Paired like Geese for Life

"Honeymoon cottage" at the Wanapum State Park, WA

Our wedding in Vantage, WA, was all that we could have asked for - and more! The weather cooperated, all the guests and family that could attend were there, two wonderful videos were taken of the event for the absent ones to enjoy and soon there will be pictures from the hired photographer to review.

Susan Smith, pastor's wife and Wayne's
daughter helped to arrange the flowers. 

Just as Pastor Smith (Wayne Smith is Wayne Ratcliff's son-in-law) said to the group, "I now declare you are husband and wife," two geese in the Columbia River, near the beach where we were having the ceremony, suddenly began honking loudly and as we were watching, the two took off and flew away. Everyone agreed it was better than a basket of doves being let loose!

Bronwyn Brady and "Lolita".

I was 'given away' by my two friends, Carol Joy Bennett and her husband, Joe Woodbury. I had another dear friend, Bronwyn Brady, standing attendance with me by driving me to the venue, and she took some of these photos.

Joe Woodbury was my escort part way,
then his wife Carol joined us for the last lap.

Prior to the wedding, we stayed at Sportsman's Campground in Union Gap, WA, near Yakima for the Washington Spring Sashay (square dance event) with three well-known callers: Jim Hattrick, Adam Cristman and ----. Hattrick is an old friend of Wayne's who he hasn't seen in some time, so it was a lovely reunion for them.

While at that campground, I saw an osprey near a pond where we were walking. He watched us closely as we moved through his territory. It was here we discovered that the tow bar was broken and I would have to follow the RV for the rest of the trip.

Broken tow bar meant following the RV everywhere.

This eagle is giving us the "eagle eye."

Wayne and Susan Smith, daughter of Wayne R. (right)

Our next stop was the Big Pine campground on the Yakima River. It was running fast and high but the campground was somewhat empty of campers. It made for pleasant camping and while we were there, Wayne's son-in-law Wayne Smith and his wife, Susan, came down to discuss wedding plans. That was the night a huge eagle decided to swoop down over our heads and park in a tree nearby. Very impressive and Wayne R. got a photo of him.

During that stop we took time to find some of the local potholes so Wayne could get some fishing in.

We caught two trout and many sunfish. Wayne ate the trout.

He let me use a rod and was surprised to discover he was marrying a woman who wasn't afraid to put a worm on a hook and one who could also catch a fish... not just him (LOL!).

My logger lover lowering a limb... not mine - ha ha!

We also went over to visit his other daughter, Aleece Martin, but they were off getting a couple of pigs for their farm, so he found a chain saw and got rid of the willow tree that scratched the Jeep during his son Dennis's wedding two weeks before. Once a logger, always a logger, it seems.

The next stop was Wanapum State Park in Vantage, where the wedding took place. It is a very lovely spot on the Washington side of the Columbia River, just above Wanapum Dam. It fills up quickly in the summer and it was already full for our weekend in May as well.

Wanapum State Park from the highway up above it.

The bride, Larry Dykeman, Dennis Hughes and the groom.

We were very lucky to get the spot we did up on the "Inner Circle" where the sites are larger, more grass and trees on the site and neighbors are spaced apart. And the view was awesome! The beach area where we had the ceremony is perfect for families with children with lots of space to run around and water shallow enough to be fun. The trees offered protection both from the wind and the hot sun, because surprisingly enough, it was rather warm for May that weekend.

Several of Wayne's friends were there:
Dennis Hughes was his Best Man, Larry Dykeman drove with Dennis from Deer Park, and his school chum Bailey Sammons and his wife Terry, came from Olympia to help us celebrate.

Terry Sammons, the groom and Bailey Sammons of Olympia.

We kept the ranger busy that weekend with people coming and going but when we went through the ranger station for the last time, she had a big smile on her face and thumbs up!

Bride is escorted by Joe and Carol... we had
a laugh ahead of time picturing them 'holding
me up' as we are all seniors!

We have some photos that were taken of everyone who was there, but I still don't have them to post here.

After the ceremony, we had a potluck with hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and soft drinks followed by cutting the cake (carrot cake with cream cheese frosting) and toasts with sparkling apple cider. I so appreciative of everyone who came and participated in various ways to make it such a special event!

Ceremonial spot on the Columbia River, heralded by geese!

The "Tikquities" amongst the
Petrified wood in Vantage, WA.

What a birthday present!!

Pastor Wayne Smith introduced us as Lord Ratcliff and Lady
Anne Tudor because back in time there was a Lord Ratcliff
who married a Tudor... history repeats?

When we get the wedding photos of family and friends, I will post them here and a few on Facebook.