Table Rock

The last week (and a bit more), I have been on my Army National Guard Active Training. Basically for our band that means traveling the state and performing concerts. However, I think the very best thing we did all week was PT at Table Rock. It ended up being about 5 1/2 miles in all. There was a pretty steep hike up to the top... SGT Sigman & I power hiked the entire way. It was certainly a huge workout.

Once we got to the top, it was completely flat up until the viewpoint so we ran/jogged the mile to the end of the rock to the beautiful view:

after we enjoyed the view for a little bit, we ran back (most of the way) to the steep trail to go back down. It was a killer on the shins & knees, but so worth it. i honestly loved it, it is amazing how enjoyable working out can be when you have great scenery! i need to go back here sometime.

texas [part one]

This definitely wasn't the first thing that we did while in Texas (did I mention that I was in Texas for the first two weeks of August for National Guard Annual Training?). However, it was what I felt like posting about first. More on the details of the trip later... for now, we'll focus on one of the most fun days we had there, Sea World! It was neat that we got to go because it was definitely not anywhere we would have thought to, or wanted to pay to, take Arlo... but he loved it!

The 234th army band's concert band played a short concert in front of the Shamu Theater, and it was extremely hot. I mean, wow... I was drenched in sweat after the 30 minutes of playing. I don't think that the wool pants helped much, though.

Arlo taking a break from putting on sunscreen... hair a mess with sunscreen and sweat... and then him during the concert.

After that, we got to change into our "civies" and play at the park for free, as well as get 30% off all food and merchandise. Pretty sweet deal, if I do say so myself. The first thing we did was ride a "water roller coaster", my 2nd favorite ride. Pretty fun, but I didn't get nearly as wet as I thought I would:

Dan & Arlo chose to get soaked. You got more wet off of the ride than on the ride.

Arlo loved the shows, he was comletely enthralled and had the longest attention span I have ever seen him have. It was amazing. He was getting frustrated though because he wanted to touch the "fish" (killer whales, seals, walruses, and dolphins) and get in the water with them. After they'd show off their stuff, he would immediately start signing "please", "more", "fish", or "water" and saying "eese" (meaning, please) very fervently. It was pretty adorable!

We rode a couple more roller coasters (not pictured) and had some dippin' dots (Dan's first time). It was super hot, but ultimately, a really fun time. My favorite place in all of Texas.

half way there

Today is my day off from AT (annual training) for "Oregon's Own" 234th Army Band. Since last Saturday we've been to Newport, Florence, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Grants Pass, Myrtle Creek, and Roseburg. This next week we'll be hitting up Wilsonville, Astoria, Hillsboro, and Cove. It's been busy with lots of concerts and late nights packing and loading up all of the equipment... followed by even later hours of having late dinners. There has also been a small amount of time to hang out and have fun... including pool time and even catching Hancock at a small movie theater after a delicious sushi dinner. Dan's been able to come on part of the tour, which has been extra nice. And this week I'll be mostly closer to home and get to sleep in my own bed :) Thanks to our new 4GB memory card in addition to our old one... Dan &I have about 700 pictures of lots of things from hanging out, to raveling, to venues and concerts, and much more. Here are a select few (however still a lot of) shots from the tour thus far.
See ya'll next week (unless you come to the FREE Hillsboro show*)

*Remember: We are playing at Shute Park this Thursday night (the 31st) at 7pm! We have a concert band, jazz band, and a rockin rock band! Bring food and friends!

Lest We Forget

Memorial Day was great this year. I feel so blessed that I get the privilege of playing the the Army National Guard Band for such meaningful and powerful ceremonies. Here are some shots Dan got from the event.