pretty much just a bunch more photos

not any real plot lines here, we are in town to visit family and grandson, so that's pretty much what we have done with the brief exception as noted in previous post.  So it is back to documentation of intended purpose.  

which we have been fairly diligent in doing.  Here is Grandmama getting grandson ready for bed.  Once he gets on that bedtime routine, he is lights out asleep-put him in the bed - no fuss- no muss.

 bath- pajamas - little book reading - a bottle -- a song -- and "here we come blue bear and pacifier where have you been all day, my I am glad to see you ! "

 That is after a day of being familiar with Deuce, as I have mentioned, sainthood is to be credited.

 putting up with dramatic readings -- or sound playing of Micky Mouse solves some fake problem.

 introduction to finger painting with Mom.

 Early indications are the Sistine Chapel will remain unchallenged as a work of art.

 Deuce and Derby keeping a wary eye out for a playmate

Sentenced to life in a playpen.  Note the thrilled expression.  Like he has no toys

and a photo of son and me on a balcony of one of those tall skinny tower apartment buildings that hug the coast of Panama city -- this one belonging to a friend who was hosting us for diner.

and the view from said balcony -- it was overcast - like most of the other late afternoons.  We have seen some serious rain -- somewhat like home-- somewhat

Ilsa Grande

This past weekend, we made a one day trip to Isla Grande on the Atlantic side of Panama.  A baby sitter was staying with Raleigh and Stephen had access to a car so off we went.  The drive was really pleasant, interstate style highways and very nice country roads with one brief interesting stretch through a little town that was jammed.  This photos does not come close to capturing the chaos of this stretch of road.

We took a little motor boat from a busy little dock and parking lot place

a nice short 10 - 15 minute ride

and there is our hotel, and dockside restaurant where we both stayed and had dinner.

just a view of more of the hostels and tourist places

this is us going into the warren of little cottages where we stayed.  I forget the name of the place.

The end of the Island was uninhabited and real rocky with a rocky shore that was quite pretty.

the rocks were volcanic and quite rough 

On the way back we stopped at an old fort from the early 1700s the made me wonder if  Captain Jack Sparrow had been here.

He would have liked my hat.  No one else does

And actually while Jack may not have been, the British Navy certainly has.  Below is a photo of a painting from Wikipedia public domain, Samuel Scotts depiction of Admiral Vernon of the British Navy attacking and ultimately defeating the Spanish at Fort Portobello in 1739. 

He occupied and destroyed the fort and this is what is left.  His victory was received with great joy I understand throughout the colonies.  I did not perceive any lasting animosity at this particular location so I guess they have decided to let bygones be bygones.  (or perhaps Patt and I do not look British)

moe pictures of the grandson

If you might get tired of looking at photos of our youngest grandson, then perhaps this particular post is not for you.  it is for us though to share and to remember with.

Hotel pool was fun but now all the time.  We tried several things to find something we both enjoyed and the efforts were generally short lived.  See photo below.

There were several pieces of deck furniture in the pool which were ideal, I thought for playing on.  Oh well, silly me.  (I edited me out me from this picture-- those with the photo editor do have a little power that is much under appreciated)

One thing that was fun for a while was catching the heavy drips of rain running off of the sun shelter on the pool deck.  (there was a brief intense rain shower while we were swimming - surprise surprise - rain in Panama, who would have expected it?).

and guess who much prefers to be carried than to be sentenced to being imprisoned in a stroller.

 Note the grin behind the pacifier - and note the second pacifier  in the right hand and "blue bear" in the other.   That grin represents Granddad violating major house rules in allowing all three items out of the crib area.  Who knew?

We spent some time with a host of other kids with young moms, nannies, and grandparents at a nearby by playground.  the baggy pants I liked.

In Panama again

It is good to be here again and see our youngest grandson, Raleigh.  Despite the apprehension shown here, with this askance look towards me, he does appear glad to have visitors from the north - and quickly recognized us as special (that is our story and we are sticking to it)

Our hosts have made arrangements for us in a hotel just around the corner from their new apartment.

 and I will have to do a blog on this relationship shown in photo below.  Deuce and Raleigh and who could be called with complete justification, Deuce the wonder dog.  What she puts up with would make Thomas Paine shudder.

see what I mean

and we are providing a very good audience for Raleigh to entertain.  He is proving to be quite the entertainer and we are a willing and encouraging audience.

Referencing the earlier mention of their new apartment, the view out of the main room dinning/ living/ kitchen, (great room?) window - and corresponding breeze is fabulous.  This is what I am looking at as I sit at the dinning room table- it is due south by the way.

 and from the kitchen bar, food prep area and over the living room area , this is the view- which is west for those of you orienting yourselves and is also stunning.  The north view is into the side of the Waldorf hotel and the pool deck.

Big day for the Gunny

• Yesterday Andrew got promoted to Marine Corps Gunnery Sargent at the New River Marine Air Station.  It was quite the big deal.  Here is his Sargent Major reading him his rank and orders while his Colonel looks on.  You will note that apparently the barber stays fairly busy.

Then Eric, Jenna, and Barb pinned Andrew's new lapel pins on that designated new rank

following which, peers and others friends/crew chiefs/ pilots and such who had been lined up watching gave the ole well done and welcome to a new club secret hand shake and stuff.

The large number of unwashed civilians in attendance then got into the picture.  Note the large rain puddles in the background.  We had the benefit (?) of eastern NC's humidity and heat as the rain was before and after the ceremony but not during.  It was not one of those blue sky days.

Being on base and "knowing someone who was "someone", we then went into one of the large hangers where helicopters are repaired.  In the foreground are the propellers and which are seen in the photo below

the two helicopters in the background, minus propellors, are for some reason gray, matching the sky.

there were helicopters as far as you could see, coming and going, landing and taking off as New River is a major training facility for -- you guessed it - helicopter flying.

Here is a photo of Andrew with Jenna, who with Andrew did a wonderful job hosting all that crowd of civilians at their home in Wilmington for dinner after the tour of the hanger.

and here is Andrew with yours truly and you will notice that Andrew has a big grin in both photos.  In fact that grin was Andrew's companion the entire day.  It was indeed a good day for Andrew.