Ry, Tam, and Fam

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

A few facts about Dearborn

Dearborn is 45% Muslim we were told. It was so cool to see a different culture.

Because of that, here is something we found in Costco.

Yes, Lamb Shanks right there in Costco. It was so cool to see them hanging there.

Cute little Pizza place. We had quite the conversation with one of the guys who originally walked by and said, "I can't talk to them because their Mormon." He later came back and talked with us for a while. Very inexpensive little place. We needed quick food one night when everything seemed to be closed. We went back the next day for a photo and for more of their ranch dressing. Great people!

So that is a couple of tidbits for you. We left Parker in Dearborn to fly home and the rest of us embark our next journey to Kirtland OHIO!!! Wahoo! (Though we still wish Parker would've chosen to come with us!!)

Archway...picture forgotten

Back track for a moment. This is how the Great River Platte Archway looks across the Freeway. I found these photos on my iPod tonight. It was awesome.

The competition!!! The Ford AAA Auto Competition in Dearborn, MI

Huge Event...50 cars from 50 states. 2 students on each team.

Ford Explorers. Very Beautiful and new. Red, White and Blue.

Parker and Jimmy

Jimmy...They are such a great team They really are. They work very well together. Precise and Accurate.

Inspecting their vehicle.

Driving to the finish line. UTAH! We love 'em. As a mom, I was so glad they finished. There were four that didn't finish.

Driving to Finish line.

Photo op at the finish line.

What a team!!!

Stage as they presented the TOP Ten. One never knows who wins until the presentation. You can finish first and not have a perfect car. Infact, one team did finish first but they were not number 1. They ended up being number 10.

The winners were from Oregon! Congratulations.

Parker got 23rd mostly due to lack of communication and a lack of watching the clock closely . They got rid of the major problems but missed two lights because of miscommunication. Then they didn't double check because they thought they were out of time and they had plenty of time.

Also, I was a little sad because two small light bulbs were 6 demerits. 3 for each bulb. But, for a miss of major engine problems people were only docked three demerits. I think there is not a scale according to difficulty. He was sad and pretty deflated. Looking back I think I was too. I wanted it to booster him.

Regardless, I am very proud of him. He did a fantastic job. We are all recovering from the excitement of that. He is a champ regardless of the results. He rocks!!

Dearborn, Michigan the night before the competition

Job Fair for parents, students and instructors. Fancy Smancy! : )

Parker in his Red Polo Shirt he got.

Parker and Ryan on the outsides. A "Big Wig", friendly guy from Ford or one of the sponsors. There were many. Can't remember which. But he was really nice.

Posing in front of a Ford Rouge Truck

At the Career fair they had a little dexterity contest. To take the spark plugs from one side and then install them into the other side. They did great but, his instructor was in the top 3 fastest of all the instructors. I must say....WOW....They were SO FAST!!!!

I Zoomed this photo. At the Career Fair Jimmy & Parker were talking with each other in the explorer. Last minute strategies.

I liked what this said about the fact that there were 13,000 competitors.

Zoomed up on his name....well, I guess his team mate too... and his instructor. He had a great team. They work well together. McVea is a GREAT instructor. We think he is GREAT!!!!