Wow where did the summer go? I guess that’s what happens when you don’t
stay home and things catch up to you when you do.
We enjoyed the 52-year tradition of Wilson Family
Camp in June ( I only have 41 years of history). We were not at the
“tradition” campground as it is being renovated to accommodate the big
diesel pushers. Alas we gathered at Cape Fair, a mere 13 miles up the
lake from the house. It was a smaller group than usual as some felt it
wouldn’t be the same at the new campground. Change is hard for some.
Greg and the girls along with Greg’s girlfriend and daughter
represented the Walt Wilson contingency. Not to be out-done by the San
Jose friends, we rented kayaks and got the bug. We now own kayaks
perfect for wandering around our cove. Trevor sadly remained in Phoenix
dealing with heat and haboobs.
July hit with a bang. Walt’s brother passed away on
the 1st from complications of kidney failure. He had been in a lot of
pain physically and mentally in his last few months so we all knew it
was for the best but it was still a shock.
We spent three weeks in Tulsa helping make arrangements, searching for
those important documents, and supporting the family. Lesson
learned……you may “think” your ducks are in a row but have that tough
talk with your loved ones to know where stuff is and how you want to
go. The agony of suit vs tee shirt and levis was a paramount decision.
Plans for a road trip for my birthday had to be
postponed but we did eventually leave in early August. This was an
adventure we just let unfold. We never made reservations and just hit
the road. At each stop we would interrogate the locals and determine
where to eat and visit. We didn’t spent long hours on the highways and
loved the towns and scenery of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The
great lakes were beautiful we learned a lot.
I located a long ago friend from Torrance who had
relocated to Michigan in the early 70s. Once again my genealogy
searches helped this to happen. We did spend a week in Bedford County
IN doing family tree stuff. Walt’s gg grandfather built a lumber mill
on the White River and it is now part of Spring Mill State Park. They
have preserved the house, mill, school house, apothecary, etc. that all
the mill workers and families lived. There were caves where he hid the
“moonshine” and in the end, he made his money by transporting liquor
down the river into Kentucky. Shame Shame It was fun to see all
the buildings named for the Hamers and to this day there are still many
Hamers who reside in the town with tales to tell.
On our trip home we stopped in St. Louis to visit
the McElligotts from San Jose. Many of you may remember Pam and Tim
that lived on Remington at the bottom of Adamswood. They were great
hosts and tourist guides. I never knew St. Louis had so much history.
A month later and 954 photos later, we headed home.
We ignored all the laundry and mail to process and headed right to the
lake. We took a picnic dinner out on the boat and just watched the
sunset on the Ozarks. We have to remind ourselves “we live here” and
there is no better place than home. For the first couple of days our
butts never ventured far from the patio chairs. I would ask Walt what
we needed to do each morning and his answer was that he thought he
needed to finish yesterday’s task and “hold down the patio chair
again”. Life is good and retirement is wonderful.
Walt is working on my craft table so I can get back
into scrapbooking. I am peeling photos out of old albums with that
horrible plastic covers. It is so nostalgic going through 1990- the
Shaboom Cruise, the ten-year party for the kids with the tee-shirts we
still have, Pinecrest, and the Apple formal Christmas party. Gosh we
all look so good. Miss you guys a lot and the memories make my heart
happy. Happy Fall to All
Editor's Note: Joan
would like others to post what they've been doing. In addition to
Joan each month, another member can post their family happenings.
Anyone volunteer to be first? If not, maybe the Editor will
"nominate" someone each month.
