A Special Grandson

George and I drove to Knoxville on October 6, 2011 (along with Proud Papa, Jeff, and sister Avery) to watch Grandson Landon play in his band during their high school football game.  Landon is a sophomore at Bearden High School --and is a member of the drum line.

Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums????  I asked Landon if that was hard on his back --and he said it was NOT... Oh---to be young!!!!! ha

I enjoy high school football and marching bands since they bring back so many great memories of my childhood.   I used to play the Clarinet in my high school band --and  seeing Landon's band brings back some of the best memories from my high school...

SO--you can imagine how happy I was to see Landon's  band ---especially that precious drummer pictured above in the middle. (Doesn't he look like he is enjoying himself?)   As you can imagine,  I took LOTS of pictures at the game... Tonight I will just share some photos of the band with you... This is one TERRIFIC band.... I love the uniforms --much better than the 'formal' ones we wore when I was in the band.  Sign of the times for sure!!!!!  (Enlarge for bigger pictures.)

The band performed a fabulous show for us --using the theme,  "Clockworks".   Did I say that this is one AWESOME band?????  WOW--was I impressed!

There is a huge percussion section as part of the band.. That is much different from 1960 when I was in the band.

Can you see Landon in this photo???? He is almost in the middle of the picture.

You can see some of the color guard in this photo (and others).   Besides the color guard,  there were majorettes,  a dance team,  and other groups at the game, including the cheerleaders... There were so many things to see during the game!!!!!

I just had to show you one picture of what our band uniforms looked like in 1960!!!!  From left to right:  Eddie Joe Duffy,  Winfield Rose,  Ralph Shuler,  Jim Scott,  Joyce Bailey,  Trina Lane,  Betsy Banks,  Alice Darnell,  Jane Draper,  and Sammie Rhea Halstead...  We had about 60 members in our band (fairly small school) --and the 'drumline' consisted of a bass drum, and about 4-5 snare drums.  That was IT back then!!!!

Finally,  here is one last picture of my Grandson, Landon.   Isn't he just terrific?????  Of course,  we grandparents are booming with pride!!!!!

Hope you get a chance to see your grandchildren (if you have them).   Grandchildren are very very special!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Whirlpool State Park, New York

When we were visiting George's daughter and hubby in the Buffalo area recently,  they took us to Whirlpool State Park so that we could see the gorgeous Niagara River.  We have visited Niagara Falls twice before --so didn't go there on this trip... But we certainly did enjoy seeing the whirlpool and the Niagara River.

The picture above shows you this wild and raging river from our overlook above.  Don't you love the color of this river?   Below are more!

The Spanish Aero Car (called the Whirlpool Aero Car now) takes people across the river where they can see the whirlpool from above.  George and I rode this car in 2002 --and enjoyed the ride so much!!!!  We were on the Canadian side.  Our ride took us across to the American side and then back to the Canadian side. 

Here's a close-up of the whirlpool...  NOBODY can live if they venture into that whirlpool... It is very strong and dangerous.  It will suck you into that water --never to appear again!  Yipes!

Here are some statistics about the whirlpool.  The depth is 35 feet;  water speed is 22 mph;  descent is 52 feet in 1.2 miles...  There is just so much water here --as the river narrows and is moving so fast, that it doesn't have anywhere to go... Hence---the whirlpool!!!

This picture is looking the other direction toward Niagara Falls. 

While we were visiting the Whirlpool State Park,  a boat (with tourists) came into view.

Here's that boat ---getting close to the whirlpool.. However,  they are smart enough NOT to enter into the whirlpool...  BUT--they do get close.   We did NOT ride on this boat when we came to Niagara Falls in 2002---but we'd love to ride it sometime... See all of the people sitting there (with their life jackets on)?????   That would be so much fun!  BUT--I wouldn't want to get too close to that whirlpool for sure!!!!

Finally,  Kelly took a picture of us at the Whirlpool State Park....

Hope you enjoyed our photos.   IF you ever get to Niagara Falls,  be sure and drive down to see the Whirlpool... AND--be sure to ride the Aero Car and that other boat --if you dare!!!!!

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,
Betsy