Summer drew to a close and Paul invited the last of the summer tourists to our Southeast Alaska Odyssey Show in the Chilkat Theater on Mount Roberts.
Locals gathered for the annual Mountain Music Festival. This is Michael Truax, one of our favorite “Juneau” singers and guitar instrumentalists. 
Abigail and Maire were festival volunteer helpers.
Laura took in her last hikes.
Melissa and the girls finished sewing new kuspuks for the fall tour. 
Quinn hosted his last summer bash with friends.
Douglas boat launch
A long day of flying and we arrived at Minneapolis – St. Paul airport in Minnesota.
First stop on our fall tour was Decorah, Iowa. 
The “cut” is a flood prevention canal in Decorah and the sight of many summer days of play for Paul while he grew up.
We loved walking and biking Decorah’s newly completed 11-mile loop Trout Run Trail. The trail winds through the country side, over rolling hills, across trout streams and beside the Decorah fish hatchery. 
Abigail took full advantage of the warm autumn days, running barefoot and learning to walk Quinn’s slack line. 
Abigail longs to own a kitten and she discovered this unsuspecting kitty in Grandma’s flower patch. 
Kitty was lured up to the sunny porch…..
…..and into the house for some milk.
She wouldn’t take up much room in the bus Abigail assured us.
Autumn harvest is plentiful and the farmer’s markets are brimming with brilliantly colored fruits and vegetables.
We drove north to Sandwich, Illinois and stopped at the home of luthier, John Ressler. 
John is a gifted craftsman and he specializes in building stair cases. But it is his skill at building guitars that is simply out of this world. 
John shows Paul some of his latest beauties.
Laura spends a happy afternoon in the music room and calculates how long it will be till she can return to Ressler’s place to claim one to call her own. Learn more about John Ressler guitars at this website http://www.resslerguitars.com
http://www.alaskastringband.net/resslerGuitar.shtml
These wonderful portraits were presented to us after a concert in Minnesota. Can you guess who the subjects were?
A day in Chicago, IL and a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry.
We are really thankful for modern dentistry and our amazing dentist.
United Methodist Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Crossing the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
Casino Boat on the Mississippi River
Spring Grove, Minnesota….Uff Da Fest complete with trolls.
In Manhattan, Kansas we met pastor Paul Berkey where he and the congregation of the community church hosted an evening concert of the Alaska String Band.
In Oklahoma we explored a wildlife refuge and met up with another traveling band called Link Union.
Alaska String Band has enjoyed several visits to the Mitchell Resort and RV Park annual fall Bluegrass Festival. Over the years we have performed and enjoyed hearing some great bands and made some even better friends.
Sam and Gay enjoy the bluegrass performances on the mainstage.
This amazing friendship cake in the shape of the state of Texas was gifted to us during the festival weekend by friendly bluegrassers.
Roy Thackerson the fingerless fiddler rips it up on the Orange Blossom Special.
Blocker-Stephens Bluegrass
Grandpa’s Neighbors 
Laura befriends a young bluegrasser.
From the Heartland band comes into our bus to visit.
Late night jam sessions are popular with many festival attenders and performers.
Our favorite sound technician, Frank, sets the stage mic between acts.
DL and Clara Williams of Hillsboro, Texas are among some of the wonderful friends we have been fortunate to meet. Clara is a marvelous host and amazing cook. Here she is in her remarkable kitchen doing what she does best.
Laura lends a hand.
DL and Clara host music nights and dominoes games to a large number of their contemporaries on a weekly basis.
Not only do we leave DL and Clara’s home warmed and filled but with clean laundry too!
Alaska String Band is the music entertainment at DL and Clara’s 
Laura and Paul do a sound check before we play at the Belcher Center for Arts on LeTurneau Campus in Longview, Texas.
LeTurneau student body is mosts appreciative.
Blair Bluegrass Festival in Blair, OK. Volunteer Fire Department sponsors this annual festival to benefit the fire rescue department. Laura, Amy and Abigail went for a ride on the fire truck.
One more stop in picturesque Wharton, TX.
http://www.journal-spectator.com/editorial/opinion/article_1db884c0-43ef-11e2-9352-001a4bcf887a.html
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