ON CHOIR TOUR chapter 60

It wasn’t unusual years later to simply tell people I went on choir tour. Of course, I always had to give in and fess up. But it was fun while it lasted. I no longer have a copy of the tour schedule but we got as far north as Dawson Creek, BC and the obligatory photo of milepost “0” of the Alaskan Highway. We traveled into the Canadian Rockies for a view of what I expected Canada to really look like. We cut deep through the BC costal mountains for a stop at Prince George. I fell in love with the Okanagan and the fruit trees and azure colored lakes before going on to Vancouver and Victoria for the almost grand finale. It was a spectacular trip. My black and white brownie didn’t do justice so I bought dozens of postcards to show my family and Al what I had seen.

There were four or five cars in the caravan. I’m not sure if it was always this way, but my car was often at the end of the line. At times we made a quick stop as the others rolled on and then rushed to catch up. I know we got caught at least once.

The tour began in the front circle of the college with a photo of my carload. Left to right: Diane, David, Ruth, Mel, Floyd and me. I have no memory of those hats or whether the whole choir had them or just our car. I do know I have other pictures with more of the group wearing them. I do remember the sunglasses. The group is covering up my cool car.

Floyd had been Al’s roommate at school and mine of the tour. In the ‘60’s host homes put us in all kinds of rooms and beds. Sharing a bed, was the norm and we had some strange ones, and several not so comfortable ones. I believe it was in Kamloops that the bed sagged so bad we have no choice but to brace ourselves back to back. That wasn't working. The room was very small, but somehow we wiggled the mattress onto the floor so we could sleep. I think this was the same home where the widowed German lady had prepared the biggest breakfast I had ever seen. She tricked us. When we arrived there were various breads including sweet rolls, cheese, coffee, tea and juice on the table. I think we both expected this to be the sum total of breakfast so we ate like it was the end. That was a big mistake. That was only the first course of more courses than I could not imagine that anyone would make that much food for two boys. It would have feed the entire choir with food left over. Still to come was pancakes and maybe even waffles, eggs, various breakfast meats, cereal (not necessarily in that order) and with each new delivery was the encouragement to, “Eat, you’re growing boys.” I blame my size today directly on that woman. Just joking.

Is not necessarily an accurate representation 

of the breakfast we were served. but close.

I not only enjoyed Floyd as my roommate, but the car was a great group with lots of laughter and plenty of stories. The day after each stop I got the low down on the funny things that happened the night before. Sometimes I was one of those.

The Teows sisters (Elfreida and Elsie) had been appointed to New Guinea--West Irian.  They were to leave immediately and had no time to raise any prayer support.  The college put together a pictorial presentation to support then and sent it on the choir tours.  My claim to fame was that I ran the projector.  At the end of each slide, a bell rang so I would know to advance to the next slide. I am told I would sit with one arm holding up my head--leaning on the projector stand. Franklin and John would watch from the choir  where they decided that it would be fun to find one of those bells and ring it at off times so that I would get all mixed up. Neither had the money so it never happened. Yeah!

I sat through several concerts. I did enjoy the choir and their music, but it wasn’t long until I knew the music as well as they did and sang along (to myself usually outside when not doing my job).

Tour was a great experience for me.