Darlene's RN Recognition

Our daughter recently graduated from a demanding "fast track" program resulting in her BS degree in Nursing. This was an intense program with minimal breaks over an almost three year period. A
failing grade on any course would result in being dismissed from the program.

 Darlene preferred that we attend the recognition ceremony in August rather than the university graduation last May. This would be a smaller more intimate ceremony. Darlene worked several part time jobs along with raising five children including one with special needs and still finished with a 3.3 average.

The fist picture is of the RN nursing graduates. We all stood asking the same question, "where is Darlene?"  We were sitting with Darlene's family, Joylene's (Darlene's twin) family, yet we did not pick her out of the RN group.

Darlene had just left the stage. Each nurse was presented with a red rose and they then gave the rose to the person who they deemed a  person who had contributed encouragement, praise and love during the program. Darlene was walking up the aisle looking very pensive. We had no idea who she was walking towards.

I took several pictures of Darlene after the ceremony was completed, This is my favorite. To me, she looks proud and pleased with her accomplishments. I think her face shows an inner peace and self satisfaction. Carol and I were so pleased for her and so very proud of her.

This was taken after Darlene changed into street clothes. She is pictured with her mom holding the rose that Darlene had given her during the ceremony. I remember the various calls to her mom when she would say that she would never make it or I can't learn this subject. Carol would listen and tell her she could and would do it. I also remember how excited she was when in her clinicals she was allowed to "catch" her first baby as it was born. We were excited for her at the time.

The following picture is of the cousins. The little man on the left is Joylene's son Connor. The little man on the right is Darlene's son Aiden. This was the first time that the two boys met and they became fast friends. I had to include their picture here.

Michigan Thumb lighthouses

Carol's Michigan Daughter recently graduated with her BS in Nursing. She told us that she would prefer us to come for the "pinning" ceremony. I decided that we would accomplish several events at the same time. Our first priority was to stop and see my cousins. Once that was done, I wanted to drive up the Michigan thumb and see several lighthouses.

The first light that we saw was the Port Sanilac Lighthouse pictured below. It is now privately owned and the best view is from the breakwater adjacent to the property. I also took a picture of the moored sailboats in the marina in front of the light.

The second lighthouse on our itinerary was the Harbor Beach Lighthouse located out on a breakwater. There was a neat little park nearby. The flags were at haft mast honoring a local Marine who recently died in Afghanistan from wounds.

The last lighthouse that we visited was Pointe Aux Barques. This light is located on a beautiful site over looking Lake Huron. Following are pictures of the information sign, the lighthouse and the oil house.

We left this area and drove to Midland, Michigan where we would meet Carol's daughter and family from Tallahassee who was also coming for the ceremony.

Columbia River Gorge - Lewis & Clark

As we visited the Columbia River Gorge, we came upon many sites that paid homage to Lewis and Clark and their exploration as they searched for a route to the Pacific Ocean.

Clark liked to hike and climb the highest point to survey the land. The peak below was one such point. From that highest point he saw a snow capped mountain and named it Mt. Jefferson in honor of the president. The land is now private and not available for the public to climb.

 The next three picture are the signage describing Clark and what he saw.

 From this vantage point , one could see MT. Hood in the distance and below was a rail road yard. We saw many trains while we were out west, some over a mile long.

 A closer shot of MT. Hood.

The Columbia River Gorge visit had been a dream of mind for many years. When I decided to actually fulfill my dream, Carol asked if we could see the Redwoods and so we did. We had planned on seeing Yellowstone before returning home. Quite frankly, I ran out of gas. We decided to slowly head home to Florida when we left Hood river, Oregon.  It was a great trip and except for the collision with a rather large bird and my windshield in the Blue Mountains in Oregon, uneventful.

By no means are our travels over for this year. We have a family function in Massachusetts soon and one in Michigan in August.

Columbia River Gorge - Scenery

Carol and I devoted several days to driving along the Columbia River on the Washington State side and the Oregon side. Following are various pictures that I took during those drives. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

 These two pictures were taken on a particularly windy day. In the last picture there is a wind surfer out on the river along with a barge being pushed up river.

Columbia River Gorge - Waterfalls

 When we left Vista House, I had wanted to drive up to Larch Mountain. From the highpoint, five Cascade Mountains would be visible. However the road was still closed due to snow. Then we set off to see the waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The first on our list would have been Latourell Falls but the trail was closed. It seems there had been a very bad ice storm during the winter and that trail was unsafe due to storm damage. We pushed onward to Bridal Veil Falls. The trail was open and it was a dandy, loose gravel with a continuous downgrade. I hoped this waterfall was worth it as the return hike was all uphill. The following picture is representative of the entire trail.

Following are two pictures of the Bridal Veil Falls.

 We reciprocated with another couple and took each other pictures at the overlook to the base of the falls. Definitely worth the hike.

Waukeena Falls was the next falls that we encountered. I liked this one, no hike. The picture was taken from the scenic pull off.

 I did cross the street and followed the stream from the falls and took this picture.
 

 Multnomah Falls was the one falls that everyone told me was a "must see". My first picture tries to give the viewer a sense of the height from which the water falls. This first picture does not show that mid way the water drops onto a ledge before continuing to the base.

The following picture gives a better view of the water dropping off the ledge. Note the viewing bridge in this picture. Years ago a huge bolder dropped down landing in the pool sending a massive gush of water up and covering this bridge. Several viewers were badly hurt.

 I have a cranky knee and I no longer do stairs easily. I was happy to see that a winding ramp had been built to allow wheel chair access to this bridge. Again we found a nice couple to take our picture. From the picture you see that I was quite comfortable in the cooler weather and Carol was wearing her sweatshirt.

 Last on the list was Horsetail Falls. No Hike no climb, easily visible from the scenic pull off.

I can see how the falls got its name. It was a very enjoyable morning and we set off to have lunch.

Columbia River Gorge - Vista House

  Vista House, pictured below, is located at Crown Point on the historic Columbia River Highway 30. I struck up a conversation with the volunteer docent. It was dedicated in 1918. The then governor of Oregon had a summer home nearby. As he related to me, the ladies after bouncing around in their "tin Lizzie's" needed a rest stop. He told me wait until you see the number of stalls and urinals in the bathroom. Keep in mind that at that time there were only one thousand registered cars in Oregon. There were 10 stalls and as many urinals. Carol told me the ladies room was as generous with the facilities. The lower level was done completely in beautiful white marble and was spotless.

 Two interior pictures follow. The first shows the marble and the second the dome ceiling.

Inside the gift shop there were several items from the period when Vista House was built. Carol especially liked the Indian artifact. I liked the detail on the dress.

 I took several pictures from this vantage point of the Columbia River below. These two are representative of the vistas afforded us.

 

While we were taking pictures, I opened the rear hatch so our "boys" could get fresh air.  Pillo is on the left and is a pure Chihuahua. Gizmo, our rescue, is on the right. The local vet says he is about 85% Yorkie. I must say they traveled well and were well behaved in all the hotels.