Shelton, CT to Gorham, Maine

Today we left from Shelton, CT and drove to Gorham, Maine by way of Hampton Beach, NH. We stopped in Hampton Beach and everyone had some free time to check out the beach which is on the Atlantic Ocean, eat lunch and spend time on the boardwalk. From there we went to Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine. We played our concert at Cressey Road UMC in Gorham, Maine, home of one of our former associate pastors,  Rev. Handi Jo Dolloff-Holt. Dinner was delicious, the hosts were so friendly, and there was even a customized cake for dessert.

Hampton Beach

Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine

Notes from the Ringers:

The boardwalk in Hampton Beach was amazing! That was my favorite place we’ve been to so far. I walked down the entire beach and walked all the way back up through the little shops and stuff. They were having a giant sandcastle contest that was incredible. The water was a perfect temperature and the people at the beach were awesome. I had a couple random conversations with people. I got scallops for lunch and they were the best I’ve ever had. The suburbs around the beach were adorable! I would love to live in them. Josh Fox and I are already planning a return trip, because an hour and a half wasn’t enough time for this amazing place.  – Alec

              

The Portland Head Lighthouse was really cool. We walked along the trail on the rocks below the lighthouse. Sadly, a tour of the lighthouse museum cost money, so we didn’t get to go into the lighthouse but it was still really cool to see the lighthouse. The view of the ocean was beautiful, Maine is the prettiest state I have ever been to and I definitely want to go back some day.  –Shannon L.

I loved the boardwalk on Hampton beach, I spent the entire time walking around with Alec and Josh on the beach. There was some really yummy food and a really cool sand castle building contest. I also cut my foot on a rock and didn’t realize it until we had been walking in the sand for a while but we got that all fixed up and we went to a very pretty light house and I took a lot of pictures. Maine is so pretty and I can’t wait to come back and see more of it! –Bobbie

Day 7 - Bethlehem, PA to Shelton, CT

Today we drove from Bethlehem, PA to Shelton, CT. We were in four states today: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. There is a lot of traffic in this part of the world! We ended up at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. We didn't know that you had to have a permit to get into Connecticut beaches, but they showed the WBR some "Connecticut hospitality" and let us in for free, and even gave us a police escort through the park to get to the parking area for the bus. Seaside Park is on the Long Island Sound, so there was a nice flat beach with smooth water! The ringers got to swim, build sand castles, make ringers into sand sculptures, and even see LIVE horseshoe crabs! Tonight we played a concert at Huntington UMC in Shelton, CT where Tim's uncle is the pastor. The potluck dinner was outstanding, the concert went well and the ringers and chaperones got to stay with some very fun folks. Tomorrow we drive up the coast to Gorham, Maine for the next concert.

Notes from the ringers: 

The beach was so incredible! Let me tell you if you have never seen a horseshoe crab, you haven’t seen anything! Imagine a giant cockroach but on a beach. We even got a police escort to the beach! It was so great. The concert was really good too, (almost) no mistakes! –Mady

 

We went to the beach! It was so amazing to see the Atlantic Ocean. We got to see a bunch of horseshoe crabs! I got buried in the sand and turned into a mermaid! Then we played a concert at Tim’s Uncles church. It was a great concert! I now have pictures of a police car in every state we have been in. I’m excited to get home eventually but tour is so soooooo much fun! – Corey

Today we made it to the Atlantic Ocean! It was so much fun to have a day to just run around and have fun with friends. The water was not very cold, so swimming was enjoyable for much longer than I expected. A large group of us played with Chris Castleberry’s “waboba,” a small water proof bouncy ball. It was a lot of fun both in the water and on the beach where we used it to play a game of Jackpot. We also played some football, and Frisbee which all made for a very fun day. That night we played at the church where Tim’s uncle is pastor. The concert went very smoothly and we all gave 100% of our energy to the music! – Forrest

I had a great time with my non bells family. It is always nice to catch up and laugh together. Now I’m off to see my gram. - Tim

 

The police escort into the park was pretty cool!

The sunscreen patrol in action.

To see a live horseshoe crab in its natural environment was a first for most everyone.

Meet Don, our bus driver, sometimes known as Double D or the Master of the GPS.

Corey gets the thumbs up from sister Catherine for his new figure.

Tim and his Uncle Tim and cousins.

Day 6 - Chester Springs, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Today we drove from Chester Springs PA to Bethlehem, PA by way of Philadelphia and Plumsteadville, Pa, where the Malmark Bell Factory is.  On the way out of Chester Springs, we drove by Valley Forge. While in Philadelphia, we were able to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin's burial place, and Betsy Ross's home where she made American flags during the Revolutionary War.

We are lucky to have Trudy with us. She used to be a history teacher and knows all about these things.

This is the Christ Church cemetery where Benjamin Franklin is buried.

Betsy Ross tells us about making the American flag and how to cut the six-pointed star.

The Malmark Factory is one of three handbell factories in the world! One is in England and the other is about 20 minutes from the Malmark Factory. Many of our bells are Malmark bells or have been refurbished by Malmark. The ringers were SO EXCITED for this part of the trip! We got a personal tour of the factory and saw how the bells were made from start to finish.
Tomorrow we leave for a concert in Shelton, CT by way of the beach!

Notes from the Ringers:

Without a doubt, the best part of yesterday was going to the Malmark handbell factory. Watching the instruments we play be created before our very eyes was an amazing experience that I will never forget.-  Jon

Yesterday was amazing in every aspect. While exploring Philadelphia I was put into a group with Marit and Erik Sawyer. I had never really gotten to talk to the Sawyers before and getting to know some of our chaperones better was definitely my favorite part. Marit and I will definitely get along just fine! -Kay

Yesterday was amazing we got to see the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin’s grave, and the best part the Malmark handbell factory. That was probably the best part. It was really cool to see how much work and effort go into making our bells. Who knew  there was so many steps to it? All the chaperones were like “Have you even seen so many teenagers get so excited about bells or traveling cases?” But we were all so excited, it was awesome and probably my favorite part so far. -Alicia G.