Parris Island and Jennifer!!

After my visit with the Ray's, it was off to Florida to visit more family. But, along the way, I had to go over a couple of bridges. Lately, I've been a little leery of going over bridges. Especially high, tall, way-up-in-the-air bridges. Sure enough, right away I have to deal with a.....bridge.

Those guard rails don't look all that secure!! I mean, I'd prefer if they were about 4 or 5 feet tall. Don't worry about the view I just don't want to slew off over the side.

And when's the last time it was inspected? I mean, there are a lot of things that could go wrong here. 

Like the good soldier I am, I gritted my teeth and, carefully, drove on. 

So if you're driving with me and you see me start to get a little edgy look for a bridge.

I was taken with all the clouds on the East Coast. I mean, honestly, Seattle skies don't hold a candle to these babies. And I saw them everyday. I really restrained myself from putting a lot of them on this blog. Yeah, thank me later. 

Finally, after numerous bridges, I made it to Jen's place. Nice house, eh?

Seagrove's celebrate by eating out and soooooo, off we went to the local authentic German Restaurant!! Hey!! Jen!! Wait up for me!!

I had a great meal, which I forgot to get a picture of (I know, go figure). But it was an authentic German Salad. I ate it all including the green beans!! Woo, woo!!

OK, I restrained myself taking pictures inside. Don't want to embarrass Jennifer. I thought the decor was decidedly authentic German, right?

I've been to MCRD, San Diego, in fact I had an extended vacation there way back in '66. Anyway, I've always wanted to see how the other half lives so I decided to tour around MCRD, Parris Island.

Where they make Marines. It was a bit more modern and, man, what a PX they have there. Still some of the buildings here are timeless.

Ha, ha....this scene hasn't changed in years. Boots marching. These Boots were at the rifle range. They have their range right on post and shoot out towards the ocean.

  

By the grinder, I found this....Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. 

Semper Fidelis

I had a good tour around the Depot and went into a museum to learn a little more about the history of Parris Island. used to only be able to get to the Island by boat. I imagine recruits felt a little more than isolated back then.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to drive through old Beaufort, too. I walked along the river.

And through some of the old neighborhoods.

All in all an interesting day. 

Catch-Up

I've had such a great vacation and it doesn't seem to stop!! I had a great visit in Maryland with the Ray's. I got plenty of shots but here's a couple more. It's funny, but all the time I had there I was thinking just now, "why didn't I get that shot? Where's all the kids together?" Argh!!

My stay in Maryland was great. 

Who wouldn't want to wake up and start the day with this girl?? Ain't she a cutie!?!

It was always fun around the Ray Table. Someone is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed early in the morning. Well, OK, one out of three isn't that bad.

And she was a good eater!! Not very neat but a very good eater!!

Chris and Lexi were heading off to Youth Conference....early in the morning. Yeah, I was thinking bright-eyed, too!!

The previous day before they left, I got a shot of Chris in the front yard. Good-looking, eh?

And I got a shot of this pixie, too!! Again, good-looking!! See a trend here!?!

Oh, and my homemade Ice Box Pickles. Chris and I made two jars and the Ray's kept one. They were tasty but you really have to love them to make that many.....not a lot of uses for them afterwards.

It was time for me to move on and these happy campers came out to see me on my way.

On the road, again. I was back on the road again....

Got a lot of pictures of clouds while in the south. Don't quite see'em like this in the Great American Pacific Northwest.

Heading down to see Jennifer, Darcie & Steve and Dave & Fran.

Hooah!!