Heading South

We went to the lower 48 to celebrate two weddings and hang out with family. Both weddings were wonderful and amazing. Lewis and Tarifa's was like something straight out of a storybook, absolutely luxurious, at a famous California winery. Unfortunately, our photography skills do not match the perfection of the event, but this picture sort of captures the setting.



The flower girl and ring boy performed their duties admirably.




A silhouette of Lewis and the supporting men. Again, we apologize for our photography.



Here comes the bride:



The magic words are said, and off they go, into the sunset! Congratulations Lewis and Tarifa!



Actually, at this point, the fun was just beginning. Paxson Revel was so inspired he decided to try for a little romance with the ladies.



After some post-wedding, pre-reception mingling, we were directed to take our assigned seats in the banquet hall. The members of the wedding party were introduced, culminating with the stars of the show. Upon being introduced, Lewis and Tarifa proceeded to perform a fully choreographed ballroom dance. Awesome! Bollywood!



You could really feel the love, and that's what these things are all about. A lifetime of it. After the dancing came the exquisite five course, five wine meal, interspersed with perfectly appropriate and occasionally tear-jerking speaches. It was a true gala affair. We were honored to be part of it. Lewis and Tarifa are so thoughtful, they even gave Paxson Revel his very own place setting!

Like Jake and Megan's wedding, we took no pictures at Pat and Melissa's. But their wedding was wonderful, too. The ceremony began with a didgiridoo, and incorporated readings on love from various philosophers and poets throughout the ages. The setting was on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, and an old wooden rowboat was available for romantic paddles during the reception. Congratulations Pat and Melissa! Keep living the SLC dream!

Somehow we also took no pictures of Team Garcia, up to Missoula to celebrate Rani's 20 year high school reunion. I guess we were too distracted by the wonder of the Missoula KOA, the post-Sturgis bikers, and the smoky forest fire air to don the camera. And we took no pictures of Senor hanging out with Grammy and Gramps. Oh well, you can't win them all.

You kind of get used to living far from anything remotely fashionable, lulled into sort of a Carhartt complacency, after a few years in the bush. So preparing for two weddings caused us a wee bit of consternation. But thanks to Genevieve, Dawson's work shoes are now fit to be worn to fancy events. (This picture is taken midway through the process. Not quite a before and after photo, but you pretty much get the idea.)