A 48-Hour Whirlwind

At 1:30 PM on Friday, September 19, 2008, we met our friends, Bruce & Sandy Iveson, at the Jean exit south of Las Vegas. We were headed to Riverside, California to call a square dance for the Cowtown Singles (Stupid name, I know. Very redneck. It gets its name from the fact that the entire area used to be covered with cattle ranches.) Eight squares of wonderful people. Bruce and Sandy moved to Santa Clara, Utah, from California. They used to dance with these people. The dance went well. Duane did a Plus tip "with attitude." We had a great time in a very nice dance hall.

After the dance, we still had another 100 miles to drive to Santa Clarita where we were so graciously hosted by Roy and Jean Woodard. Bed never felt so wonderful.

The next morning Bruce and Sandy escorted us to Hollywood Boulevard where we saw Darth Vader and Marilyn Monroe among other interesting "look-alikes." We also drove past Graumann's Chinese Theatre. Then we went to Universal City Walk, a shopping experience just outside Universal Studios. Fun place, especially if you have lots of money and time. We also drove to the top of a tall hill (Odyssey was written on it) to overlook the cities and get some perspective.

That evening, after a nice meal at the Sizzler, we found ourselves in Northridge where Duane called a great dance for the Valley Trailers. We were very pleased at the 17 squares in attendance. It was a flashback to the Fun Times Squares when we had an average of 20 to 25 squares each night. Enthusiasm begets enthusiasm. Duane called an Advanced-1 tip at the end of the evening. I was very proud of him.

We took off toward Las Vegas about 9:00 on Sunday morning and found ourselves passing the Jean exit almost exactly 48 hours after we met our friends there two days earlier.

We now look back and are amazed at all the things we did in those FAST 48 hours. Good memories, good times, good new friends . . .

Riverside, California, Here We Come!

We are leaving for Las Vegas today. It is our plan to spend the night there and celebrate Lisa's 27th birthday, sort of. How much celebrating can you do when her husband,Rusty, is out of town?

We will continue on to Riverside Friday afternoon.

Duane has been asked to call square dancing for two clubs, one in Riverside and the other in Northridge, California. We had some visitors at the Sunshine Dancers earlier in the summer. It was a very good night and they were impressed with Duane's calling, so they set up this weekend for him to visit their clubs. Bruce & Sandy Iveson, who live here and used to dance at these clubs, are caravaning with us.

Duane is a little nervous, but it's only because he hasn't traveled to a new area to call for a long time. I think he's just lost some of his confidence. He tends to do his best when he is a little out of his comfort zone. He is very capable and will do a wonderful job. He always comes across with enthusiasm.

We're looking forward to a fun experience and making lots of new friends.