Adventures in the North Cascades

Pioneer day weekend we enjoyed camping with our ward. It was great to have time to sit around and chat with everyone. After the ward campout, Sean and I took SLiK for one last road trip. He goes on the market tonight or tomorrow, depending on when I get around to posting the ad. We went up into the North Cascades. It was a beautiful drive. There were gorgeous rock formations, Evergreens and snow capped peaks. We took a short hike/walk to Rainy Lake. It was thankfully, not rainy at all. The trail was still partially covered in snow but it was super sunny out. The lake was a beautiful green/blue from the "glacial flour" the sediment left behind as glaciers crunch slowly over rocks. Hooray for a nice sunny weekend and we didn't even get a sunburn.

Adventures in Ohio

We took a quick weekend trip to Columbus to check it out as a potential post doctorate position. Columbus was celebrating the opening of a new downtown water splash park and was alive with people and activity. We had a good time roaming around and took a walk along their basically deserted riverfront. Apparently everyone was too busy at the splash park. Seriously, we hardly passed anyone during the entire walk. Then we headed to their arts district and had a yummy locally sourced dinner. How Seattle of us is that? It was followed by a delicious 4 scoop ice cream at the local hot spot. Yumm. While we were other there we also went to a conservancy where they were releasing butterflies.

Adventures to Nature Relieve Stress

We've had a lot of important events going on so we've been unwinding as we go with a few car trips and outdoor excursions around Seattle.



Following Sean's graduation we took a drive up to Anacortes where his parents were going to spend a few days. We had a nice lunch with them and then drove back via Deception Pass, it was one more place to check off of Sean's bucket list for the Seattle area. It was a little on the cold side, as summer has been very hesitant to join us. We had a good time walking across the bridge checking out the whirlpools and exploring the beach.



The day after Sean defended his dissertation we took a drive down to Mount St. Helen's. It was a pretty clear day and Sean was able to get several nice shots of the Mountain. We went for a nice walk from one view point to the next and checked out the Visitor's Center. It had great personal stories from those who had witnessed the eruption close up and throughout the Northwest. It was pretty crazy to read the stories and personal accounts. It's easy to forget how powerful the earth is when it lays dormant most of the time. There was also a video detailing various events on the day of the blast. As a taxpayer, I would like my money back on whomever we paid to do that video. The clips were pieced together so that they moved in opposite directions at once. It made me totally nauseous, Sean was even bothered by it. Bleh, I don't recommend it. However, it was still a great and relaxing adventure.

That's Dr. Adventure to you

Sean walked in UW Commencement on June 11. His parents, as well as his Uncle Rick and Aunt Sharon from Portland, were able to join us in the festivities. We had fun texting Sean trying to figure out where he was sitting (3rd row back kind of close to the aisle). I managed to get a few good shots of him with his super telephoto lens that he left me. Through all of the graduation festivities and taking pictures, I've actually managed to learn how to use some of Nikki the Nikon's features (that's his camera).

We took a few pictures in advance to send out with the invitation so this may be a repeat for a few of you, but we like it.

Doesn't he look sharp in his sweet tam (that's the hat) & robes?

I took all of these.

He was able to sit next to one of his former roommates, Joe Dee who also just finished up his PhD.

I'm the wife of a Dr. Whoot! Whoot!








Sean was able to keep his robes for a few days after graduation so we made a special effort to get to the Harry Potter Library (Suzzallo Library) on campus. Isn't this the coolest library ever? According to the sorting hat at the Harry Potter exhibit we visited last year, Sean's in the house of Ravenclaw; that's where all the smart kids are at.




On June 24th Sean did his formal dissertation presentation and defense to his committee. They of course approved and he is completely and officially Dr. G. We invited a bunch of folks from his lab to the Ram for Happy Hour/ Dinner to celebrate. It was such a big loud group that a few folks who were seated near us opted to move. It was a ton of fun visiting with everyone.

In honor of his graduation I wanted to get Sean an ipad, but he kept declining and saying no, so instead he got a ton of UW gear.

Also in honor of his graduation I put on my domestic hat, so to speak and whipped up a tam shaped cake.