Traveling with a Gazillion Music Students
You have not REALLY traveled until you have gone on a trip with 160 music students (Band or Choir) and their parents! We have been traveling with students since 1980. We have taken students to Vancouver, British Columbia. Now, that might not sound like anything special. But, we were teaching in Salt Lake City, Utah at the time and we took the Choir, the Band, and the Orchestra! We had nearly 300 students and parents with us. We traveled by luxury coach and we had an incredible time.
We have taken students to Bellingham, Ellensburg, Yakima, Spokane, Moscow (ID), Portland, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. We have also traveled with students internationally, taking them to Vancouver and Victoria, B.C. and Beijing & Tangshan, China. Our travels with students have been extensive and exciting! There is nothing like introducing a neophyte traveler to new and exotic places. And even though many of us may not find Ellensburg exotic - if you have never been off of the Olympic Peninsula - Ellensburg is a completely new planet!
Personal Travel
In my “before Doug” life, I was fortunate to go on a U.S.O. tour. I played the piano and sang in a U.S.O. show that traveled throughout Japan (including Okinawa), Korea, Midway Island, Enewetak (an atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean), and Hawaii. I will be writing about this tour in a subsequent blog - but suffice to say - THIS trip started it all for me. THIS trip made me want to travel more, THIS trip made me want to experience more, THIS trip made me want to DO more!
Also, during my “Before Doug” life, I traveled to Taiwan and Hong Kong after my first year of public school teaching. I originally went to teach English. I thought that this could be a great way to work on my teaching skills and to see more of the world. However, I never taught a word of English. Instead, I performed in a piano lounge. Hmmmm......Another Blog - wait for it!
Long before Doug met the love of his life, he and his family traveled the Al-Can Highway several times. Most of this travel was done in a motor home. They fished and camped as they traveled from Alaska to the lower 48 and back again. This was LONG before it was paved. He went to Washington D.C. with his high school band and at the age of 18, Doug traveled to Europe with the Northern Utah Honor Band. He was the Band Manager, ensuring that all equipment was loaded and unloaded at the correct times. Ironically, that is what Doug continues to do to this day!
So, coming into our marriage, we both had been bit by the travel bug. I think we still have marks from those bites! Why don't you come along with us as we lead the way on a journey through travel, food, and wine! Next stop: Boutique Hotels!
