After four days and around 150 interviews, the San Diego tour stop has been monumental. We had some glorious days set up in the sunshine at Balboa Park where we heard many inspiring aha moments.

From battling cancer through baking to mentoring distracted teens to solving the world’s clean water crisis to starting a food truck, every person that stepped into the Airstream had an incredible story to share. In between it all we relished in the laid back charm, delicious burritos (preferably Californian) and beautiful weather that this fine city has to offer. 

It’s nice to be back,

Dave

It all started for us when Molly and Katy created a jingle to the words, “this is our aha moment.” A two part harmony and some fish/brisket/smoked shrimp tacos later, we found ourselves madly in sweet taco sister love. 

The romance only got better when the Mutual of Omaha aha crew was invited to come learn the ropes ourselves. There could not be any sweeter, more funny, more spunky taco makers out there. I’ll just add that they wake up before the break-of-the-break of dawn to start the smoking process on the fish. And it is well worth it.

And all of this from a powerful phone call between the girls when they decided that, no matter what relocation necessary, they would finally open up a restaurant together and pursue their dream.

This story is for all of us who once had a dream to open a restaurant/start a business/make tacos. Thanks, Katy and Molly.

Jess

Pictured above is Dave, our fearless technical producer returning with me from Mutual of Omaha’s 2010 aha moment tour. Witty, sarcastic, quick to change the XM satellite radio station to reflect the current mood, and always scurrying around with cameras to get the shot, he’s been the best co-worker and traveling counterpart a gal like me could have.

But sometimes life throws some curve balls and I’ve been told by many that they can be game-changing. Dave was traveling in New York last week with his girlfriend and both were involved in a pretty serious car accident. While I can’t discuss their injuries I can say that we’ve received some good news about our comrade. Situations like these usher in perspective and Dave has decided to remain at home with his friends and family for the duration of the summer.

I have the greatest respect and appreciation for Dave. He has captured inspiring stories like yours and mine with an impressive level of passion and excellence. He set the bar incredibly high for the next person, and succeeding him won’t be an easy task. In a few days we will introduce our new face to the tour (surprise! he’s already on board with us), but until then our thoughts and prayers go out to Dave and his girlfriend. Both are dear friends to all of us here at the aha moment tour and we wish them the best.

Here are a few (of many) things we will miss this summer:

• Listening to Dave hopelessly order fresh-squeezed OJ from the least promising restaurants
• Adopting shortened Aussie nicknames for things such as “brekie” for breakfast, and “ice lolly” for popsicle
• Dave’s well-honed hotel cart navigation skills (should we push from the front or the back?)
• And lastly, watching Dave belt opera tunes during karaoke night to an astonished bar crowd.

Dave, my dear friend and faithful aha moment-recording companion, we love you and will miss you greatly this summer. There’s a lot we’ll need to account for…

With greater perspective than I started with,

Jess

We met Paul and Joyce at Randol’s, a restaurant/dancehall in Lafayette. We convinced them to come and share their aha moment which came when after 25 years of marriage they decided to take up dancing.

Here, in the first of our “Behind the Scenes” videos, is what ensued after the interview ended. We’ve had a lot of singing in the Airstream before, but never this…

- Dave  

One of the fine folk we met in Fayetteville was Steve Wilkes. His Aha Moment came when he discovered a note in his father’s wallet years after he was killed in a tragic car accident.

Steve was at a point in his life where he was struggling to improve with his music, and the note gave him practical tips on how he could better himself as a drummer. It was as if his father was communicating with him directly.

We decided to go and check out Steve’s skills on the skins at Copeland’s restaurant. In this “In the Moment” video, Steve talks about the relationship and influence of his father, and we get a tasty glimpse of one of Fayettville’s finest drummers.

-Dave

Romance & Cowboys in Waco

There’s a venue in Waco called Wild West, where men and women of all ages come and do the Texas Two Step. It’s the sort of place where a boy asks a girl to dance, takes her by the hand and leads her to the dance floor. Cowboy boots gracefully shimmy across the floor, while the DJ spins slow country songs.

Lord knows how many romances have blossomed on those dusty floorboards. One man who is no stranger to love is The Cassanova Cowboy. We met him at Wild West and the next day he was willing to guide us through the wooing process of his poetry.

Dave