KICKING BACK AT THE REUNION

The days all seem to run together. Morning coffee and conversation outside of the cafeteria. Continental breakfast. More coffee while the adults watch the kids use up their morning energy. Then, its a bit of fishing, more conversation, someone off to the store or bait shop, or maybe a walk and some birdwatching along the way. John and company now have 50 different birds sighted.

Lunch comes at noon and then a lazier afternoon; today especially because it was really hot and sticky. Lots of sitting around. The kids are still running and playing, but maybe also settling down a bit. Fishing, walking, swimming, a beer or two, and it's time for dinner.

The evening seems to fly by quickly. Some kids are off to bed by 6:30 while others are up until after 10. Cards, campfire, a movie, looking at family pictures, just a time to kick back. And then it's time to rest up for the next day.

Today a group went to Poy Sippi to pick raspberries and to look at Rob and Penny's exquisite (and expensive) tree house out back beyond the garden. Rob says that it can also be used as a stand for deer hunting.

Intent in an engaging conversation.

A good game of Scrabble (Rob won)

It was really fun to quietly walk up to this young green heron and snap this shot.

Joe and Ryan grilling the burgers for lunch. Note the large pines in the background - therefore the name of the retreat center "WHISPERING PINES."

Dave Baker and crew helped start the evening campfire, our first one. There just doesn't seem to be time for a campfire - people are playing Wizard (a card game) and having a good time. I thought that I'd try to give a flavor of the GATHERING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.

Braeden thought that this picture ought to be taken. You can see the mud turtle on the left. On the right is a half eaten dead fish. It doesn't take too much imagination to guess what is happening.