Red Team rollin'

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. That's more like it. On the road with the Colts. No place I'd rather be.

Just back from a three-cities-in-four-days, extra-long weekend on the road with the 2006 Colts, and it's never felt so good to be so exhausted. Jody's still there being head cook, transitioning from a killer (in a good way) week by Lori and her all-star crew made up of Jim H., Penny, Larry, and Rob. Delora is on board with Jody and is going full speed already. Vicki showed up extra early this morning because we were so short on staff. Then Leeta (a local volunteer and the mom of one of our local Delhi hosts) showed up and our crew was really rolling. Pat was coming this afternoon in time to help with supper, Leeta promised to be back in time to serve, and the vis staff volunteered too. When the need arises, Colts respond.

Thank you all.

UW Platteville was beautiful and the people there were so helpful and friendly. I think the Colts will be happy to get back there for their big summer premier later this month. I thought it couldn't get any better.

Then we pulled in at Lancaster and were greeted by a great big drums corps hug by Bev Mattingly, mom of a former Colt and one of the corps' biggest boosters. There was a good turnout for the dog 'n' pony show. Bev said, "They're just my friends." She sure has a lot of friends. I hope she counts me among them. Thanks for a great couple of days, Bev.

Then we made our way down Highway 61, through Dubuque (past Washington Junior High, one of the winter homes of the Colts) and on to Delhi. Where we were greeted by John and Chrys -- band director, color guard instructor, and Colt Cadets staff members and parents. They literally opened all the doors of the school to us and made us feel at home. Colts people greeting Colts and more Colts people. The staff at the school at Delhi was so helpful. They were really busy getting school buses ready for inspection, but not too busy to reset breakers we blew and to make sure bathrooms had plenty of toliet paper. You can't get that kind of service even in places that you're paying to stay.

Only one problem, uh, inconvenience. I had to come home and go back to work.

Oh, you want to know about the corps? Go see for yourself. It's more fun that way.