Today was all about Katie Emerson. Katie finished her finals on Thursday and walked across the stage during graduation ceremonies at the Humboldt State University Football Stadium today (Saturday).
 Getting ready went fairly smooth, considering there are three extra bodies in the house . We didn't have to leave until about 11:30 am so bathroom time was easier than an earlier curtain call.
 Parking was a challenge and it seemed we parked in downtown Arcata, but actually we were only a few blocks off campus. HSU is located along US 101, and is nicknamed HSU another name "Hills and Stairs University" for all of the hills between buildings. We arrived next to the stadium and Katie departed to get suited up in her cap and gown and we headed for the football field.
 After looking at the sun angle, we decided to sit on the visitor's side and found a good seat at about the 50-yard line. The sun played hide and peak for the first hour, then was in full display during the rest of our time at the event. Yes, I'm sunburned, but it felt good. The ceremony started at noon right on the button and went through the usual graduation introductions, announcements and speeches, then at about 2 pm they started parading across the stage. Katie who graduated from the Wildlife Department was the department that was dead last across the stage . 
 After graduation, we followed the throng of families all trying to find their loved one in the masses of people who congregated at the end of the field closest to the gymnasium where the soon-to-be graduates had formed up before the ceremony. The Wildlife Department hosted a wonderful reception in the Wildlife building with sandwiches, finger rolls, cake and coffee, water and pink lemonade. Following the reception, we toured the Wildlife Building and went through the various classrooms.  
 They have, without a doubt, the BEST animal displays I have ever seen. Truly expert taxidermy for each species. Any critter you could imagine is on display - and very tastefully done with their common and scientific names. Birds, mammals and fish (we didn't see the fish displays as they were not open) are used for classroom study. Katie had said that Humboldt State University is among the very best in the nation for Wildlife studies - now I know why. It was truly outstanding.
 After the tours, we headed back to the car, parked about 10 blocks away and returned to Katie and Luke's place to relax and spend a quiet post graduation evening. We downloaded pictures, talked about the day and enjoyed lasagna leftovers from the night before.