We’re flying high to Shannon Ireland.

Well not just yet, as the first leg was a “Road Trip” (in our bus) to
Camp Wisdom. it’s right in the big middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.



The first thing that we got was the unwelcome and uninvited reality of humidity Texas style. It embraced us with its heavy arms of “Hello welcome to my den” around us and started to wring the dry West Texas out of us. It worked on me.

In no time I looked a drowned rat.

Most of the others faired much better or at least their t-shirts didn’t look like a they had just come out of the wash.

After a night in the humidity den we boarded our bus and headed for McD’s and breakfeast. Coffee was on most of the adults minds and we needed it to kick start our hearts.

As 99% of the youth I’ve ever been privileged to work with ours, took everything in stirde and never missed a lick. These kids are the cream of the crop and all their parents should be extremely proud of them.

On a personal note, my brother and sister-in-laws, Bill Don and Vicki came by to see me, give me a hug and wish us goodbye and a wonderful trip. Family is wonderful.

We procceded to DFW and our search for Continential Airlines. After circling the roadways,we decided we had missed ours and headed back where we came from. Don't know if we There were more suitcases, backpacks, duffle bags and such than most armies travel with.

Making our way up the escalator holding on to our bags was a test in human determination, at least for me.

The unwanted humidity found us, again, and we had to pay homage to its demands. So much mositure esaping just doesn’t look good on me, especially when it bleeds through my new gift-travel t-shirt from Kristi Russell, Virgina Garland and Linda Wilson. “Dancing Our Way Across the UK” with every ones names on it. How cool is that? Thank you Ladies!




“Passports, give me your passports" Dustin said and we did. So they could start processing our tickets.

Hey, hey, this is about to be real.

We passed inspection and all were passed on into the inter sanctom of the airport. Our gate, #8, was right in front of us and all we had to do was wait. This four letter word will get a lot use before this tour is over.

Food, some wanted and found food. Some stood around knowing sitting was going to be our mode of travel for many a day. Others had things to read, games to play, people to watch and time to wait.

We boarded our flight, pilot got the okay to taxi, we moved into line to wait our turn. Before too long the roar of our jet threw us into the air as if we had been shot out of a giant sling shot.

It’s interesting that when you’ve done something many times you forget the thrill of the first time. I had the opportunity to sit with Ryan and Colin on their first flight. It was neat seeing them so full of excitement, wonder, and enjoyment as we flew.

Everything was new. When was the last time you saw that in someones eyes or felt that feeling yourself? It made, no gave me, the opportunity to enjoy the flight even more.

As we flew into Newark, NJ we saw the skyline of New York City, the Empire State building and the Statute of Liberty. What a picture and I was as transfixed as everyone. My camera was resting below my seat! I’m a photographer and suppose to capture moments like that. I did, but only in my memory.

Two gates later we boarded and started our long flight across the Atlantic. It was dark when we flew over it and games, movies, sleep and no sleep keep every one busy.

Ireland....we landed. This is real!

It is so beautiful and I'll post more photos later. This is the first time
we've had internet and thanks to Philip Sheeran it's happening, from his house. Thank you Philip.

Tony is our bus driver and after some anxious times he finds us about the same timed we find him. What a bus. A double-decker and it has air conditioning.

We saw the cliffs of Moher and they are fantastic. It started to rain, not much but enough to round up our herd and head them back to the bus.



The Renmore Scout hut is in sight.

We unloaded, they feed us, we changed into our regalia (the weather was a concern--as we've learned it rains in Ireland).

A man told Mike "This is a passing shower, but it may take a day or two to pass." Tis true.


The Spanish Arch, which is 500 years old, on the bank of the Corrib River was the site of our first performance. It was as they say, "a grand show" of over 200 plus people of all ages.

All the tired, lack of sleep and jet lag didn't keep the Kwahadis from giving more than 100% and the crowd loved them. People stayed and visited, Kwahadi Dancers handed out collector photo cards, thanks to the Big Red, and many an autograph was asked for and given.

Another great step in people knowing the Kwahadi Dancers.

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It was a great way to start our tour. The crowd was wonderful, the Kwahadi put their all into it and friends were made, fans were made and photos were taken.

What a great day, we're tired, got some showers and most are asleep as I write.

Tomorrow we kiss the Blarney Stone and put on another show. If we can find access, we'll post, if not we'll have to wait to find a place like now.

Hope you enjoyed our days, our travels and tell others about us. We love to be talked about.

Dancing for Food we go forth.

John Madden

Today is the day!

We leave on a wonderful experience TODAY! It seems like it was just yesterday that this day was a year and a half away. Time has flown and now it's double down day.

We had full house for our last summer show last night with three Boy Scouts troops spending the night, a group of Lion Club Exchange students, representatives from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, family, friends and many others.

You should have seen it. The hoop fire dance was "Wow" and we had more hoop dancers than I've ever seen at the Kiva. Everyone danced their hearts out and the crowd roared with appreciation.

Early this week, Monday night, we danced at Pilmont Scout Ranch, in Cimarron, New Mexico. Their were over two hundred people in the audience. One of the guest was Native American and we saw her singing and moving to the songs. One of our Chiefs asked her to dance with him in the round and two step. It was so cool to see her and know that she felt at home with us.

If you've never been to Philmont. You need to go. It's my favorite place, not just in Scouting but in feeling, atmosphere and beauty. I took my Woodbadge there at Zastro Lodge, three treks as a scout and 2 as a Scoutmaster. I have wonderful and long time friends there, including Doug Palmer on staff, Buddy Morse a long time Cimarron resident, brother Cherokee and scouter and more memories than I can relive in several life times.

Brian R. Gray, Director, Philmont Training Center has been a long time friend and supporter of the Kwahadis. We can't thank him enough for all he's done for us.

Philmont brings out the best in all who hike its trails and has the greatest people working there. GO and see for yourself.

We/I want to thank the Amarillo Globe-News ( check out Amariillo.com for stories on our tour), Margaret Meyers, Features Editor; Brad Newman, staff writer; Steve Pair, New Dircetor at KVII Pro News ( we hope to have Skype interviews along the way on KVII) in Amarillo; Lucas Jefferson, Assignment Editor for KVII Pro News; Mike Wilhelm, The Net Works; and Steve Douglas, fellow photographer, writer and web designer ( this could not of happend with Steve ) for all their help, support and encouragement.

Okay, I'm out the door and off the Kiva.

Come along with us and see what we see through our eyes and words.

John Madden

Winners

Caitlin Dahl won first place in the Texas Indian Hobbyist pow-wow and competition recently, in the Ladies Fancy Shawl. Caitlin is the Head Maiden of the Kwahadi ladies.



Matt Visel (on the right ) won first place in the Northern and Southern Fancy Dance and Colin Lawson won second place in the Southern Fancy Dance. Both Matt and Colin are both former Sahawe Indian Dancers who are going on our tour.

Come and see all three of these champions and all the outstanding dancers.

We leave Sunday for Dallas, Texas and fly out of Dallas, headed to Shannon. Ireland.

Time is racing and we look forward to entertaining, seeing, meeting and getting to know you.

John Madden

Updated Itinerary Posted

Those interested can download the updated itinerary HERE.

You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view file.

A few from last night's dance at the Kwahadi Kiva

We (Mike Wilhelm & myself) had a wonderful time last night watching the dancers. It was our first visit and won't be our last.

Mike and I were amazed by the intensity of these young men & women, not to mention the beauty of the choreography, the amazing colors and driving it all the deep pulsing drum. If last night's show was any indication, I'm sure the Europeans will be thrilled by what these youngsters can do. We also enjoyed the humor, the narration and the important message behind the stories that every child should hear.

Thanks John! Here's hoping you all have a great trip, come back safely and serve as great examples of what the American youth are really like, driven, creative, patriotic and amazingly talented.

-Steve Douglass

Fire Dance

Video of the Fire Dance taken at the Kwahai Kiva last night. Thanks for the invite John. It was just great. The European Tour should garner rave reviews.

The Buzz on the Kwahadi European Tour!

Special thanks to KZBZ the Buzz and KFDA News Channel 10.