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At our last reunion we spent an evening in lively discussion of future destinations. OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA clearly emerged as a top choice for our next reunion. (Sorry…Utica!:))
The idea became a breath-stopping reality, from May 18–25, 2013, when we gathered at Poseidon, our megamansion in Corolla, at the northern end of “OBX.” Marianna & Ron were the kingpins in organizing this event, which was also enjoyed by: Class of ’66: Linda (Crackey), Pat, Barb & Tom, Suzie & Peter; Class of ’67: Marianna & Ron, Julie, Mary Ann & Dan, Kay & Rich; Class of ’68: Mary Ellen (Melon). Sadly missed were ’65: Jenny & Walt, and ’67: Marilyn & Howard, and Julie’s Bob.
Though Poseidon had an abundance of bedrooms, we were most often found yakking “cheek by jowl” in the sunlit-filled common areas, with a panoramic oceanview, and comfy posh furnishings. Other favorite places to hang out/schmooze, were the decks, the gazebo, the pool, … and, of course, the BEACH.
Constant chatter and laughter, remembrances of happy times at 709 Comstock, singing, jokes, personal sharings, and family updates filled each day — against a continuous background of Tom’s CD collections, favorite tunes from our days at SU! The earlybirds watched the sunrises with playful dolphins from the oceanfront decks. Evenings, after a game of charades, or a movie in the home theatre (Tom — our resident techie — knew how to make everything work!) brought the nightowls out to enjoy the vast night sky, listening to the ocean waves lapping below. We really enjoyed “Poseidon” to the max!
There were daytrips: a mustang safari tour in the dunes, kayaking, a lighthouse climb, an outdoor class about critters in the Currituck Sound, a sailboat cruise, a “back-in-time” guided session about early settlements at Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Wright Brothers Museum — the only thing we didn’t get to was the miniature golf! (Sorry, Pat.) One special dinner was a catered lobsterfest (with ribs, shrimp, salads, veggies, bracketed by delicious starters and desserts), prepared and served to us “at home” by Chefs on Call. Another dinner was in a seafood restaurant, coming back from a long daytrip. And every other evening was spent at Poseidon, where we cooked a la Big Chill, preparing our favorite recipes in teams, bebopping to great music … laughing, sipping, talking, sipping, eating, sipping. We had to replenish the wine supply about every other day!
Reunion Week sped by quickly, and all too soon it was time for the goodbye tradition we started at Reunion 2005 in Lake George — to (faux) “moon” those who were driving away, just so we could keep on laughing and not be sad. This is how we signify “THE END.…”
Tidbits from Pat...
Finding Julie at Gate A21 at the Detroit airport • Finding the Port Gamble houses • MaryAnn’s infectious enthusiasm • The view from the Port Gamble Guest Houses • Suzie running to the other house to take a shower, “Hi Kay” • The Blackberry Festival and pies • Mount Rainer cherries covered with Dark Chocolate • Pike Place • Gorgeous fresh flower bouquets for $5 • Seven people — one shower • Sixteen people — four car … sixteen people — four cars • Let’s go to Utica • Seattle Art Museum • Port Gamble cemetery • Port Gamble General store and museum • Port Townsend galleries • Riding as kids in the backseat: “Are we there yet?” “Linda poked me” • The view from MaryAnn’s decks • Outdoor fires and fleece jackets • Fitting more and more chairs on the wooden deck • Meeting Mim at Happy Hour at Ivers • Having Crackey with us • Buying more wine … and buying more wine • Danny lugging supplies and Danny lugging supplies • MaryAnn’s birthday celebration • Awards … • Hurricane Ridge – Olympic National Park • Wild blackberries, picked by Walt • Bertha’s cookies • Smoked salmon • Singing around the fire • “Remember” song • Farewell mooning • Ron knew all the words to MTA song • Linda knew all the words to lots of songs • Meeting MaryAnn’s friends, wherever we went • Riding the ferries in Puget Sound • The very blue skies • Park ranger talk on survival of flora and fauna at Olympic National Park • Sitting around the table in the little house with whoever happened to be there • One on one — heart to heart talks • Rooming with Julie and touring the art museum with an art major • New GPS systems and new places — interesting results. • Millie and Myrtle • Fresh oysters, clams and Dungeness crab • 12 cups of water, 8 scoops of coffee • Lunch on the outside deck in Poulsbo • Cute guy, our age, at the welcome station to Port Townsend • “The kitchen was so clean, it made me feel like chopping vegetables”, Suzie • A break from politics and discussions of the economy • No TV, no radio, no daily paper • Totem pole memorial being built for guy shot by the police in Seattle • Composites • Peter making 2% milk with skim and half and half • Riding with Linda back to the Seattle airport
Heartfelt THANKS to Marianna and Ron for making “OBX” happen, and to Melon for being our week-long “newbie” to the group, enlarging the circle of love and affection that we celebrate.