Kim’s Quest for Her PhD
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.
![Kim took 3rd Despite a rough start and her mind on other things, Kim managed to come in third!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_421,h_281/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD.jpg)
![Storms Over Klondike Storms rolled in during race day.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_211,h_281/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-2.jpg)
![Yeah, that happened. The look on this girls face encapsulates the feeling at the end of the race.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_636,h_477/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-3.jpg)
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.
![The Subway Ah yes, the famous Subway.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-10.jpg)
![Waterfalls Along the Hike Hiking to the Subway might have been the most beautiful canyon we have ever seen...](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_296,h_222/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-11.jpg)
![Subway Canyon We were extremely lucky to nab two walk-in permits for the Subway.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_336,h_448/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-9.jpg)
![Observation Point Trying to kill ourselves by hustling up to Observation Point.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_280,h_153/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-8.jpg)
![Gooseberry Sunset Sunset out at Gooseberry Mesa.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_115,h_153/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-7.jpg)
![Views from the Top Gooseberry overlooks the badlands of Redbull Rampage.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_115,h_153/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-6.jpg)
![Kim Riding Kim zig and zagging through the sandstone.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_114,h_153/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-5.jpg)
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!
![Lost in the Crowd Kim was looking for us in the massive crowd.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_419,h_284/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-12.jpg)
![Hooded Finally hooded!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_213,h_120/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-13.jpg)
![Sisters Katie celebrating her sister's accomplishment.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_213,h_160/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-14.jpg)
![To Kim! To Dr. Kim!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_298,h_224/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-17.jpg)
![Larry and Linda Kim's hilarious grandparents, Larry and Linda, celebrating with Kimmers.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_298,h_223/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-18.jpg)
![Cheers Cheers, Scott!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_334,h_451/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-16.jpg)
![Daphne Daphne celebrating at the Yard House.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_313,h_235/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-15.jpg)
![Proud parents The Clark parents looking proud.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_319,h_235/https://k3travels.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHD-19.jpg)
Congratulations to Dr. Kim!