Show #14: Dixon, IL

Dixon High School Auditorium
February 11, 2006

Piano du jour: 6' Steinway, nicely in tune

It was an early departure today (8:00 AM) because we have 317 miles to cover and a 3:00 PM load-in. We had a gray and snowy drive through Wisconsin. But the sun came out as we entered Illinois (State #5), the land of toll roads. We passed the 2,000 mile mark on our trek today. About another 5,500 to go. It warmed up quite a bit once we got into Illinois, and there is no snow on the ground.

We arrived in Dixon, Illinois, to find that it is the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. I think we’ll pass on visiting the historic site. Our hotel here is the best we’ve stayed in so far – thanks, Jody!
And now it’s time for thanks to Jody’s mom. Every night in the show, as Jody is introducing herself, she says that she is from Racine, Wisconsin, “where they make that gosh-darn good Danish kringle, doncha know.” Well Jody’s mom came to the tonight’s show and she brought some of the gosh-darn good kringle! Three kinds, even…Black Forest, Pecan and Cherry Cream Cheese!

Let me go on record saying that it certainly lives up to the hype! Thanks, Jody’s mom!!

Our venue this evening was a beautiful old auditorium.

In the hallway just off the stage there was a plaque on the wall which read:

ON THIS STAGE IN 1962
FRED PIERCE
FOUND
LOVE & MAGIC
May you do the same

I wonder what the story is here. In any case, good for you, Fred!

Word of the day: yaw: to deviate from a straight course

Miles traveled: 320

Hotel: Quality Inn & Suites