July 22 - Report from Texas, courtesy of Robin Cole

At the airport things were a little different than last year. Because so many were split between three flights, it was quieter and there were less parents, at least at the 10:30 flight. Texas was much cooler than last year. I didn't stay with the corps. As my college friend lives nearby, I combined a visit with the beginning of the tour.

The corps stayed in a new school in Mesquite Texas. One appropriately named John Horn.

At a school near where I stayed was Southwind and the neighbors in both areas were very excited with newspapers carrying articles about the two upcoming competitions.

It seems last year there were an expected 1,000 that ended up being 3,000, so this year they planned for 5,000.

The school was very nice. When I got there, lunch had just ended and everyone was heading out to practice.

At the stadium that night, the corps was greeted warmly and the show was exciting. The crowd enjoyed it immensely with people standing and cheering at the end.

Age-out alumni Chris Adachi and his mom were in the stands as they live in the next town, Garland.

Right: Mandarins on the stadium's Jumbotron