Sunday, May 14

After breakfast we all went different directions.  Jeanne, George, Nathan and I went to a state park and went on a 2 mile walk through the woods.  It was very pretty.  

The we all met at the Sitar Indian Restaurant for lunch. We had 22 people.  This was for Nathan's graduation, so it was our treat.  It was a buffet so everyone was happy.  I hope everyone was happy. We talked to some local people and they said it was the best Indian food around.  It was delicious and they had some dishes that I had not had before.  

 

Sharon, Michael, Linda & Miguel had already left. They were driving to DC

After a liesurely lunch we headed back to the hotel.  Jeanne, George, Nathan & I headed off to a swimming hole.  Jim & Pam were heading off to the airport.  Rob & George S had left early in the morning to go back to Ohio.  

We did not actually do any swimming, though Nathan did get into the water.

odd to see a bike on a little island

cute little frog

Took a picture of the hotel carpeting.  I like it.

After getting back to the hotel, Jeanne & I went to the Tiger Rescue Center.  WOW.  very impressive place.  We had a great time.  I really enjoyed seeing all the various wild cats.  They fed some of them treats so they were more active.

we were very close to the animals.

white tiger

This is kinkajou, sort of an odd, racoon type animal.  Not a cat.  It was cute.  Liked  bananas and eating upside down  

The animals were all mostly awake and active.  The lions would start roaring periodically.  

There was a small snafu with dinner.  Even though we had a reservation, they were late seating people, which worked out great because we were late getting there.  Harvest 18 is a farm to table type of restaurant.  Very good food but I was not very hungry.  We placed our orders while we were driving there.  I just had two side dishes. We ordered wine when we got there.

sour cream mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.

This was only with Dorothy & Ed and us.

We headed back to the hotel. Chance to blog tonight instead of in the morning.  What a fun time we have had.  Everything worked out.  Restaurants all ended out being good choices.   

Graduation Day

Jeanne, Pam, Nathan, and I got to the graduation location early to save 18 seats.  Nathan, of course, had to get there early anyway. 

note the all are welcome sign

 Once we got there we found my Uncle Paul, Rachel, Nell & Joe were already there.  Everyone arrived in time for things to start.  We had the usual speakers to welcome.  One special speaker was Nancy.  She is the event planner and very popular.  The students voted to have her speak.  She was the highlight of the speakers.  

Then there was the handing out of the diplomas and hoods.  I moved up toward the front so I did not acutally get a very good picture. 

But luckily some other people got some good ones.

 There is a story about the turtle.  Kind of a family thing.  

After the graduation there was a very nice reception.  We managed to snag a classroom where we all could be together, all 18 of us!!  

Nathan with his cousins, Sharon and Linda.

Nathan and Rebecca

Family photo

Some of us on the roof top garden

We took a tour of the campus to see my old stomping grounds.

A sculpture in front of the school.  A lot of people take pictures here.  After touring the campus we went to the lemur center.  That was very enjoyaable.  Lemurs sure are cute. 

George, Dorothy & Rob - the siblings. 

After the lemur center we regrouped at the hotel.  Then we went to my cousin, Jeep's for dinner.  All 25 of us.  Wow.  I was impressed.  Jeep and Mary Ann provided quite the spread.  Appetizers, beverages and then a huge dinner and desssert.  We had a very nice time.  I took a bunch of pictures but I can't put them all in.  It was fun.  

Elli, Tia (who was graduating from Wake Forest), my cousin Barb and Mary Ann (she and Jeep hosted this fine event)

Three big tables all set.

the back yard.

Friday Free Day

Nathan, George, Jeanne and I went to the Duke Country Club for a brunch provided for the scholarship recipients.  Nathan was one of  19, from all different departments.  I was horribly underdressed, being in jeans & sandles.  Nathan did not say that it was at a country club.  Dresses, high heals and me.  Oh well.  Food was typical buffet breakfast.  ok. We sat with people Nathan knew, so that was fun.  They did awards at the end.  It was nice.

Then we met up with others and went to the Duke Gardens and wandered around.

The is an art structured that is made up entirely with sticks found in the gardens.  

We then went to Parker and Otis for lunch.  It is a soup, salad, sandwich kind of a place.  We wanted something light.

cute sculptures on the wall

After lunch went to a historic Stagville.  A Plantation complex.  We joined a tour there.  Very interesting.  This house is one example of what they called a show or well house.  It is off the ground to reduce problems with bugs.  The overlapping plank walls did the same thing.  The walls were 2 layers thick with space inbetween for broken bricks.  That helped to insulate.  All makes for healthier slaves who would be more productive.  

We then went to The Boot for dinner.  11 of us.  It is an Italian place.  Rob and George Singer had arrived by then  

Jeanne and I split the Chicken Parmasan.

We then went back to Dorothy & Ed's Air B&B for dessert and Nathan gave his presentation of his Master's project.  That was fun.  

With the storm of the previous night a tree fell on the house right next to their B&B.  There have been people all day trying to deal with the problem.  No one was hurt but a lot of damage to the house.

quite a large tree

Thursday, Travel Day

Wednesday morning we headed to the airport at 4:45 in the morning.  The flight to Chicago was on time but we were slightly delayed leaving Chicago.  Nathan and Rebecca were a little late meeting us.  They got stuck in traffic.

Sculpture at the airport 

We were met with cotton candy instead of flowers, what fun 

We drove to the hotel via a stop at a place where Nathan could donate his bike.  Jeanne met us at the hotel.  She had driven from Cleveland.  We headed to the restaurant, The Pit.

Nathan with spiced ginger apple cider 

Dorothy and Ed met us at the restaurant.  Theyare staying at an AirB&B

Jim and Pam arrived in time for the appetizers.  Their flight had been delayed. 

Jeanne and I shared the pulled pork,  sweet potato fries and sautéed vegetables.  We had soooo much food with fried green tomatoes,  deviled eggs , and hush puppies to name a few. 

Just when we were getting ready to leave a huge torrential storm hit. You cannot tell by this photo but it was impressive.  In 15 minutes it was gone  

We hung out in Jim and Pam'so room after dinner 

Graduation Weekend - May 10, 2017

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we head off to Durham, NC for Nathan's graduation from Duke University, with a Master's in Environmental Management.  Rebecca is already there with Nathan.  It will be a quick trip.