What a terrible night for a walk! The thunderstorms and heavy downpours began about ten minutes before we started. The tour was up in the air for a minute, but we decided to put the kids on the bus and drive around in circles while I told stories with the microphone.
This group of 8th graders from the Johnstown, PA area deserves an award for their behavior. They were excellent considering they were wet, cold, and left up to their own devices in the comfort of their seats on the bus. They all paid attention and some even asked questions! Wild. Most groups that I have come across in that situation would have skipped the tour altogether and took the kids to the hotel to let them go swimming.
I will admit that it is not easy telling stories moving at 35 mph, stop and go through town. The windows fogged up in the bus, the driver had no idea where he was going, and I'm taking him down the narrow streets around the college. Talk about the blind leading the blind! There were a few really tight spots and thankfully this guy was a pro. We made it around without damaging any vehicles.
Halfway through, the kids got cold and asked the bus driver to turn the heat on. For the guy wearing a wet wool greatcoat, turning the heat on did not sound like a good idea! It was a very warm last 25 minutes!
The only building that these kids saw was Stevens Hall. That, of course, is home to the "Blue Boy" story which is somewhat depressing when you talk about the mistreatment of the children at the orphanage. But hey, what can you do? This tour, if that what it was, was over in about 45 minutes. The kids seemed to enjoy the experience and I got a kick out of playing with my tone of voice over the microphone.
It could have been worse, at least it didn't snow!
From tours gone by… There was one night where I was on the balcony smoking a cig when I heard a group of people below me talking. They told this one guy that there was a soldier on the balcony and he adamantly refused to turn around and look. So I took the bunting that was hanging on the railing and dipped it down in front of him a few times then lifted it back up and ducked down so he couldn't see me! This guy didn't know what to do. His friends were laughing and this guy really wanted to know how that happened. I couldn't help myself from laughing out loud and finally revealed myself on the balcony. That's when one of his friends said "See, I told you there was a soldier on the balcony!" Good times!
Sleep well.
"Rick Saunders
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