[PRCo] Re: Montana Travelogue

[Dennis Fred Cramer]

The Empire Builder is a superb train with real china and meals cooked on 
board.  The lamb shank and steak were both particularly well done.  The 
sleeper car passengers had a wine and cheese party each way while crossing 
the plains of Montana.  The Capitol Limited had plastic dishes.

We had a short window of time.  I may have retired from teaching, but have 
not retired as a musician.  This weekend will be the 10th & 11th 
performances since our return.  I cannot afford to be away from the horn too 
long as I normally practice between 1.5 & 2 hours a day, just enough to 
avoid problems.  We got home on July 3rd, I had two concerts on July 5th, 
and then went into 3 days of 7 hour rehearsals with Keystone Winds. 
Keystone traveled to Cincinnati to perform 2 concerts at a world wide 
clinic.   Liz also maintains a teaching studio and had to rearrange lessons 
for the time we were gone.

I would enjoy driving, but we just do not have that kind of time.  I am 
planning a trip to the San Juans in late September and we are trying to 
juggle teaching schedules, rehearsals, and performances.

This is the life I have chosen, no complaints.  Making music is incredibly 
important to me.


Dennis F. Cramer
      Trombone