SOME FB PICS OF DAD

MOM (1992)

This shot of my mom is possibly the last time she was caught on camera before she got sick. Taken in front of the Keystone house, with Dad and my Aunt Marijka. The photograph wasn't processed until July, which also makes me think it might be the last one.

DAD & PAUL'S KIDS

A picture of Dad in uniform surrounded by my brother Paul's children: Elijah, Illiana, Andrew, Tatjana, and Oxana. I think this might have been reupping in the Navy.

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

In 1984, possibly as a tune-up for the Appalachian Trail or possibly just because they wanted to hike out there, my parents made a camping/hiking trip to Colorado. Here are some pictures from that expedition.

Preparing to leave from Jacksonville at the Amtrak Station. 30 July 1984

Their first set up was at Rock Gardens campground at Glenwood Springs. 3 August

Their first campsite on the hike. 4 August 1984 (Bobbie's birthday).

Mom at a rest stop during a hike up into the hills.

One of their campsites, chosen I think because of the beautiful flowers in that meadow, at least Dad commented on them. Mom is in the tent.

Mom hiking near Monument Lake.

Sheltering themselves from a rainstorm at lunchtime, here they are at Dry Lake, 9 August 1984.

AT HIKING MOM & DAD

Both Mom and Dad tackled the Appalachian Trail. Mom didn't finish, sadly, and it took a little time after her death for Dad to complete the journey. In 1986 I drove them up to Springer Mountain so they could hike up to the trail head. I almost killed myself driving back down, because I had no idea about winding roads and the speed one could achieve. At one point I drove off the side of the road and I was literally looking straight down the mountain through my right passenger window. How my angels got the car back on the road, I don't know. I took these first few shots as they prepared for their adventure.

Mom at the Forest Service Register on top of Springer Mountain, 18 March 1986.

Some pre-hike shots

One of my favorite pictures. This is Mom relaxing in the Walnut Mountain Shelter in April. It is located in Cocke, Tennessee; 260.6 miles from Springer and 1928.5 til the end of the trail.

Mom hiking on top of Thunderhead Mountain in freezing temperatures, just before sundown. She looks pretty comfortable, though. It is a beautiful sight, all the frost-covered branches, like being caught in a Siberian reindeer herd. 16 April 1986.

A couple of shots when they reached the Tennessee-Virginia line on 19 July 1986.

They had to take a break, but were back on the trail a few years later. Here Mom is taking a cigarette break near Bland, Virginia, 17 April 1989.

Mom pausing for a break on Brushy Mountain looking down at Kimberling Creek Valley, on 20 April 1989. This may be the last picture of her hiking on the trail, as she got very sick and had to come off.

25th ANNIVERSARY

My parents celebrated their 24th marriage anniversary was a small party held at the Keystone house.

The lady in white to my father's right is Debbie Peterson, my sister's husband's first wife. Yeah, we be that kind of family. :)

Beth stands to my parents' right.

Gathering in the kitchen. Bobbie is seated in chair facing, Angie Colon with back to camera.

DANCE FEVER

My parents enjoyed dancing. Dad like polka, a lot! In 1985 they went on a Caribbean cruise, which of course featured dancing. Here are a couple shots of them cutting the rug. They were aboard the SS Royale.

MT. MARCY

Dad and Mom at the memorial plague on Mt. Marcy, the highest mountain in New York state (located in the Keene Valley), on 28 July 1985.

MOM 1968

A few shots of Lydia Oxana Tidd in 1968 in Charleston.

TIDD KIDS 1967-1968

In 1968 we lived near Charleston, on Edgewater Island. Here are a few picture of the Tidd kids.

I am guessing this shot may have been taken just before Christmas 1967, because it looks like we are celebrating a birthday, probably Beth's, because of the three girls her age there that I don't recognize. On the bottom row we have Bobbie, Paul, and me.

Probably Christmas 1967, but the film was developed in 1968. Paul, me, Bobbie, and Beth. Paul looks very happy, and Beth is focused. This is in out living room, coming out from two bedrooms in the rear of the house.

Undated. I think perhaps 1967.

Most likely Easter 1968. Mom with her nice bonnet, me and Beth, then Paul and Bobbie.

Summer 1968. (L to r) Paul, Bobbie, Laura McCabe, Beth, me.

COMING TO AMERICA

In 1949 the Chmilewskyj family made the ocean voyage from Europe to America. Here are a few shots from that trip.

Lydia Oxana Chmilewska (Tidd) laughing aboard the ship, dressed in her Girl Scouts uniform.

Mom (on far left) with a group of women (most likely fellow displaced persons), with what she later told me was the cook aboard the ship. He was the first black man she had ever met, and she said he was the nicest person. Have no idea, sadly, the others' identities.

A group of future Americans making the voyage to their new home. Most of the individuals I can't identify, but I am going to guess at a few. My mom is second from the right. Standing just in front of her to her right is my Babcia,Joanna Gissowska Chmilewskyj. The little girl with bow in her hair, in front, I think is my Aunt Marijka. The man standing next to the tall priest is my grandfather (I think) Jaroslav Chmilewskyj. My Aunt might be able to fill in the blanks or correct me.

This shot was likely taken earlier, before they left Europe, possibly in Germany. My mom is standing to the right, stylishly dressed in polka-dot dress and heavy jacket.