Hey there,
So its currently 11:52 Iowa time…but it’s actually 12:51 here in Indiana. We are at a rest stop in Indianapolis. Here are some updates I’ve been typing on the bus until I found Internet:
6:05 PM –
We’re just two hours into the trip.
But if you happen to be driving along hwy 61 or interstate 80 you couldn’t miss us. 5 buses, 2 passenger vans, an equipment semi and a souvenir box truck….all marked with the colts logo on the side.
The adventure actually started just afternoon today as colts members, friends and family gathered at the Colts Bingo Hall in Dubuque, loaded buses and packed up the hundreds of sack lunches.
Just before 4 o’clock we hit the road…after a briefing from Colts Director Greg. Right now we’re about 2 hours west of Peoria…picking up various Colts members along the way.
We’ll be traveling through the night…and picking up another load of members in Indianapolis…and then driving through the night.
Of course we’ll bring you the latest update as I am able…I can’ say this much…these colts members are like family to each other…so imagine a 22 hours road trip with your family…with hundreds of your family members….and you’ve got the colts trip to Washington D.C.
But for now…blogging from the Interstate 74 in Illinois.
10:05 PM
We’re just outside of Indianapolis…and since we last talked…the population on our bus has nearly doubled…and we’ve added another bus to the caravan
In Indianapolis we’ll pick up another group of about 40 members and alumni..
We are traveling with hundreds of people from Eastern Iowa and around the United States…but among the media…a crew from Great Britain will be joining us. They’re working on a story about the 20 members of the colts from Great Britain.
For anyone worried about us driving through the night…drivers are changing shifts at 12:30….at that stop we’ll also have an hour and a half to get food…and stretch…then its back on the road to d.c.
We’re expected to arrive at Gallaudet University in DC by 5:30 tomorrow night.
As I’ve said before…stay tuned to KWWL..tomorrow morning we’ll have another update from the road.
So you see this does take me back to my days on NCYC in youth ministry. In fact I came to Indianapolis when I was a sophomore in high school for NCYC. How fun right? haha except I haven’t slept yet…and I’m not gonna lie I’m kinda getting tired. But I don’t know if we’re gonna get much sleep. We’ll see.
We’re supposed to be at this stop for the next hour and a half BUT the roads are getting icy so we are trying to get ahead of the weather. Oh the adventures.
In the short time I’ve been on the bus I’ve started to see just how much of a family these Colts members are. I mean I guess if I spent multiple summers with people, sleeping on gym floors I’d feel the same way. It’s like WOAH! But it’s also been fun to hear their stories (some more interesting than others). It’s certainly to my benefit to be “embeded” in this experience and see what it’s like to be a Colt.
Here is one of the bus drivers during the change up.
And the multiple members who joined us through out the trip.
here’s some of the alumni on my bus.
I was talking with the TH reporter who is also here with me…and we were both saying we just can’t wait for tomorrow night to be here. We can’t wait for us to be in D.C. and to begin the "real" experience. In the meantime all we can do is hurry up and wait…although the whole hurry up part doens’t really make sense. There is certainly no hurrying involved right now. haha
BUT I am going ot hurry up and finish this blog so I can grab a bite to eat and get back on the bus.
Until the next wireless signal. GOOD NIGHT~
Lauren~
ps - I am curious how many of you are reading this…please leave comments below. Tell me where you’re reading this from and how things are going. 
Posted under Uncategorized
This post was written by lsquires on January 18, 2009
My name is Joel Meltzer, and I am reading this post from Connecticut. I marched with the Colts in 2008, and I am planning on marching at least the next year with them. I will be meeting the caravan tomorrow in DC. See you then!
I am following your journey step by step while tuning into the news also. Anxiously waiting on your next update.
My nephew and older sister are amongst the group so I will be following right along! Have fun and be safe!!
I am reading from Oskaloosa, Ia. I am alumni and you are traveling with a crew from the early ’90’s that I would love to be traveling with. You are very lucky. I am pregnant and didn’t even try. Good luck and I know you will have a great time.
I’m reading this from DC, where I’m waiting for the Colts to arrive this afternoon. I’m stationed here in the Quantico Marine Corps Band and marched and taught the Colts from 2001-2006
I am enjoying reading about your experience. My daughter is one of the alum on the bus.
Thanks for the great updates! I’ve been to D.C. several times as a former bus driver and feel your pains! Keep up the great work! Enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity, wish we were there!
I am a parent of one of the cadets traveling wiht you, wife of the food truck driver and a bus driver myself who couldn’t make the trip. Keep on blogging and posting the pictures - we are traveling with you in our hearts and your blog is so important to those of us who couldn’t make it - I’m checking about every two hours!
Hi Lauren- I’m reading this from the Hudson Valley in New York. I’m a Drum Corps fan and drive across Iowa each summer on my way to military duty at Offutt AFB, NE. Enjoying your frequent blog & video updates. There’s a link to your blog on Drum Corps Planet http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121694
… so who knows how many more people are reading your posts and watching your videos.
… Keep up the excellent work. Safe trip to DC … Looking forward to watching the Colts in Tuesday’s parade.
PS. “Have realy enjoyed the great Iowa hospitality … Thank-you.”
I am enjoying reading these blogs. My boyfriend was a 2008 member of the Colts and he is marching with them in the parade. So, it has been nice to be kept up-to-date on whats going on.
My name is Sheryl Becker and I was in marching band at UNI with two of the Colts alums who are going to D.C. Great job on the blog - I’ve enjoyed reading it! Keep up the great work and Go Colts!
I’m reading from Boston. I marched with th Colts for several years in the ’90s. I miss my compatriots on this trip and am thinking of you all. I’m grateful for all of the updates. Thank you for embedding yourself in our experience!
Hi I’m Terry Stewart, chair of the Dubuque DEmocratic Party. We are so proud of the Colts being in the parade. Is there a way to meet up with Lauren in D.C. and share some comments as my daughter and I have an invitatton to the swearing in and inaugural ball. We will be at the National Firefighter’s Dinner Monday night in D.C. and the brunch at Union Station on Tues. Jan. 20.
Hurray for the Colts and local coverage!
I am watching the Colts trip to Obama’s inauguration, thanks to Lauren’s blog, from Southwest Iowa. My son and his daughter, my grand daughter, are on this trip. We are all excited for them. My grand daughter, Anna, is a member of the Colts. My son, Eric, is helping on this trip by driving a truck. Will keep watching for all the notes about the DC trip at Lauren’s blog. Thanks so much for this opportunity.
I’m reading from the Kansas City area! My Colts alumni daughter is meeting up with the group in DC later today. One of the best parts of the Colts experience is the bus ride… and yes, they actually do sleep on the road!! Have fun and enjoy your experience - you will talk about this for years!!
I am thoroughly enjoying reading your blog. My son was a Cadet last year and is traveling with the group to Washington, DC. I love reading about what he is doing! Thanks for helping us parents feel connected!
I’m a friend of one of the Cadets on the bus. It’s nice to be able to read how things are going on the trip. Hope you all enjoy witnessing history in the making. Have a wonderful experience and safety to all.
Hey Lauren,
I’m reading your blog from Oldsmar, FL (that’s near Clearwater) and two of my boys are travelling with you so I appreciate your updates to keep me posted. Thanks for sharing all of your mini moments!
I am a good friend of MJ FItch (#16 poster) reading all the way down in East Texas (Lufkin). Love reading your blog. Praying all of you have very safe travel and the most inspiring presidential inauguration experience. Blessings.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE BLOG & COMMENTS. I AM AN ADOPTED GRANDMOM FOR # ONE DAVID A DRUMMER. HE IS ON THE TRIP, AND I AM MIGHTY PROUD TO BE HIS ‘ADOPTED GRANDMOM’. TAKE CARE OF HIM FOR ME! HI!DAVID F.
YOUR TEXAS ADOPTED GRANDMOM SUE
I’m reading from Wiesbaden,Germany. I was with the Colts from 1994-2000 and would love to be with you all right now. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Enjoy your experience!
Hi! I’m in Omaha, NE. Thanks so much for keeping us all up-to-date with your once-in-a-lifetime trip. My son is Doug, one of the Colts drum majors traveling with you. Tell him hi for me! I love being able to read about your journey. Here’s to safe travels for all of you!
So glad to have this opportunity to keep up w/Colts goings on during this historic trip. I worked the souvie truck in 2007. Go Colts!!!
I found your link on DCP. I am reading this from Indiana. I never marched with the COLTS, nor do I know anyone fron the COLTS. But I am so proud of the COLTS. The COLTS are everything that the Drum and Bugle Corps community is all about. And I am proud to be part of the same community that the COLTS are part of. Support the COLTS, buy a souvie.
Reading from Robinson, Illinois. I marched in the trumpet section in 2006 and 2007. However, in the Colts I’m better known as Mariachi. What cna I say one of the people in the section decided I needed a nickname at the beginning of my first year. Thanks for the updates.
I am reading from Topeka Ks. My daughter traveling with you now and is looking forward to marching one more year with the Colts. Marching with the Colts Drum and Bugle Crops has been a life changing experience for the whole family.
Hi Lauren =D!.
I am reading this from LaGrange, Ga.. pretty far away but distance could never separate drum corps fans from a good story. I LOVE that you (and you’re superiors since I assume they clear which stories you pursue) are taking the time out to cover this story. Just the fact that you think it’s something worth showing the world is refreshing. I myself am a confessed drum corps addict and plan to audition for either Spirit, Carolina Crown, or Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps’ this summer (I’ll be 19… age out year is 22 so I want to get started). If you could spend an entire year (starting in August) traveling with a drum corps and seeing all the planning and practice that goes into the activity, and then show that to viewers I know it would be quite clear, if it isn’t already, that this is a massive and important activity in the lives of youth and fans alike. Thank you so much for reporting this story. That’s basically all I guess hha. Just saying thanks. I really appreciate the coverage.