Dani and Michelle (aka the twins) began their journey from their hometown of IN to Portland, OR. George who drove for more than 36 hrs from Canada picked up the twins around 9pm May 2nd. The drove continue to Seattle where George picked Up Tony. Tony also had a long journey from Alaska to Seatlle. The drive continued all night until they reached Spokane, morning of May 3. It was a long drive and Michelle who was having excruciating pain due to her wisdom tooth, and also Dani barely had enough sleep the previous night.
The Concert Tour Began with the Spokane Show that night May 3. The four, Tony, George, Dani and Michelle met me (Marie-France) at the Opera House. The audience at the Spokane Opera house were a bit reserved (maybe due to the fact that alcoholic bevereges were served at the concession stands), but the ladies received a standing ovation to their wonderful performance.
After the Concert. The four met me(Marie-France) and Jesse outside the Opera House near the buses. Due to the tight security and the fact that the ladies were pressed for time,a meeting with the ladies were not possible at that venue. But the journey has just began.
After the Spokane Show, the four checked out of the hotel. George and Tony took turns driving that night until they reached Mount Vernon (north of Seattle). Michelle had a painful night, but the next day they were able to get her into a dental surgeon who took care of the problem.
At the Seattle May 4 show, Tony and his friend Kim picked up Michael who flew in from California.
"In Seattle I got to talk to Kelvin for about 40 min before the show. He was outside by the busses and Michael, Kim and I approched him. We talked about a wide range of topics. I would have loved to have been able to talked to him more." said Tony. "I talked to several people in Seattle who knew me from the forum so that was cool that I was known to many in the audience." Tony added. They all enjoyed the show, especially Michelle.
Dani said that: "I think the Seattle show was just great. The crowd was very exuberant and you could tell that they were really excited to be there seeing the show."
"We were able to spend the following day resting and doing laundry while poor Michelle spent quiet time recovering and resting from days and days of pain. What a trooper. " according to George.
The next day, Saturday May 6, Tony, Dani, Michelle and George, drove up to Vancouver, BC to see the show. They had an interesting time crossing the border. After the Vancouver Show, the four had a wonderful treat! They were able to meet with the ladies after the show.
"We spent some time with the girls in Vancouver and it was wonderful to see them again. You could tell they were more or less quite exhausted, but you would never be able to tell if you didn't have a clue about their grueling travel in the first place. Their spirits and smiles light up a room. I am so appreciative over all of them." said Dani.
"It was a short meeting ...about 7 to 10 min but it was fun to get to talk to them again. They are all great and Mairead complimented me on my shinny shoes and my suit." Tony said.
"As tired as they were after the second to last concert, they graciously and warm heartedly greeted us with open arms and hugs. Aside from my wonderful tour companions, I've never met such warm and friendly folk as the girls. As our time was so short it was hard to know which way to turn and who to speak with. But never once did they seem to try to rush through a conversation. They are the most amazing people you could ever meet. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to personally meet them." George added.
Still ecstatic with the previledge of meeting the ladies in Vancouver, Dani, George, Tony and Michelle drove that night back to Mt. Vernon to collect their luggage and continue to the last leg of their journey. They made it safely to Portland where they met with Jan and Josh. That day, May 7, was also Dani and Michelle's birthday.
"I met up with Jan in the morning for breakfast, but alas, poor Jan was feeling quite ill." Said George. "And then we met Josh as well for a brief luncheon before rushing off to get ready for the afternoon show. Danielle also was beginning to feel ill, but we all did manage to go to the concert.
Unfortunately, Jan and Danielle remained quite ill after the concert and we were not able to enjoy as much time together as we would liked to have had." George added.
Dani said that one of the worst moments was: "For myself, getting sick on the last two days in Portland...and having the most horrid tummy flu on my birthday!!!! It was just mad."
Tony also said that there was nothing negative about the trip except for the fact that some of them got sick.
As the journey ended, Dani, Michelle Tony and George all had a wonderful experience. It was a journey they will never forget.
"We all could appreciate our experiences on the road together for those few days in relation to what the girls have to go through over the course of 2 1/2 months. But I have to say, that despite everything, I would gladly do it again, just as long as it was with my most fantastic friends," said George.
And as Dani put it in her own words, "It was quite crazy but we made it out alive!"