Relay for Life (Valparaiso, Indiana)

Saturday June 3rd was the annual Relay for Life, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. Walks take place all over the country and the events are open to everyone! The events can take up to 24 hours, with teams setting up tents and walking (or running) around a track or path, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times. Teams also spend months fundraising for the event. There's a place for everyone at the relays, being a member of a team, volunteering, participating in games, or just stopping by to support teams, vendors, bid on auctions, and maybe doing a lap in honor of a loved one. 

This year I volunteered my photography for the relay in Valparaiso. I have done this in the past, a friend of mine is the organizer. When she called on me again, I was very happy to help out. This year was a little more personal for me, as my mom is now a cancer survivor. Next year, we both plan on participating more. And I certainly hope it won't be as hot. I wasn't prepared very well this year, I've been staying with my mom and helping her, next year will be different. 

So here is my photos, I stayed most of the day. With a combination of journalistic and artistic photos, I like to try to tell the whole story, not just a part of it.... I hope you enjoy, and join in on this wonderful cause next year!

(There will be links at the bottom of this blog)

The auction tent...

Yes, there's a chicken in that "stroller"... 

The opening ceremony... Members of The Civil Air Patrol have been very supportive at the Valparaiso event through the years..

Speakers included Kim Rushmore (the event organizer, and my friend), Janet Wartman (American Cancer Society), and representatives from St Mary's hospital, ASCCAN, and Valparaiso Team Chevy (Dave Brubaker). 

The first lap is for Survivors and Caregivers..

After their lap, the survivors and caregivers are treated to a luncheon...

There are themed laps throughout the day, some being contests with prizes. Following are photos from the "Blow the Biggest Bubble" lap...

Valparaiso Police Officer Kobitka and his K9 partner, Officer Kaiser stopped to show support and did a lap of their own...

There was a visit from Culvers and everyone was happy for the cold ice cream on such a hot day...

One of the many contests, a balloon toss (also welcome on a hot day)....

Oooh! A photographer!! 

And the winning catch...

One team raised money by selling balloons for a "Memories to Heaven" balloon release... It was a beautiful moment...

 The "Frozen T-shirt" Contest.... The teams had to open a knotted, rock hard, frozen t-shirt. It was pretty entertaining to watch...

And we have a winner! The woman in the sunglasses is wearing her shirt...

Some photos from the "Walk Backwards" Lap....

Taking a break with some family fun...

The winners for the best tent... The Cancerbusters!!

The DJ clowning around... And confusing Kim... lol

Gathering for the scavenger hunt...

I took a break from photos (except for this one) and did a few laps for my mom...

At the end of the day, the bags that have been purchased for honoring loved ones are lit for the luminary lap... It was also quite beautiful...

For more information:

American Cancer Society ~ Relay For Life

For information on the Valparaiso event:

Greater Valparaiso Relay For Life

** ALL photos on this blog are property of Christi Bushby, copyrighted and protected as such by law. Please see my copyright page for details and/or permissions of use. 

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Rainy Day at Potato Creek

While mom was in the hospital in Goshen for her second surgery, I decided to stop by Potato Creek State Park on the way back to her house in LaPorte. Potato Creek is one of my favorite state parks, and this day was a perfect example of way. I love going when there is practically no one there. It was perfect timing, a rainy day just before Memorial Day weekend....

  

On the drive there (a new route for me), I came across this crop dusting business. It made me think of my hubby, who is a member of EEA, and has flown planes...

Not far from there was this farm with a beautiful field of yellow flowers (goldenrod, I think).

On to the park photos....

There are quit a few wetland locations that you pass when driving through. I like it when it's not busy, so I can stop and photograph...

Rain was on the way, so I stopped at the nature center. They have a wonderful wildlife viewing area! There were plenty of baby squirrels enjoying the bounty from the bird feeders... 

The rain came in, windy and fast! Just before the winds picked up, all the squirrels ran up into the trees. Not sure this guy picked the sturdiest branch to ride out a storm... lol 

This guy had the right idea though.... 

Woody's just looking for a dry side...

This little fledgling picked the window feeding area to take shelter. But then he looked at me like "please let me in.." and melted my heart... 

So after leaving the nature center, I came across a few vehicles stopped in the road. I looked around to see if there was something they were looking at, like a bird in a tree (I did see a great blue heron in a tree, but too far for a good photo). The truck closest to me left and that's when I saw him..

A few of us tried to help him along, so he wouldn't get hit...

He didn't care for the assist... lol

More wetland photos...

Lunchtime!

Next, I went to the east side of the park. There's a trail there that I love, but with the threat of rain, I decided against it. I went to the boat dock instead to see if I might see some birds flying over the water or something. I didn't see much... until I looked up... He/She was about 50 feet from me, in the top of a tree. Probably trying to dry out from the downpour that just happened...

As if that wasn't cool enough, I then heard eagle calls, and looked up just in time to see a second one fly right over my head, being harassed by a hawk! He/She joined the first one and the hawk flew off. Apparently two eagles are better than one, lol.

I got a bit distracted talking to a man putting his boat in the water to go fishing and missed both eagles flaying off. But I was lucky enough to see one dive for dinner! Just not fast enough with my camera. But I have no regrets, it was an amazing moment to be in! The first photo is of the eagle looking for lunch, just before the dive. I did get photos of his/her catch though. This bird won't have to tell any fish tales, look at the size of that meal! 

One last photo...

Just a steam I passed as I ended my day at Potato creek..

These last three are of flowers starting to bloom back at mom's house...

Potato Creek State Park

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** ALL photos on this blog are property of Christi Bushby, copyrighted and protected as such by law. Please see my copyright page for details and/or permissions of use. 

Please feel free to share my blog! There are social media buttons on the bottom left for your convenience!

Support local music and the arts!!

"The earth without art is just eh..."