Kim’s Quest for Her PhD

January 4, 2018

Nearly a decade ago, Kim was finishing her Master’s degree and decided she hadn’t quite suffered enough and committed herself to the pursuit of the elusive Doctorate degree. This past May the day of reckoning arrived and we were off to the University of Las Vegas for her defense.

En route, we stopped in Moab to race the Scott Enduro Cup, where the weather went from blistering hot to freezing cold and rain, and back to the beautiful sun. Despite all this, Kim managed to take third place and I only only suffered numb hands and feet.

Despite a rough start and her mind on other things, Kim managed to come in third!

Storms rolled in during race day.

The look on this girls face encapsulates the feeling at the end of the race.

Arriving in Las Vegas was full of nerves. Kim’s sister, Katie, was awaiting our arrival much to the surprise and joy of Kim. Nevertheless, her defense loomed heavy on Kim’s mind. Why though? Before, during and after her defense, it was clear by the comments of her professors that she had nothing to worry about and just like that, Kim became Dr. Kimberly Klain. It was OVER! Time to celebrate!

Now relaxed and happy, our next destination was a long way home stopping at such iconic places as Gooseberry Mesa and Zion National Park.

Ah yes, the famous Subway.

Hiking to the Subway might have been the most beautiful canyon we have ever seen…

We were extremely lucky to nab two walk-in permits for the Subway.

Trying to kill ourselves by hustling up to Observation Point.

Sunset out at Gooseberry Mesa.

Gooseberry overlooks the badlands of Redbull Rampage.

Kim zig and zagging through the sandstone.

Despite being done in May, we had to wait until December to do the official graduation ceremony. Unlike Masters and Undergrad, Doctorate students get hooded to appoint them as ‘colleague’ with their professor counterparts. Back to Vegas we go!