Day 1: North to Louisville

Well folks this is the first post of the 50th anniversary of the Grand Western Tour.  One would think this post should be prophetic, witty, and/or an instant classic.  Perhaps we can draw our trip's inspiration from a famous quote by Norton Juster:

"The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between, 

and they took great pleasure in doing just that."

Our journey has began and so has the fun.  Driving through the foothills of North Carolina and Virginia, the crew seems to be unraveling their nerves and the chatter increases.  On the bus is a mixture of sleepy and cherry-eyed faces.  Of course the teenagers are not used to waking up this early but that will change throughout the trip!

This morning's departure was bitter-sweet for some, as the crew left their parents for a new summer family. Clarence (the bus driver and perhaps most important trip member) provided the comedic relief and eased the tension of the young adults.  Glenn (the director) provided the stoic, experienced attitude to help the trip start off without a hitch.  Newcomers Amber and Molly (female chaperones) tried to contain their excitement as they checked in the crew and  provided unequivocal optimism!  Me on the other hand (Jeffrey), am the brute of the crew providing the necessary muscles needed to maneuver the rather large, heavy suitcases into the bottom of the bus.  What the guys do not know is that their turn is coming soon to load the bus daily! The girls will have it easier as they will just have to bring their bags to the bus and hop on.  Chivalry still exists!

So far in our 2014 Grand Western Tour story you have met the elder characters of the crew.  With future endeavors, the younger crew will be featured and stories will be shared!  As we head to Louisville to see the famous Churchill Downs with a few stops, including a boxed lunch in Kentucky, the crew bewilders the events to come.  Stay tuned to the Grand Western Tour blog for updates, stories, more character development, and to read about the greatest trip 57 individuals will have in their life!