Motab Tour Part 2

The drive through Wisconsin and into Minnesota was so lovely. There was a whole group of people in the rows behind us that were so enamored with the beautiful farms and RED barns in particular. They were/are such well kept, picturesque scenes to watch. We drove to Black River Falls Wisconsin to place a marker remembering the pioneers that worked the timber there. They were known as the pineries, we learned what white pine looks like and why it was desireable. The logs were floated down to the Mississippi river to Nauvoo, orginally for building the temple but the saints were able to sell them at a high price and most of it was sold for the benefit of the saints. Anyway, a few years ago when the choir approached the town council of Black River Falls about doing this and having the choir stop they were not enthused, not even interested. But as they developed the plan and time went on the entire town became involved and VERY excited.

The choir men got new casual shirts with the choir logo to wear with khaki pants, the women a similar blue shirt to be worn with a dark skirt for this and any other future casual events. As we drove through town in our 11 tour buses it definately caught peoples attention. I saw people stop on the streets, look out their windows and step out on the porch and watch these buses drive by. I'm sure most of them had no idea what was going on. We stopped at the park, the choir got in formation on a stone amphitheater and the mayor got up to the microphone and in his Wisconsin accent welcomed the people of the town, the choir and MARK Wilburg. He also referenced Elder Card-own several times. (Mac Wilberg, Elder Cardin) the choir sang 3 numbers, Elder Cardin spoke for about 5 mins. and then Mac had the choir sing Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was hot for the choir, but not horrible. When the last song was over this little mustached mayor in a mismatched suit took the microphone again and his voice cracked and he was weepy. I felt like he was surprised at his emotion, embarrassed at being that way in public. I'm quite sure he had never done that before! He announced that they would hold the traffic (two cars and a postal truck) so we could all cross the street and have a look at the Black River. This was a non event. You had to look over a high cement wall, and it was not much to see but they seemed to be proud of it. Later that night several choir members discovered they had wood ticks. We boarded the buses after about an hour total time and headed to a memorial park for a catered lunch.

This house was one of hundreds of beautiful American homes we drove by, most with US flags and looked like it was right off a Norman Rockwell print.

This war memorial park was so nice. The local LDS members drove from the concert and met us there and did a little skit in pioneer and indian clothes, etc. A local caterer hosted another wonderful lunch complete with a sampling of Wisconsin cheeses. Then on to MINNESOTA! We arrived at our downtown Marriott just in time to walk 2 blocks to the new Target Field and watch a Twins game with 220 of our closest friends!

It was a great night, lovely weather, a super park and the Twins won the game with home runs and all! More to come........