From Orientation to the Open Road: Beginning the 2026 Grand Western Tour!

Louisville, KY

Greensboro, NC to Louisville, KY

And just like that, the journey we’ve been counting down to is officially underway!

We kicked things off with orientation in Greensboro, where the group spent the weekend bonding, playing team building games, and getting to know the people they’ll be sharing the next several weeks with. By the time the games wrapped, strangers were already starting to feel like friends. After one last night at home, families gathered for final photos in front of the bus before we pulled out of town, officially road trip bound.

Then we were off! Day 1 took us to Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, where we caught a live horse race in action. We even picked up a couple of fun facts along the way: no horse starting from post position 17 has ever won the Derby, and a horse only gets one shot at the race in its entire career.

The bus miles flew by with Mean Girls and Cars playing on the screens, and the day landed us at a true country dinner. After we ate, everyone spilled outside to soak up the evening. There was volleyball and basketball as the sun went down, time spent visiting the chickens, swinging, catching up on the Stanley Cup, and yes, a few determined attempts to climb the slide up into the second floor of the chicken house.

One weekend in and we’ve already got stories to tell. Here’s to the 32 days still ahead. ☀️