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!!

Lexi's Photo Shoot

My Little Baby Girl is growing up.

She's a Senior now and thinking about what's next. Yesterday she took placement tests for College English and passed through to the highest level. That means she can skip all the remedial and refresher courses in English and start with the highest required level. Woo, woo!!

Also looking ahead, she had her Senior Pictures taken. I don't pretend to understand what kids in high school do these days but she also wanted some more informal, personal Senior pictures and she asked me to take them for her.

I tried to warn her but she insisted and so yesterday she and I went out to get her some Senior pictures. I don't know which ones she'll select, but these are a couple of the ones I like.

First off, I was playing with the pics and came up with these. Michelle liked the sepia one. I was partial to the B&W and I put the color original up just for comparison.

Which one do you like?

                              

Took this one on the steps of the Courthouse.

Pretty, ain't she!?!

In front of the Old Jail Museum.

Near the Town Square.

Hard to get a bad shot with this model...

Sweetness and light....

In a small alley between some law offices.

Then we moved to the Leonardtown Wharf.

Thunderstorms over the bay.

Finally we went to her high school and a last chance of clothes.

I suggested we take one with her jumping in the air and she liked it and wanted to jump from one of the brick benches in front of the school. 

Soooo, we did. Note the flats she is wearing.

We didn't really think this out.

Ready for lift-off!!

She's committed now...

Into the air....

What goes up.....must come down....hard.

Oh, OUCH!!

So we ended our shoot on a sad, and limping, note.

I had a lot of fun with Alexis. Just sorry it had to end on a painful note.

Man, retirement is really getting to be a lot of fun. I'm really loving all the things I'm getting to do.

Let's go to the Library!!

Alright!! A trip to the library!!

Love this retirement thing. Gives me opportunities to do fun things like go to the library with four of my favorite people.

The girls read a lot. Every night they read a couple of stories just before bedtime. These girls know where the Leonardtown Library is.

This was Bucky's first trip to a Library and Addie made sure he had a good time. Unloading the car. These girls don't travel light....never.

Making the trek into the Library. Addie's leading the way along with Bucky and she's hauling the Library suitcase....so they can carry all the books to and fro.

Here we go into the spacious and utilitarian L-Town Library. The Kid's Section and....

The Adult Section.

The first thing was to check in with the Summer Reading Program and turn in the list of books read.

Proud girls got their stickers!!

Then to the Librarian to turn in paperwork for the 500 books the girls have read. Not an easy feat for girls or for Mom.

The girl's (and their Mommy's) accomplishment was recognized by the Library.

The Proud Princesses of the Printed Word....with Pictures.

Their picture is going to be displayed on this for having read more than 500 books before the age of five.

This one was more interested in playing than in getting award.

After the festivities there was a flag scavengers hunt and then time for getting new books and playing with the games in the library.

"Yeah, this is how I roll."

Finally we check out with our stack of books.

And then, when we got to the car, we found that Mommy had "accidently" snagged the book basket on her rather large purse and brought it along with her. Hmmmmm.....she said accident. What do you think?

Love the architecture in Maryland. This beauty is right across the street from the Library.

The Bookcase is full so we head back home. Can you see the blue book basket hanging off Michelle's purse? 

Loved going to the Library with the Grandkids.

This retirement thing is great. 

Wonder why I didn't do it earlier?