Maddy's Birthday: Storming Downtown Roanoke in a Viking Ship

This is Maddie (blonde) and the troops hitting the Roanoke beaches

Viking and dog

Maddie's pal Jeff

Here come the ground troops

My hat won't stay on!

Land ho! Get ready to throw candy at the natives, gang!

Lovelies everywhere in Viking land

More pretty

Jeff scares the crap out of a little kid

Maddie offers money for prisoners

Highland dude and slave

Red-haired gal with the Vikings

Jeff explains how it all works to Charisse and Maddy

Maddy Smith, Viking warrior

Love this shot of Maddy and her buds

(Note: To view photos full-sized, click on them once.)

 Today is my grandgirl Maddy's birthday and, of course, there's this little parade that happens each year on this date in downtown Roanoke. Maddy has always thought it was because of her birthday. We have not disabused her of the notion.

This year, Jeff Rigdon invited Mads to join him and a pretty large group of Vikings--with their boat--to celebrate her birthday in real style and Maddy did just that.

Jeff is a hero to her and to me. The way he organizes people for a good time is impressive. Good guy, that one.