The Great Steamboat Race !

The Run for the Roses is three days away. Wednesday afternoon, all eyes in Louisville are on the Ohio River and the Great Steamboat Race. Preparing 5th wheel for Safety Patrol and Aux PA activity during the Race

5th Wheel on Station at Duffy's Landing before the crowd fills the parking lot to watch the race.

Coast Guard Aux team preparing to help set a moving picket line for the race -with the Jeffersonville Amphitheatre in the background.

Public Affairs Display on Duffy's Landing

The race began promptly at 6 p.m. from the Clark Memorial Bridge.

Spectators lined the banks of the river as the Spirit of Jefferson and the Belle of Cincinnati race up river.

Belle of Louisville steaming up stream.

The Belle of Louisville is the only authentic paddle wheeler, still operating on steam. She fell behind early and only led for a short time during the return trip back down stream.

Spirit of Jefferson heading back to the bridge. Spirit of Jefferson and Belle of Cincinnati are both diesel powered.

Nick and crew following the steamboats in the moving picket line. The Belle of Cincinnati won the silver antlers.

Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville

Begin the day long celebration with the Air Show ! U S Coast Guard Helicopter U S Air Force Hornet U S Air Force Warthog

U S F16 Falcon Fighter

U S Army Chinook

Lima Lima Team

Saturday, April 17, 2010 Thunder Over Louisville is not only the official opening ceremonies for the two weeks of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it is also the nation's largest annual fireworks show.

March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb

March blew in and out so fast. Nick and siblings - Milo, Marianne made their planned heritage trip to Holland. Their brother Bill, who was to make the journey with them, died suddenly of a heart attack just before the trip. He was greatly missed. They came back with so many pictures I dont know where to begin to put them on the blog. A tip from Nicki, enabled me to take advantage of an opportunity to create a picture book at a great, highly reduced promotional price. I was able to make the 2 day deadline- 82 pages and 295 pictures later. My first book ever. I will try to link it up to the blog soon. While Nick was in Europe, Clara and I and Joni went to DC to visit Nicki. While we were there we celebrated young Clara's entrance into double digit birthdays - the big 10. I have a few pictures. Joni and Nicki took several. Will also try to get them posted soon. Easter was a beautiful day We were so blessed to be able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with family.

********************************************** Let me try to catch up on my blogging beginning with youngest. --- This is the Wiese Family over Easter/Springbreak. Stacy sent me the pictures and I am grateful. I believe they visited Cincinnati and the bridge is the pedestrian bridge over the Ohio River. They also visited the Louisville Zoo.

On the ground: Stacy, Nico, Andrew In the tree: Kiefer, Nicolaas, Sierra

Kiefer scored ten goals (soccor) this week-end and is also missing two more teeth.

Sierra got straight A's and is on the tennis team.

Nicolaas got A's and B's and has been selected for mempership in the Junior Honor Society.

This is their new puppy, a golden-doodle named, "Friedley" Andrew on the bridge. Above and below:

Kiefer - Where the wild things are! Andrew with the animal they named "Walking teeth"

"I'm forever blowing bubbles Pretty bubbles in the air- They fly so high They nearly reach the sky..... " Ggpa song

Nicolaas and Nico