Vermont

Greetings from the Green Mountain state!

We spent last night in Utica, New York, because we could see that we were approaching the Adirondack mountains and that there probably wouldn't be anywhere to stay until we actually reached Vermont.  It's a good thing we payed attention to the map because it was right on!  Today's drive was through those mountains and aside from the occasional gas station, there was nothing.  What beautiful mountains and lakes though!

We arrived in South Burlington, Vermont.  The church was all set for our arrival:

So, we got everything set up.  Now, in the past, Paula and I used to do month-long runs with the show at Parky's Farm in Cincinnati, and we still do that in October at the Cincinnati Zoo.  We always introduced the new material in those shows in October, and we got really comfortable with it by doing it several times each night, over and over.  By the end of the run it's easy!  Well, even though we're quite familiar with most of what we're doing out here on the road (and already very comfortable with it), we've done it so many times now that this show has become second nature.  We could just about do it with our eyes closed!  So, that makes life easy when every venue is different.  Some have a gigantic stage, some have a smaller stage, some have a large area that we can curtain off for backstage, some have none at all and we curtain off part of the actual stage itself (I say every day that I don't know how we ever lived without this new backdrop system- it can be adjusted to any size, shape, or angle).  Sometimes we are entering from the left and sometimes from the right (makes a huge difference).  No two spots have been the same but honestly that's one of the fun parts!

The show went very well.  The folks in Vermont know how to have a great time!

Afterwards, we went for dinner.  We always like to find a local favorite (because, why not?) and we discovered a place listed as "Al's French Fries".  Seriously, how on earth could you go anywhere else?  Turns out, they have ice cream as well.  Bonus!

We had a good meal and came back to our home for the night.  Pastor Chuck kindly gave us the key to a house next to the church, and said "It's yours for the night"!  Amazing!  It's truly incredible how generous people have been to us.  I have to say again, DO NOT believe what the media says about the folks around you.  They are wrong and only like to print the things that sell newspapers.

So, today it's on to New Hampshire.  Looks beautiful in the photos- can't wait to see it!