title: Radford Wedding
start: 2022-08-10
end: 2022-08-15

_This memory is written in first person from the perspective of Blaise Thompson._

# 2022-08-10 Wednesday

After stopping in Iowa City to swap the Accord for the Accura, Kevin and I drove on to Windmill State Park in central Nebraska.
We camped, it was humble but adequate.
The nearby Platte River was mostly dry, we visited Rowe Sanctuary where we saw many Western Kingbirds.
This area is apparently a very popular and famous stopping point for Sandhill Cranes on their migragion.

<figure>
  <img src="./dry-river.jpg">
  <figcpation>Platte Riverbed dry on a hot August day.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kingbird.jpg">
  <figcpation>Western Kingbird.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./windmill-campground.jpg">
  <figcpation>Our campsite at Windmill State Park.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2022-08-11 Thursday

Driving west through the panhandle of Nebraska, we ate lunch at a restaurant called simply "Diner".
We then "summited" Nebraska, going to the highest point in the very south west corner of the panhandle.
The electric windmills were a sight to see.

<figure>
  <img src="./diner.jpg">
  <figcpation>Lunch at the Diner.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./windmills.jpg">
  <figcpation>New electric windmills dominate the horizon near an abandoned farm house.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./pronghorn.jpg">
  <figcpation>A wild pronghorn.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./highpoint.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nebraska high point marker. Note the horned lark taking shade.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kevin-highpoint.jpg">
  <figcpation>Kevin signs the highpoint log book.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./hola.jpg">
  <figcpation>A horned lark sits on the fence, with horns visible.</figcaption>
</figure>

We drove south into Colorado and to our campsite in Pawnee National Grasslands.
We stayed in the grasslands at Crow Valley Family Campground.
What a stunning place and a wonderful campground.

<figure>
  <img src="./pigeon.jpg">
  <figcpation>Pigeons crowd around a telephone pole near Crow Valley campground.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./plover.jpg">
  <figcpation>A mountain plover, rare bird that we were very lucky to see. It is taking shade near a fence post and signage.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./band-winged-meadowhawk.jpg">
  <figcpation>A band winged meadowhawk dragonfly seen in the ghost town of Keota.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./twelve-spotted-skimmer.jpg">
  <figcpation>A twelve-spotted skimmer dragonfly seen in the ghost town of Keota.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./cows.jpg">
  <figcpation>Cows enjoying the grassland near our campsite.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./pawnee-campground.jpg">
  <figcpation>Our grassy campsite. It was so hot we slept without the rain fly.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2022-08-12 Friday

On friday we headed south to Denver for a day of activities with Felix.
We enjoyed breakfast at the Musgrave home, went to the bachelor party (fencing!), checked out my suit from Men's Wearhouse, attended the rehersal dinner, and finally enjoyed a stunning meal at a very fancy restaurant.
What an exhausting day!

<figure>
  <img src="./blaise-fences.jpeg">
  <figcpation>Blaise prepares to lose to Felix in a friendly fencing match.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./fort.jpg">
  <figcpation>Wedding guests enjoy dinner at The Fort. Kevin enjoyed rocky mountain oysters.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2022-08-13 Saturday

The wedding day!
As best man I was responsible for transporting Felix and many other logistical details.
It was a wonderful wedding at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver.
The service was a traditional episcopal one, and the organ was used to great effect.
After the service all enjoyed a long and joyus reception at the Musgrave home.

<figure>
  <img src="./kevin-blaise-church.jpg">
  <figcpation>Kevin and Blaise pose in the church after the wedding ends.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./bates-banner.jpeg">
  <figcpation>Kendall, Amrita, Kevin, Blaise, and Felix hold the Bates banner at the reception.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2022-08-14 Sunday

Our goal on sunday was to make it back to Iowa City.
We stopped a few times to check out more birds and wildlife.
Unfortunately a tire burst on the way home, so it became a bit more of an adventure than we would have liked.
Still, we made it safely to Iowa City at just past 2 AM.

<figure>
  <img src="./magpie.jpg">
  <figcpation>A magpie seen preening itself near McDonalds.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./damselfly.jpg">
  <figcpation>Damselfly seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./halloween-pennant.jpg">
  <figcpation>Halloween pennant dragonfly seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./northern-leopard-frog.jpg">
  <figcpation>Northern Leopard Frog seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kevin-dam.jpg">
  <figcpation>Kevin poses in front of the large dam at Lake McConaughy.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kite.jpg">
  <figcpation>Mississippi Kite seen in downtown Ogallala.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./tire.jpg">
  <figcpation>Our burst tire which caused quite the delay.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2022-08-15 Monday

Waking up late, we enjoyed a simple meal and a walk at Palsades Kepler before heading back to Madison.

<figure>
  <img src="./nancy.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy poses at Palasades Kepler state park.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./fetch.jpg">
  <figcpation>David and Karaby play near the Cedar River.</figcaption>
</figure>