Shallowford Presbyterian Youth

 Day three started with another great meal from Beth Shiloh Presbyterian in York. Bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, grits, biscuits, cereal, etc. We all left with full stomachs and even fuller hearts for the people that have treated us so wonderfully over the last 24 hours.

From York it was over the river and through the woods passing through small town after small town only to arrive at Rose Hill Mansion and State Park. And I do mean only. The estate itself built in 1828 wasn't open to tours until 1pm and Barney Fife was probably pretty relieved that we had to leave before then. I think it was the most teenagers he had ever seen in one place before. If only we had known the most exciting part would be watching Moe squeeze the bus through the tiny gates! Nevertheless it was a park, and it is in a state, so we hung around.




After a quick sweep of the grounds to take a picture of THE rose, walk the half mile "nature trail" and use the facilities, we managed to make the most of what little time we had at Rose Hill. Frisbees started flying, the boys played primitive Hawaiian games, and others just hung out but it was time to go. Outlet Malls awaited!






The drive from Rose Hill to Gafney was equally as windy but it gave the youth time to plan out their shopping strategies. Three distinct styles arose:

1) Eat first. If we have anytime left, we'll go walk around a little and see what we can find.

2) Food? Who cares about food?! There's shopping and it's an outlet mall! Things are cheaper here. Where's the ATM?!

3) Dude I can't find my black shoes. Or my socks. Or my pants. I gotta go to Banana Republic and get  whole new tour uniform. (sadly this is not made up folks)


After some speed shopping, many of us lighter in the wallet, it was another short ride into Davidson. We felt like we had finally arrived in civilization with the hustle and bustle of Alumni Weekend around the Davidson campus and people walking along the streets in and out of coffee houses and college town cafes.

Davidson Presbyterian Church is situated right in the middle of it all with an absolutely enormous sanctuary. We were again warmly greeted, we rehearsed briefly, and were rushed off for dinner and initial meetings with out host families.







The huge sanctuary wasn't exactly full but it was another good show with some fun moments of improvisation and laughs. We even had a few familiar faces in the audience. Part of the joy of being on tour is seeing the performance so many different times. You really get a sense for when a soloist, or a speaker, or the choir in general really nails it and you can genuinely give them an atta boy.

Tomorrow is a long day.We are back to sing in worship at Davidson Pres. before hitting the road for our longest drive of the tour: Davidson to Myrtle Beach where we'll sing again.

Ride, eat, sing baby. Ride. Eat. Sing.