Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Rookies.......

Okay...here's where we met up with Grandma Elsie....The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven. Dad and Linda attended with Trent and I...it was a beautiful day. It was an absolutely gorgeous day....most of the regulars told me it is usually so hot you can't stand it.

We arrived at 9am and quickly found a parking spot. I had spoke with G-ma's niece that has gone for many years and she gave me some pointers...parking, arrival time......

My thought...that wasn't so bad...until we tried to find a place to put out our chairs....that was a different story. Apparently they let you start 'saving' spots along the parade route at Thur. 12:01....and it's full by 12:03!!! We could hardly find a spot to put them down...but we did manage to secure a nice spot. After that we walked to the craft show and Trent got his face painted and I got a Henna Tattoo. We waited for probably 45 minutes for our turn. But it was worth the wait.....
We had 2nd row seats..... Dad, Trent Linda, G-ma, Janet & Jack
They actually let Trent and I come down and sit on the curb..that was sooo nice of the people that were in the front row! See the man with the camera...check back later so see why that is significant.....
This is a band made up of all plastic barrels and pails, they were very entertaining!
After the parade, we walked down to the waterfront and toured 3 ships that were there. Here's Captain Trent. They were pretty massive.....
Lots of stairs to climb and very steep.....

Dad and Trent ringing the bell on one of the ships......
This is a shot...which doesn't do it justice....of the sea of blankets awaiting the Fireworks show.We didn't stay for the fireworks show but they say it is pretty spectacular....maybe next year. They said 200,000 people attended the show and it is a nightmare getting out of town....so we didn't attempt it.....maybe another time!!

7 comments:

The Hendersons said...

great pictures.. and you obviously had a great time. i am glad you guys are enjoying your summer! but.. no pictures of elsie? where's the elsie?

Vicki said...

I can not believe people actually taped "on" the grass to save their area. You would think a blanket would be enough. Looks like you had fun though. Trent's American face is cute! What kind of tatoo did you get?? and where dare I ask?

~joanne said...

Tod....G-ma is in the 2nd picture

Vicki....I got some flowers & swirls around my ankle...nothing daring or permanent!!

Dawn said...

I love trent's face !! Too Cute!!
What kind of paint do they use?

~joanne said...

She was using a paint that actors would use. She did some beautiful flowers and butterflies for some of the girls!

Carolyn =^..^= said...

Absolutely love Trents face!! I want to see your henna tat!! You're going to post a pic, right? Did they tell you the tradition behind those? Before women in India get married, they get a henna tat on their hands and are not to do housework until it fades. I like that tradition.

The Hendersons said...

is grandma sitting in a 'big bubba' chair?? those are FANTASTIC!! that grandma is too cool.

also.. nice shot of the side of her face! LOL