Patrick Online

Almost Home

2008-03-25T18:00:00.001-05:00

We are on the basin bridge. We should be at LHS by 6:45. Although lots of the students on our bus are sick they were extremely well behaved. The bus rides were not nearly as bad as I feared. So this will be the last post. We had a great trip and have lots of great memories!

Last Leg

2008-03-25T15:24:00.001-05:00

We're done with lunch and back on the road. The students will be calling home when we get to Baton Rouge and we have a good idea of when we will be arriving at LHS.

Turtle Creek Mall

2008-03-25T13:40:00.001-05:00

Turtle Creek Mall for lunch then only three and a half hours to home!

Meridian, MS

2008-03-25T11:41:00.001-05:00

We are stopped in Meridan for fuel and a driver change. We will be stopping in Hattiesburg for lunch.

Breakfast in Birmingham

2008-03-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

We are stopped in Birmingham, AL for breakfast. We seem to be making pretty good time. I'll post again when we stop for lunch.

Morning in Alabama

2008-03-25T06:57:00.001-05:00

We are approaching Gadsden, AL this mornimg. It sounds like most of the students on my bus are still asleep. We are going to stop for breakfast in an hour or so.

Ronald Raegan Building

2008-03-24T16:28:00.001-05:00

(forgot the photo)

Ronald Raegan Building

2008-03-24T16:25:00.000-05:00

We are at the RR building for supper. There is a large food court in the building. The next post will be from the road.

U.S. Capital

2008-03-24T13:16:00.001-05:00

We arrived at the mall. We will meet back at the Washington Monument at 5. We will eat in the Ronald Raegan building then depart for home.

Kennedy Grave

2008-03-24T11:40:00.001-05:00

Short stop at Arlington Cemetary. We saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknowns. Then we visited the Kennedy grave site. Now we're off to the mall area. The students will have an opportunity to visit the musems.

Departing DC

2008-03-24T07:06:00.001-05:00

We had a good night's sleep. The students were able to order pizza last night wheb we returned to the hotel. Today we are going to a local Denny's in shifts for breakfast. Then on for a day of sightseeing.

Jefferson Memorial

2008-03-23T20:23:00.001-05:00

We saw the WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Jefferson memorials. Very moving. Last stop, supper.

We Made It

2008-03-23T17:31:00.001-05:00

We're in the hotel in DC. It is the Hamilton Garden Inn. Seems to be a really nice smaller hotel. We are loading the busses again in 10 minutes to see some sites.

Approaching Baltimore

2008-03-23T15:45:00.001-05:00

Our difficulties finding lunch has put us a little behind schedule. We are about to pass through Baltimore, MD. I think the students are enjoying the down time after our (very) full schedule in NY.

Left New York

2008-03-23T13:05:00.001-05:00

We have left NY and are on the road to DC. The students were great this morning and we were able to leave right on time. We are currently passing through Delaware. Unfortunately our scheduled lunch stop (a mall) was closed for Easter. I suppose the folks on bus 1 are scrambling for a backup plan.

Mass at St. Patrick's

2008-03-23T07:55:00.001-05:00

We went to 7am mass at St. Patrick's cathedral. The church is huge and beautiful. The mass was very quick, only about 45 minutes. From what I understand theyhave masses on the hour every hour Easter morning until the large high mass. We load the busses at 10:30 and then it's off to D.C.

Manhatten Skyline

2008-03-22T21:01:00.001-05:00

All Aboard

2008-03-22T19:04:00.001-05:00

We're off on the cruise. They are serving the food now with dancing to follow.

Awesome!

2008-03-22T16:13:00.001-05:00

The Wind Ensemble performance was also spectacular. The audience enjoyed all 3 pieces. The performers seemed to be beaming. Congrations to one and all!! Now, on to the cruise.

Symphonic Band was Great

2008-03-22T14:06:00.001-05:00

The Symphonic Band sounded great. They took the stage and warmed up and the Concert Band members who are on the trip joined them for one selection. The Symponic Band then performed ther 3 selections. The sound in here is incredible. Their are quite a few people in the audience and they gave a nice standing ovation. Lots of big smiles on stage. Wind Ensemble performs at 4:30.

Prepping for Carnegie

2008-03-22T12:10:00.001-05:00

The park was nice. Lots of the students in the group with Rita and I road the carousel. We are gathering now for the bus ride over to Carnegie. The students seem really excited. After that it ies straight to the dinner cruise.

Off to Centeal Park

2008-03-22T07:18:00.001-05:00

We will be spending a couple of hours in Central Park this morning. Then back to the hotel for a couple of hours to prepare for the show.

Back at Hotel

2008-03-21T21:30:00.001-05:00

We are back in the hotel. The rest of the groups are getting in too. Times Square was great. 11pm meeting then off to bed. 9am wakeup call tomorrow for the big day!!

Times Square

2008-03-21T18:35:00.001-05:00

We are in Times Square for a little window shopping and a bite to eat. 11pm meeting back at the hotel.

Chinatown

2008-03-21T15:20:00.001-05:00

We are in Chinatown for a bit of shopping. Empire State Bldg and Times Square tonight. Weather us nice: a bit cold, especially in the wind (and especially for this cajun).

Lunch at McDonald's

2008-03-21T13:14:00.001-05:00

Have you ever been in a McDonald's with a live pianist? Well we ate lunch at one today in the financial district. We walked through Battery Park, saw the state of liberty and ellis island (from a distance). Now its on to the wtc, brooklyn bridge and chinatown.

Subway Ride 1

2008-03-21T11:25:00.001-05:00

Waiting for the subway at the start of our city tour.

Morning Practice

2008-03-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

Symphonic band practicing in the hotel.

Morning Practice

2008-03-21T07:47:00.001-05:00

Wakeup call was at 8am this morning. Practices this morning then the walking tour.

Late Night Snack

2008-03-20T23:40:00.001-05:00

The Phantom of the Opera was fantastic! We walked in right at curtain time (it was a quick 12 block walk from the hotel). And now we're at a deli across the street from the hotel grabbing a bite to eat. More tomorrow from our walking tour.

New York Skyline

2008-03-20T15:59:00.002-05:00

We are approaching the Lincoln Tunnel. We can see the city skyline. This will be the last post until after the show.

Steel Country

2008-03-20T15:00:00.001-05:00

Still on the road passing through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Not too much longer now.

Steel Country

2008-03-20T14:59:00.001-05:00

Still on the road passing through Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Not too much longer now.

Change of Plans

2008-03-20T12:25:00.001-05:00

Mr. Walker called to check on our NY plans and was given some interesting news. Our broadway show tickets have all been booked for this evening rather than tomorrow. So we are going to go straight into NY after our fuel stop. The good news is that our travel agent is trying to set up somw other outing for us tomorrow night. Rolling with the changes.....

Morning on Bus 2

2008-03-20T10:19:00.001-05:00

Ready to greet another day! (almost)

West Virginia

2008-03-20T10:14:00.001-05:00

We just crossed into West Virginia on I81. Breakfast stop was a little longer than planned. We will be stopping for fuel shortly.

Staunton, VA

2008-03-20T06:54:00.001-05:00

The sun is rising and so are we. After a (surprisingly) good night's sleep and a long night for our drivers we are now on I81 in Staunton, VA. We should be stopping for breakfast soon.

Driver Change and Fuel Stop

2008-03-19T21:34:00.002-05:00

We are stopped in Gadsden, Alabama for a driver change and a fuel stop. I am tapped in to the wireless Internet connection at the truck stop. I am on bus 2 and we are having a very pleasant trip. We have watched three movies so far. Probably one more before we call it a night.

This will be my last post for tonight. Here's hoping for 6-8 hours of sleep.....

University Mall, Tuscaloosa

2008-03-19T18:30:00.001-05:00

Stopping for supper at University Mall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We are scheduled to be back on the roqd at 7:30.

Hattiesburg, MS

2008-03-19T15:45:00.001-05:00

Short stop in Hattiesburg for one of our drivers. Next stop: Tuscaloosa for supper.

On the road

2008-03-19T11:22:00.001-05:00

All loaded up and on the road!!

LHS Mighty Lion Band goes to Carnegie Hall

2008-03-16T22:28:00.001-05:00

From Wednesday, March 19th to Tuesday March 25th I will be accompanying the LHS Mighty Lion Band on their trip to New York where they will be performing at Carnegie Hall. I will be blogging from around the city so check in daily for updates.