Thursday-Friday - May 2 and 3

 Hello from Lake James where we arrived around 2:45 this afternoon (spending 3 nights at Michael and Brooke's.    Here's  recap of yesterday/today

Thursday - we were up early and out the door at 7:10 AM for 8:00 graduation.  Lots and lots of people in line waiting for the doors to open at 7:30.    We connected with rest of the family, got our seats and then thrills and chills as Pomp and Circumstance played over and over as the graduates processed into Reynolds Coliseum.

Good speakers and then the conferment of diplomas.....Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is the 2nd largest department at NC State after the school of business.   The ceremony lasted 2 hours and then we walked out into very warm bright sunshine.   Had coffee at Java Cafe in the student union and then pictures at the Bell Tower.    Lunch at The Village Draft House (very good) and back to The Loft where family was staying to change into casual clothes.

Judy, Brooke, Blair, Mark and I walked to The Village District and Blair and I got some Boba tea (she did not like it).   We set up Sky Jo on the patio and so pleasant playing this game which I won!

Walked back to the Loft and played euchre.   Bob and Michael joined us.  Fun afternoon and then time to change clothes again for our celebratory dinner with Davis at Capital Grille.    This is one of Michael's favorites but 1st time for Mark and me.   Excellent meal, service and ambiance.   Said our good byes and Davis took us back to the campground which is fairly close to his house which he shares with 4 other guys.    Michael is driving my car back to the lake tomorrow which is much appreciated.  On May 31st, we'll be back at the lake to celebrate Davis and Brady (graduates on the 30th). 

Memory from 8 years ago at Davis's 8th grade graduation

Submitted by Philip

College graduation

Bell Tower - landmark on North Carolina State campus - Raleigh

Davis with Grandma and Grandpa

Davis and Grandparents

Davis and Blair

Lunch at The Village Draft House

Not a fan of boba tea

Playing SkyJo

The graduate

Dinner at Capital Grille

Judy, Brooke, Blair, Davis, Michael, Mark, Pat, Bob

Friday - Enjoyed a good night's sleep after our big day but had a leisurely morning getting ready to travel again,    I rode with Mark in Big Red pulling Flo and away we went around 9:30.    Stopped for diesel in Mebane and then near Winston Salem (Kernersville) lunch at Cracker Barrel.    Michael and Mark had on headsets and he helped guide us in on Brady's basketball court.

Brady came oui to Flo for a good chat.   Michael took us for a nice boat ride over to Philip's dock.    Had a good visit with Annette and Maeve (Luke, too) and their friends Keith and Doug on the dock!   Back home for delicious BBQ (brisket, ribs and pork) + potato salad, baked beans and jalapeno grits.

Brady - so excited about his Notre Dame college career coming soon!