TBA
Erik's Graduation: Day 2
The Hult Center for Performing Arts was a lovely venue for Erik's graduation. Oregon's trademark rain also made an appearance, less we forget we're in the Pacific Northwest. Several distinguished speakers and two hours later, we took a bunch of pictures with the new JD... then packed up for the drive to Salem for the post-graduation dinner.
We skipped the post-graduation reception, as it was actually at a different venue than the graduation itself (!). Driving to Autzen stadium for the clubhouse reception seemed cool, until Erik gently reminded us that it would be a total mess, plus Salem was a 90 minute drive away.
In Salem, we met at Uncle Dan's place. Turns out he's got a cherry orchard atop a little hill, which was awesome. Looking down into the valley below, among rows of cherry trees... very different feel than, say, the valleys surrounding Cusco in Peru. :-þ Very different. I think I was far more happy to discover we were surrounded by cherries, even if I was sad they weren't ripe yet!
Along with Uncle Dan were the rest of the Wheeler family, so combined with the Melins, Hillmans, Wons, and a few of Erik's Oregon friends, we had quite a BBQ and party. Good times!