And We’re Off! Day 1 on the Road with the Grand Western Tour

We’re off to a wonderful start out here on the road. Spirits were high this morning as we kicked off our adventure with “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson playing through the bus speakers — the perfect anthem for the journey ahead (and a Grand Western tradition we do every morning!). We’re excited to be with Marty, our amazing motor coach operator this summer!

Today was extra special because we got to celebrate Aubree’s birthday! Everyone gathered around to sing her a hearty “Happy Birthday,” and she got to pick our movie — Talladega Nights was the unanimous crowd-pleaser.

Our first big stop was the legendary Kentucky Derby grounds, where we were lucky enough to catch a live horse race. Horse number 3 crossed the finish line first! While a few of the boys were slightly disappointed they couldn’t place any bets, the thrill of watching the race more than made up for it.

As the afternoon sun broke through, we made our way to Joe Huber’s, where the weather was picture-perfect for exploring and relaxing. We wrapped up our time there with a beautiful sunset — a peaceful end to a day full of excitement.

A few fun highlights: Hutch bravely tried fried chicken for the first time (his verdict: a bit overrated!), and some healthy competition unfolded on the court. The Raleigh crew claimed bragging rights by beating the Charlotte group in basketball, while the rest of the gang had a blast playing volleyball nearby.

The group is settling in wonderfully — laughter, friendly banter, and lots of smiles all around. Everyone is looking forward to what tomorrow brings as we continue this adventure together.

Stay tuned for more updates — we can’t wait to share more memories with you soon!