Alabama's show was fun- and it was only the start of our day!
Our Alabama show was scheduled to start at 1 P.M. Those early shows are rare, but they're good because we're finished sooner, and so we can drive on to the next state without having to arrive in the middle of the night. Today's show was at a place called "Mission of Hope". It's a Christian drug and alcohol rehab place. Over the years, we've performed at lots of these facilities (one already on this tour) but what really struck me about this one is that they are a no-nonsense organization. They have very strict rules and they tell it like it is. If someone is serious about getting help, this would be the place.
When we arrived, there were several guys ready to help us load in. Even though there were stairs to get in (yuck!), all I had to do was point at a big case and these guys took it inside the venue. This has to be one of the easiest load-ins ever!
The show itself was awesome. We really had fun with these folks. They were an incredibly receptive audience and the message of the show was very well received.
Our Alabama show was scheduled to start at 1 P.M. Those early shows are rare, but they're good because we're finished sooner, and so we can drive on to the next state without having to arrive in the middle of the night. Today's show was at a place called "Mission of Hope". It's a Christian drug and alcohol rehab place. Over the years, we've performed at lots of these facilities (one already on this tour) but what really struck me about this one is that they are a no-nonsense organization. They have very strict rules and they tell it like it is. If someone is serious about getting help, this would be the place.
When we arrived, there were several guys ready to help us load in. Even though there were stairs to get in (yuck!), all I had to do was point at a big case and these guys took it inside the venue. This has to be one of the easiest load-ins ever!
The show itself was awesome. We really had fun with these folks. They were an incredibly receptive audience and the message of the show was very well received.
After the show, the load-out was just as quick. In fact, it took us longer to pack the props inside the cases than it took these guys to load our trailer. Thanks again to all the help and thanks to Pastor Jim!
As we drove toward Mississippi, we saw this:
As we drove toward Mississippi, we saw this:
I'm fairly sure that's a rail car stacked atop two trailers. Ingenuity at it's finest!
We drove on into Mississippi. Along the way we passed this turtle and moved him safely off the road:
We drove on into Mississippi. Along the way we passed this turtle and moved him safely off the road:
Here's Silas showing his best 'turtle neck". Seriously, this was the luckiest turtle that has ever lived. When we found him, he was way out onto a 65 MPH highway. We passed over top of him, as did about twelve other cars before I could get him off the road!
We made a stop at a Walmart to grab some things we've seriously needed for a while now. Have you ever been inside Walmart for more than an hour? We were this time! Honestly, I can't imagine how we ever lived without this place!
We also took this picture. Does anyone understand the reference? If so, mention it in the comments section. Major coolness points to anyone who gets it!
We made a stop at a Walmart to grab some things we've seriously needed for a while now. Have you ever been inside Walmart for more than an hour? We were this time! Honestly, I can't imagine how we ever lived without this place!
We also took this picture. Does anyone understand the reference? If so, mention it in the comments section. Major coolness points to anyone who gets it!
We've made it a point to try and see the ocean every chance we get. We found an incredible beach here in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Look at these crabs! The edge of the coast was lined with rocks. Everywhere you looked there were crabs scuttling across the sand. In this one spot alone, there had to be more than 4 or 5 hundred of them.

Some were tiny. Look at this little guy!
I know I've said it over and over but this cross country adventure is a blessing like we've never experienced before. Here we are, on another beach, with different yet amazing scenery, the kids are having a blast playing in the sand, and we're watching animals that we don't have in Cincinnati. This is so cool! As we headed back to the Jeep, the sight of the moon reflecting on the ocean was quite a sight:
This truly a beautiful area of the nation.
Tonight we're staying in a Holiday Inn. It's a VERY modern hotel. I think our room is brand new- in fact, Paula says it smells like Home Depot. That's fine with us! On the way to pick up our pizza for dinner, I took this shot- doesn't it look like a photo from one of their postcards?
Tonight we're staying in a Holiday Inn. It's a VERY modern hotel. I think our room is brand new- in fact, Paula says it smells like Home Depot. That's fine with us! On the way to pick up our pizza for dinner, I took this shot- doesn't it look like a photo from one of their postcards?
We perform tomorrow here in Mississippi. This is another state that we can check off the list, both for visiting and performing. We're still having as much fun (more, actually) as when we began!