Exchange Student Raphael | The Beauty Around Us

Kinzua Bridge Skywalk

Raphael and I took a drive to Kinzua Bridge State Park (clicking on this link will take you to all blog posts I have written about Kinzua Bridge State Park).

This was my second visit since the “Skywalk” was completed. Raphael had never visited Kinzua Bridge State Park, as the bridge had collapsed from an F1 Tornado in July 2003–a year before he came to live with us as an exchange student. Raphael was in awe, as he gazed upon the damage caused by the tornado, which was still very much in evidence even 8+ years after the tornado. He liked very much the Skywalk as well.

Raphael on Observation Deck

Raphael on Kinzua Bridge
The Skywalk is behind him.

The next picture was taken in October 2011, when Bob and I visited Kinzua Bridge State Park for the first time after the Skywalk was completed.

Bob on the Skywalk, October 2011

Raphael on the Skywalk, March 2012

A Shopping Trip and Family Visit

Raphael and I spent 2 nights (March 15-17) at the Marriott Springhill Suites hotel, on the grounds of Pittsburgh Mills in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. In addition to shopping, we visited with my niece, Emily, and her family. The shopping experience was not as good as I expected (Millcreek Mall in Erie, PA is better shopping in my personal opinion); however, spending time with family was priceless.

Emily, Elise and Dan

Elise was the first baby whom Raphael has held.

Family Visit and an Elk Sighting

On Saturday (March 10) Bob, Raphael and I enjoyed lunch and conversation at Hoss’s Steakhouse in St. Marys, Pennsylvania with my brother, his wife and their 6-year-old grandson. Raphael had seen Jim and Judy in July 2008, when he last visited. It was the first time Raphael met Kaleb. Can you believe it? I forgot to take a picture of Raphael with Jim, Judy and Kaleb!

After lunch Bob, Raphael and I went to Benezette. Jim, Judy and Kaleb returned to camp, where they were spending the weekend. In Benezette we stopped at the Visitor Center.

Raphael in front of the Elk Country Visitor Center

We didn’t see any elk at visitor center. We drove up Winslow Hill and saw a large number of elk grazing on hill, too far away for a great-looking picture. We did see four elk on private property along Route 555. I photographed the closer of the four elk.

Elk

Raphael Comes Home

Our “son”, Raphael, is visiting with us. Raphael is from Brazil. He lived with us for 10 months, as an exchange student, during the 2004-2005 school year.

Since December 31 Raphael had been in Sandusky, Ohio, working at a resort as a grounds keeper. On March 6 Raphael traveled by bus from Sandusky, Ohio to Erie, Pennsylvania.