The Last Page

We’re on the last page of the itinerary now; well, next to last, but only because the day with the drive home didn’t quite fit. People are counting the “lasts” – last Sunday, last Monday. We haven’t made it to the “last” of any particular program yet, but it won’t be long now. I’m not sure when the last TAD happens, but I think Joe, Michelle, Betsy, and Ivy will win the “last TAD” award for their appearance at Baldwin-Wallace College on Friday.

For most people, “lasts” are about getting home. For Gail, she is counting the “lasts” of her career. Even though she won’t retire until June, this is the last tour of her career with the Band. Each night has been increasingly difficult for her – the audiences here in Michigan have been more responsive to the patriotic tunes, and she is near tears when they stand for God Bless America. She has already asked the rest of the flute section to play a little louder on Stars and Stripes her last night because she isn’t sure she’ll be able to play. It certainly won’t be the last time she plays Stars and Stripes, but there’s a heightened level of emotion on Tour not present at regular concerts.

For our final night off, in Muskegon, we were treated to an outrageous thunder storm and lightning show, with rain, sleet, and wind gusts that had trees bending over. It made the decision to stay in for the evening a no-brainer. I had hoped for an early night, but the slush filled parking lots of the shopping center behind the hotel became the drag strip for trucks and cars, revving their engines beneath my window around midnight. This went on for quite some time; it was after 1:45 before quiet reigned outside my window. For a while I gave up and leaned on the window sill to watch, half hoping to see a little demolition derby action. The late night and lack of sleep had me turning of the alarm; sleep was needed more than a walk.

The high winds continued to departure; the skies alternated between ominous clouds and brilliant flashes of sunlight. The skies were bright as we arrived in East Lansing, so I dropped my luggage in the room and left to explore the surrounding neighborhood. After walking awhile, I ducked into CVS to pick up a few small items. No more than fifteen minutes later I walked out the door to find myself standing under dark skies, a mix of rain and hail falling on my head. I trotted back to the hotel to drop off my purchases and meet Michelle for dinner. By the time we left the hotel, the sun was shining and fine, misty rain fell.

The concert was at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on the MSU campus. Large and spacious, it was a treat to play the B program in a nice hall, and the program change to substitute La Fiesta was a refreshing change of pace.

The winter-like temperatures have me wondering if it was a good idea to leave the winter coat at home. Fortunately, I have plenty of layers to wear under the raincoat, and walking keeps me warm.