Solvang and photos from San Francisco

Internet has been few and far between the last day so sorry for the delay. We arrived in Solvang, CA today around 1:30 pm. Arnie stopped and let us out at a beach an hour outside of Solvang. The 60-degree temperatures, sun and cold ocean water was the perfect lunch break on the way to Solvang. There wasn’t actually a beach, but we climbed down some rocks, tossed our shoes to the side and dipped our feet in the ocean. The waves were fairly large and there were several surfers at this particular spot. We learned they don’t like tourists.

After arriving in Solvang, we walked around the neat little town until 4:15. Solvang, which is more like a village, was founded in 1911 by a Danish colony. Solvang’s Danish roots are very much rooted and the buildings are all Danish-styled. Unique shops, authentic restaurants and coffee houses line the streets of Solvang, which sits at the base of foothills.

As you know, last night’s concert was very rushed getting started as bus problems delayed the 7:00 start. Despite empty stomachs and a lack of rehearsal, the choir still performed well. Some students said it didn’t go as well as the prior shows but all in all was fine. Misty Noor got sick and sat out the last set, most likely do to anemia and lack of food.

Last night Misty, Dani, Cathy and I stayed with two Grand View Alumni in Salinas. Karma grew up in Des Moines, went to East High School and attended Grand View from 1949-51. Bob, who grew up in Salinas and attended Grand View because his father did, went from 1928-50 They dated in college but broke up when Bob moved back to Salinas. Five years later, Karma took a road trip to California with a friend. She called up Bob, they got married, started a family and have been in Salinas ever since. It was really great to stay with Bob and Karma, as we heard a lot of great stories about Grand View as they knew it. Karma even showed us her old yearbooks from her days at Grand View. I find it funny they had yearbooks in college.


Bob and Karma, Grand View Alumni

The group sings tonight at 7 in Bethania Lutheran Church. The church was also founded in 1911 by the same group of Danes that settled in Solvang. The church was built using a photograph of a church in Denmark. I’ve temporarily lost my camera cord, but I will load photos of it tonight or tomorrow.

My computer is about to die and I’m a few blocks from the church. I will have more on tonight’s concert if I can find internet tonight. We head to Henderson, NV in the morning for an early show, then off to the Las Vegas strip for a couple hours and then back to Iowa!


Photos from yesterday:


Lois's daughter and son in law came to the Salinas concert.


The cooks were very patient last night and waited until after the concert to serve us. They had cookies for the occasion.


Eric teaches his tricks to Dollie as they wait for the bus.


Saul tries it.


The choir sings on steps in San Francisco as they wait for the bus to be repaired.


Keyla sings on the streets of San Francisco.


Dollie hides from the group in hopes of avoiding singing a song.


Hannah belts it in San Francisco.


Michael Tallman


Constance Jones


Monica, Jay and Saul


The group singing in San Francisco


Monica


St. Patrick's Day in San Francisco


Going over the Golden Gate Bridge.