NW Tour/Vacation/Bluegrass Festival July 8 - 18, 2010

We were fortunate to be able to take a short tour up through the NW... Singing and visiting with family and friends. We had a GREAT time and a crazy time. I have tried to document what I could remember... Up to the day we headed to MT... That will be another post.

Day One - July 8, 2010
We left town late in the afternoon, around 5pm. We met Paul and Bonieta at the QT gas station to fill up and get some drinks… And off we went. We were chugging right along… Our goal was to make it through LA so we didn’t have to deal with the morning traffic. That did not happen. Somewhere in CA the motor home, that Paul and Bonieta were driving, just decided to die. Paul coasted to the side of the road and he and Colin got out, to try to figure out was going on. They came up with different reasons of why it would have lost power. After several minutes, Paul tried to start the Mo and it started, so we were on our way again. That ended up happening several more times as we tried to get down the road. After one of our stops, someone realized that the freezer was not working, so everyone started consuming as many fudge bars and ice cream bars as they could, before they all melted. Our chances of making it through LA this night were looking pretty dim. As we were arriving close to the Chiriaco Summit I was beginning to feel some anxiety about my kids riding in the motor home while going down the other side of this mountain… I was concerned that if the Mo lost power, they would have no brakes and my kids were in there. The Mo lost power again before we reached the summit. I sent Jacob up to the Mo to get the kids to come get in the van with us. As he was walking to the Mo, he heard some noises in the bush, but couldn’t see anything in the dark. He opened the door to the Mo and started herding the kids out… Tommy was first. As he was standing there waiting for the rest of the kids, Tommy starts yelling, “SNAKE! SNAKE!” Jacob looks and there was a rattle snake slithering into the bush. He grabs Tommy and they jump back into the Mo… So, they end up riding in the Mo down the other side of the mountain… I prayed the whole way. Thank you Jesus, for your protection! We finally were able to make it to Indio, CA where we left Paul and Bonieta at a Truck Stop and we went and found a Motel. And this was the first day of our great adventure to the North West.

Day Two - July 9, 2010
After waiting for what seemed like hours and hours, a mechanic finally showed up to take a look at the Mo. One of the things Colin thought was wrong with it was the fuel pump… But what does he know, he’s not a mechanic. These two slimy guys show up and start looking at the Mo and long story, short they say we need to get it to their shop. We got it over there and Colin and I took Paul to go pick up a rental car while Bonieta and some of the kids started packing up their stuff they needed to take along. There was no way the Mo would be fixed in time, to take it the rest of the way. When we got back, with the car, we started throwing their stuff in the car and packing as much stuff form their fridge into our cooler. They were packed to the ceiling and so were we. We drove about 30 minutes down the road and stopped to get a bite to eat. After ordering and going to pay I realized that I had not received my credit card nor my driver’s license back from the motel. Panic set in… That was Grandma’s card… She was going to REALLY panic. She never lets her card out of her sight and now I had left it with strangers at the motel. I began making the phone calls to locate it and make arrangements for them to FedEx it to Lori’s house. What a nightmare. Since we didn’t want to deal with LA traffic, Paul knew of a way around LA. While on this little detour we missed our exit. There were no more exits to turn around so we went WAY out of the way… Adding more time and mileage to our trip. I didn’t even want to look at a map to see how far we had gone. We ended up staying the night in Santa Nella, CA. We rented three rooms… Jacob and Philip got a room to their self, Sara and Megan stayed with Grandma and Tommy stayed with us, and Duke.

Day Three - July 10, 2010
When we got up Saturday morning, Colin went to wake up his folks, since for some reason their phone in the room was not working (They asked Colin, before they went to bed, to wake them up in the morning) Anyway, when Colin came back from waking them up he told me that they said they were going to go on because they could travel faster without us and they wanted to make it to the Oyster Fry at Bonieta’s cousin's house. We had left early enough to get them to their Oyster Fry and us to Lyndi and Devin’s house with plenty of time to visit. But it just didn't work out the way we had planned. We made it to Springfield, OR in time to have dinner with Lyndi and Devin and Devin’s mom. We went to the Sizzler and enjoyed some good food and fellowship. The kids went home with Devin and Lyndi. Colin, Grandma and I went to get a room at Motel 6. Lyndi and Devin have a cat, so we couldn’t stay with them. When we had packed, we had “Motel” suitcases and the rest of our stuff was in bigger bags in the trailer. I had told the kids that we wouldn’t get our big bags out until we unpacked the sound equipment at our first singing in Centralia. When we got to our room, after dinner, and the kids had gone on to the Cabales home, Grandma says she needs her big bag. I told her that we would unpack it tomorrow when we got to Centralia. She insisted that she needed that bag because it had her Sunday clothes in it. She asked me if I was going to dress in my Sunday clothes in the morning and I said “No, I was going to change when I got there”… She continued to insist that we get her bag. Colin had to unpack most of the trailer, including the stand up bass that was right on top, to find her bag. After getting it out for her and repacking the trailer, we were on our way into the motel and she says, “I guess I could have waited until tomorrow”.

I know I did not pray for patience but this was the trip of all trips to begin that journey. :-0 It was FUN!

Day Four - July 11, 2010
We got up early Sunday morning and went to the Cabales home. We ate some donuts for breakfast and loaded up the family. Devin and Lyndi decided to tag along and we were very happy they did. While driving through Portland, Jacob decided he needed to buy some guitar strings, so the Cabales van load (which included Devin, Lyndi, Jacob, Philip and Sara) went to Old Time Music in Portland and we drove on to Centralia. When we were almost to Don Keene’s house (Bonieta’s cousin) Colin talked to his dad and he said come straight to the house lunch is ready for you… We were starving. When we got there… Where’s the food? They were jamming in the backyard with old friends and there was no food waiting for us... So we left and went to Bugerville USA with Colin’s sister, Patti and the Cabales van load met up with us there. After eating we headed back to Don’s house. Paul was ready to go to the church and get set up for our singing scheduled or that night… We got to the church and started unloading and setting up the sound system. While setting up we got a call, telling us that Marcia Brooks was appointed to be our new pastor. Boy, were we shocked! We had no idea. This will be something new for us. After we were all set up and did a sound check we went back to our motel room, that we had rented, and changed our clothes... Then back to the Centralia Christian Church for our singing. We had a great night... Great crowd and saw some old friends.

We were able to talk Devin and Lyndi into staying the night and we were glad to be able to spend some more time with them. Jacob and Philip stayed in their room and there were some crazy things that went on, as they usually do when the Shuler's and the Cabales' get together.

And now I will share some pictures with you...

After we left Centralia, we headed towards Burlington

to the McLeod house... We would spend the next three

days with them. We HAD to stop in Mt. Vernon...

Our first Taco Time stop of the trip.

YUM!

At our singing, in Centralia, we had these two handsome men

come to see us. Rick and Lee Bear have known the

Shuler's and Wilda's for years. I had a crush on them

when I was about 7.

At the McLeod's house we had a great time,

as usual... You can't help but have fun

when you get this Shuler bunch together.

Lots of music...

Ton's of food... Ken is a great cook and keeps us fed.

This night we were blessed to have the Doran family

join us. You can see Bro. Jacob D. back there

standing by Colin.

During the day, lots of Wii golf...
At night... Karaoke

Here is Grandma Bunny... The NON-animal lover.

A bunch of Shuler's in Darrington...

This was the drive from Burlington to Darrington...

You can't get much prettier scenery anywhere out side

of the North West... It always takes my breath away.

Skagit River

We were scheduled to sing at the Darrington Church of God of Prophecy

Sunday night after the Festival... Tommy was sick... He didn't get to sing.

Day 9 - 11 July 16 - 18, 2010

The next three days were spent at the Darrington Bluegrass Festival. We sang Friday morning and Saturday morning. What a blast!!! We had a great time and met new people and saw old friends.

Here is Sara with "Rhonda Vincent and the Rage".

Rhonda performing...

Here is the Navy Band... "Country Current".

Check out their schedule... If they are in your

town... Go see them!

This was a GREAT surprise! After walking off stage

and heading to the booth to sell a Cd to a new fan,

I run into this guy... Jim Fenwick.

I was so shocked and happy to see him...

His family and my family have known each other forever.

We grew up together... Hadn't seen him in 20+ years.

This is our new fan, from China. I don't remember

his name, even if I did, I probably wouldn't be able to

spell it. He met us after we sang and wanted to take

our picture. He was visiting from China with a group of

young people. He said when we sang, he felt something

move him... He invited us to come introduce Bluegrass

to China :-)

Here we are... Singing our little hearts out...

The guys singing, "More Pretty Girls than One".

Now who is this handsome Cowboy???

Mmmm, Mmmm. Mmmm!

Singing, "Softly and Tenderly"

If you want to see a plethora of photos, go see the band Face Book page... There's a bunch of them.

After the Festival and the singing Sunday night we headed back to the McLeod's to spend the night... We headed to Havre, MT to next morning...

Stay tuned for the on going journey...

Villa de Las Madrinas

We were invited to sing at the Villa de Las Madrina's

Sunday Social, in Scottsdale. This was their last big

get-together before the residents have to move out.

Because of the lack of funds they are having to

stop this program. These people are so sweet and

we enjoyed spending Sunday afternoon with them.

Here are some of the people that attended.

They would wander in and out as the program

was going on. Two other bands performed

before us.

The kids were a big hit, as always. Here they are

singing "Praise the Lord, I'm a Christian"

with the Hawaiian flare... Look close and

you'll notice Jacob playing his new ukulele.

Tommy singing "Fat Gal of Mine".

This was a BIG hit.
Here is Colin with one of the residents. This
gentleman really enjoyed the music. He was
so cute. He kept smiling and waving at us. He also
gave Megan a kiss on the cheek.
We had a fantastic time at the Villa. We were glad to
have Daniel Doerfler and Shane Stevenson
tag along with us too. It was a great day.

Picnic At Lakeview Park, Sun City, AZ

Grandma Bunny thought it would be a good idea

to go to the park, for a picnic... My mom and sister

are in town and she thought we could go to the

park since it is so nice outside... Plus the kids

wouldn't have to sit still in a restaurant.

Here is Aunt Jacki, Sara, Megan and Tommy.

Here is Sara, Tommy and Megan at the

top of the hill, looking down at us. It

really is a beautiful park.

But FYI... Don't go if you have kids...

Long story, short... I don't think they like kids.

This is a black swan across the lake.

Some of the critters at the park were...
A turtle...

...Ducks

... And several lizards.

Here's the family...

Grandma Bunny, Sara, Tommy,

Grandma Bobbie, Megan and Aunt Jacki.

We had a really nice day... For the most part.

We had a little squabble with the park lady...

But that's a whole long story.... That's why I

suggest to not go to this park if you have

young children...

Otherwise... It was a nice day.

Lake Havasu Bluegrass Festival 2010

We had a fantastic weekend at Havasu Landing

Bluegrass Festival... Even if half of the family

was under the weather...

This is a shot of Lake Havasu... When on

stage this is what you look out and see...

Here is a night shot...

Our first night was a cold one... The mobile home
we stayed in had a little trouble with the furnace...
It didn't work :-/ We woke up Friday morning
and it was 56 degrees... Us poor AZ people were
freezing... Here is Colin...
...And Tommy... Bundled up, in the living room,
trying to get warm before heading out for
the big day of music and fun.

Megan and Sara didn't even want to
get out of bed...

Neither did Philip...

Jacob stayed in the motor home with Grandma

and Papa so he was nice and toasty.

Here is practice time in the Mo...

Going over the set list...

Tommy going over his song... He wasn't feeling

good so his memory stunk! He couldn't remember

all of the words so we had to save that song

for a later date... It was fun hearing him

practice... He's a big ham!

Here is Waldo and Jacob... 3rd Generation

invited him to play a few songs with them.

Mark and Jacob.

Megan and Sara playing cards and marbles

with some of the folks in the hospitality tent.

You can see some others jamming in the background.

They will play music and games way into the night.

High Plains Traditions...From Colorado.

Gerri and Doug Elrick, from High Plains Traditions.

I had to take a picture with him and post it because

he reminded me of Darryl Clark.

Here is Sara and Dale Ann Bradley and "Flat" Shipley.

Chris Harris is hiding in the background.

Dale Ann is the three time IBMA female vocalist

of the year. She is a sweetie.

Dale Ann performing with her band...

Mark Phillips (Band leader from 3rd Generation) and Sara.

Again... Dale Ann Bradley and her band...And

Sara and "Flat" Shipley.

Chris Harris (Mandolin player for Dale Ann) and Sara.

Getting ready for our last set on Sunday...

Like father... Like son.

Gerri on Sunday morning...

Philip... Trying to get his contacts on and

looking at mom thinking... "Why are you

taking my picture... I'm a little busy"

Sara Beth looking beautiful as usual...

Devious Megan... Hoarding the box of Ritz crackers...

Megan again... I'm not sure what she's up too...

Tommy... Looking very suspicious...

The Love Birds on Valentine's Day.

On stage with "Flat" Shipley...

Ok...You're probably wondering..."Who is "Flat" Shipley"?

Dr. Shipley is Sara's Orthodontist and he is having

a contest. Sara has to take a paper cut-out of

Dr. Shipley everywhere she goes, until the end

of August. She has to keep pictures and a journal

of all of his travels and turn in the journal at the

end of August. Whoever has the best journal

wins a laptop computer... So... That is "Flat" Shipley

in Sara's hand. He has a cowboy hat on and he's

holding a Banjo.




And here you have it....

The Shuler Family Band!