Final California photos

What a way to start April Fool's Day. We've finally made it to the last of the photos. These are mostly wedding photos and are of people I know quite well. So this may not be very interesting to many, especially if you aren't into seeing wedding shots.


We pick up with Joseph's brother Bob now at the church. Here he is getting his boutonniere,


as were the rest of the groomsmen.


There were smiles all around


and a church filled with beautiful flowers and organza.


The back of the wedding announcement said it all.


I took lots of photos


of the church,

the mission style furniture,


and the flowers.

Although this was not my first Catholic wedding, they are always quite different.


My friend Troy saying a prayer before the service,


and Joseph's mother waiting to be seated.


Some people gathered in the back of the church,


while others took their seats quickly,


eagerly awaiting the event.


It wouldn't


be long now.


Joseph and Meredith exchanged vows,


then everyone stood for final words.


The reception was held at a Lake Club, and each of the tables had one of these lovely centerpieces.


The tables looked full even before any food was served.


Some of my friends who attended the wedding.


Joel flew in from western Kansas after a snow storm derailed him for a day.


Other friends came who Joseph and I have known for years.


And of course, Joseph's 3 sisters and one sister-in-law would be joined soon by Joseph's wife.


But for now, they were just cutting up, even as the lights dimmed.


All eyes were on Joseph and Meredith entering the room.


They looked so happy,


and unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of their first dance. Everything was jumbled.


Later, when the lights were on again, Meredith's father presented his toast to the couple,


then Joseph's father gave his toast.


Sadly, I didn't get a good photo of the shaker that Joseph and Meredith had made for each person. They were passed out before one of the songs was played and you can see the heart is made from both their thumb prints. Very clever, indeed.

I admit, I had a wonderful time after we returned to the hotel, and stayed up all night. Unfortunately I left my camera in one of the rooms and only remembered it the next day, just as Beau was checking out and leaving the hotel. I was very lucky, because it was laying right by the telephone in his room. I couldn't believe I had misplaced it twice. I think I need a strap or something for it. Other than that, the entire night was fun, especially after everyone and everything (including the booze and flowers) got to the hotel.


The next day Scott and I joined several people on the patio, as we waited for Scott's dad to get there for us. The coffee was perfect, and the paper cozies can be altered.


Friends joined us


and we laughed and shared thoughts about the night before.


I could tell Scott's dad was tired when he arrived to pick us up. After all, he had already driven over six hours. He relaxed while we said our good-byes to others, including Joseph and Meredith who were on their way to the airport that would take them to Belize.





It took forever to get out of the city. I didn't think we would ever make it. In fact, it took us until nearly midnight to get to Kingman, AZ, where we once again spent the night at Rusty's friend's house. And it was about that time that I started getting sick. I slept through the night, and slept most of the way home.

I am not sure when I started getting sick, but I know I'm still not well. Just when I think I'm better, I get sick again, just like I did yesterday. However, one thing I know for sure. Monday I will be heading to the post office, since it appears the postal people are not planning to bring my mail to me. So I hope I have nothing important waiting on me, like a big bar of chocolate or something similar! Have a great weekend everyone.

More California shots

I hope you aren't too tired of my California trip. I realize some of it will be photos of friends, which could be boring. But right now,

it was time to get my first look at the hotel where everyone was staying. This photo and the one below were the only good ones that I got from my other camera.


This shows Joseph and Meredith rehearsing the day before. Sadly, I got no photos of the rehearsal dinner, which was also Meredith's birthday.


As I looked over Joseph's final checklist the morning of the wedding, I realized where I might have left my camera. After a call to them, I hopped on the Interstate and headed their way. Yep, they definitely had my little pink camera that looks like a phone.


When I got back to the hotel, I was in charge of taking people to the church, if they wanted a ride.


I didn't stop taking photos, though, because I was so glad to get the camera back.


I took lots of photos,


including shots of the wedding party


and many of Joseph's friends, before they left the hotel.


Joseph's brother, who also lives in Wichita, was definitely looking like the best man. I'll share photos of the wedding, the after party, and the day after, later in the week, as well as the trip home.

The trip to California begins

I have no memory of the last time I failed to leave a daily post, but it's pretty obvious I haven't written one since Tuesday. I managed to do my laundry and pack my bag away, but my art bag is still sitting on my "Work Desk" table, where I dropped it the day I got home. Over the next few days, I'll try to catch you (and me) up on things, hoping to get back into the swing of things. For the moment, I still feel like this really nasty bug loves me so much it's moved in.

Regardless, I will try to add a few photos a day until I get them on my blog. Don't worry. I took well over a thousand photos, so you'll see only a fraction of them.

If you've never lived in, or traveled through, New Mexico or Arizona, (southwestern states), I think you will enjoy these photos. We left central Kansas Monday evening (Feb 28), drove all night, stopped only for gas and pit stops, and found ourselves on the other side of Santa Fe, NM when I took these first photos.



By now, we have traveled through three states (Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico).


Don't you just LOVE these old signs? I think they were around the last time I drove to California (back in the early199os).


It's still New Mexico because of the red clay


and flat topped rock formations called "mesa's." By now we were well past Albuquerque.


The next time I took photos we were near Flagstaff, AZ. We're making pretty good time, I would say. You can see the many evergreens, pines, and other greenery just outside our windows.




I couldn't help taking a photo of the elk we needed to watch for!





The closer to Flagstaff we got, the colder it got.


The guys wanted hot coffee, and I did, too. They each had pie and called Scott's mom. Then they got out the computer and Scott checked both their e-mails, since they were looking for information from the gentleman whose house we would be staying in that night.

I have no idea why I didn't take photos of the house where we stayed in Kingman, AZ, but I think we were all quite tired and just wanted to eat a quick sandwich and head for bed. The pool was beautiful and had lovely lighting as evening descended. And to think we stayed there twice and I got no photos.

The next morning we gassed up before heading to California. Scott and Rusty both got some yummy looking pastries. I never eat early in the morning. Just can't do it.

Like everyone entering California, we were stopped at a mandatory weigh station and asked if we were carrying any fruit or veggies. By this time, the guys were starting to think about breakfast. So after about an hour or so of driving in California, we stopped at one of those tourist type places. I had a basket of french fries and the guys both had biscuits and gravy. For some reason, that was all I wanted and knew it would last me the entire day.


Here is the interior of the restaurant All I really wanted was a photo of the horseshoes and other goodies nailed to the rafters or beams (whatever they were called).






Outside, I took a lot of photos. After all, we (actually Rusty) had paid for the 1940s or 1950s ambiance in the restaurant. Then we headed into the desert, where I'll start the next post (as soon as I have a few more photos off my camera).

BTW, the photos at the second restaurant were taken with my Vivitar. The rest were taken with my Kodak Zi6. And yes, you'll read the saga in full as it progresses.