Larry's parents are the only ones of their generation who were present. An uncle and his wife are still living but reside at Garden Spot Village and are unable to participate. This year was the biggest group ever, with seventy people present. Larry's entire family was present, coming from as far as Kona, Hawaii and San Francisco, CA.
Larry's folks packed their car and drove to our place . . . then Dad rode with Larry, and I drove their car with Mother. We had a pleasant trip. I enjoy driving, and it gave us a chance to visit.
The weather was very pleasant, cooler than normal. We had a couple of showers on Saturday, but they didn't last long. Pine Creek was very low this year, and for the first time in a long while, there was little swimming and no one went tubing. The creek was so shallow that the little ones could play freely along the edge.
The cabin is in a prime location. Pine Creek is on one side of the property, relatively new "rails to trails" bike path is on the other side, and the store is a stone's throw down the trail. Most of the families bring bicycles and spend a little time on the trail.
Larry took his bucket along when we went out, and found some ripe raspberries.
When he got back he shared them with the grandchildren who quickly gathered round and chowed down.
There is always multi-generational volleyball, and usually a whiffle ball game with the younger ones. We used to play a rowdy game of softball, but as the group has grown in size, there are more and more tents and campers and there is hardly room to play. Also, there were nasty injuries a couple of times, and so softball was retired to the past. The one that clinched it was about 10 years ago when a cousin got hit in the head with a lightning throw to first. He was knocked out with a serious injury and spent the rest of the weekend in the hospital at Jersey Shore. It put a damper on the weekend for sure.
There is a campfire that burns the whole weekend. We use it for cooking food.(Larry brings a grill hanging from a tripod) and families roast hotdogs and make mountain pies (or hodgie podgies as we like to call them). We had steak and corn
on the cob one dinner.
In the evenings, the whole group gathers around the fire, often staying up until midnight. I don't stay up any more. I enjoy some quiet and don't need the interaction. Besides, I have too much to do when I get home not to get some sleep.
On Sunday we have a worship time around the fire. There is some singing, some "special" music, a scripture, sharing and prayer. Then everyone packs up and heads out pretty quickly. And so it goes, year after year, with slight variations.
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