Sunday, July 20, 2008

7-20-08 Reunion



Peter will have to do the magic of Photoshop to get Ben into the pic. Dick's driving will be much more comfortable with his new powder.


Again, feel free to peruse the Rouzaud / Garcia blog. The reunion just took place this weekend at the Valley of the Rogue Campground in Rogue River.. There are up-to-date pictures of the event. It was, by at least my account, a very good occasion. As life unfolds it is a good thing to share this time with the others that make us who we are. Some of us are taking the place of those that were, others are finding out who we are. All of us are on a journey that we are sharing.

I hesitate to write any more, as I don't want to color your impression with my views. Thank you to all of those of you that could make it, young, older, and in-between (me). Know that if you were not there, you were missed and spoken highly of. FYI. Next year, tentatively, the get-together will be on the Oregon Coast around or above Gold Beach. The time needs to be at the end of August or first part of September.

Feel free to post your thoughts, opinions, pictures, and perspectives on the blog. It is ours, and yours.

Jim

21 comments:

Peter said...

It was good to see everyone, and a special highlight being able to see Chuck again. He is a lot of fun, and provides the family with a component that is unique.

For sheer determination to get to the reunion, you got to hand it to Suzie, Darryl and their clan. Then Lili and Jess showed even though her allergies were so bad.

Though all the ladies worked hard, the younger the kids, the harder the parents worked. I should say grandparents too. I had forgotten how hard it is with little kids till I saw Merlin outrun BJ.

Glenda, Lisi, Bonnie and all the second gens and families, we missed you a lot. We're all familiar with busy lives, so we know how hard it is sometimes, and you gotta say no to some things. Hey, maybe next year you can make it. PnK

Anonymous said...

Just so you know, if you do hold the next one on labor day weekend, we won't be there. Work load for others in our group will prevent that. No big deal as far as we are concerned, we just have obligations too.
Justin and I did get a chance to hit the river and have a good run. The cold water felt great !!
When we hit Calif. we hit the smoke again. New fires from Mt. Shasta on down, visibility is about 1/2 to 2 miles, depends on the winds.

Unknown said...

I agree, I think we should go for a weekend with a little less traffic.

Anonymous said...

my understanding is that we already talked about not having it that weekend, but the weekend before.

Unknown said...

How about some of the 2nd gens speaking up to confirm that weekend, since they, except for Ben, are the most inflexible.

Anonymous said...

Now quit saying I am inflexible !! After all, you took the photos before I left ! lol Actually, I didn't mind missing the "photo line up" anyway. Just sorry we missed seeing you before you left. We pulled in as you had just pulled out. You are right though, a "holiday" weekend is always full. Quite a few empty spots around us during the week. We met a nice family from L.A. and they where headed up north to a reunion. We told them how we tried to go to a different area each time and they liked that idea.
Yesterday we picked up a 19 foot trailer for $850.00. Older but very nice. On the way back home we hit around 17 miles a gallon. No tune up of air filter in the car for around 5 yrs., The air filter is about 2 years old, so, all things combined, not really bad. We will bring the trailer next time we go to a reunion. With luck, if you don't mind Peter, we will park next to you so we can talk more.
Chuck and I had a pretty good discussion about different religions and when and how they started. I was surprised at his knowledge on that.
Again, Peter, it is NOT that I am inflexible, it is because I need to support B.J., he came up with us even though his gal, April couldn't make it. I need to repay him. It seems she is the senior worker where she works and the owner wants her to work every holiday since the owner takes them off.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to join that discussion but didn't get to. Kids wanting me to lay downwith them and such. So I only got to hear snippets of it. >_<

I had fun at the reunion, but it was too hot for me to be as energetic or focused as I would have liked. Sadly, heat and sun do quite the number on me anymore, so I'm very glad BJ was able to help with the kids as much as he did (such a good uncle he is to them) and that Athena was able to spend so much time with Suzie and all the cousins. She really liked that, and Merlin enjoyed getting to play ball.

Maybe it would be better to have the reunion at a time it's not too hot and not too cold?

~Teresa

P.S.
Merlin's full bore all day, every day. Anyone have ideas on bottling that? Maybe if I sell the energy I'll have his college taken care of.

Peter said...

Teresa! Good to hear from you. BTW, heat has the same effect on me and Karen. But that's because we're OLD. Yep, BJz a really good uncle, but you should have been there when he tried to lock Merlin in the camper! Merlin escaped in less than 30 seconds. I think BJ knew he would.

Ben, I know your not really inflexible. i wish I was as inflexible as you, in fact, I wish I were more like you, except the grumpy, mean, rotten and hairy part.

Oh Teresa, next year should be cool on the beach; better start praying now for good weather. I think the spot in the banana belt will be good though. They say it's on the beach, but camping some distance away, that'll be good to escape the fog- if any.

Sandi Hooper said...

I was only sad that not everyone could be there, but I LOVED getting to see all the little kids. The older I get, the more like little "flowers" they seem to me: each individual, joyful and precious. What a treat!

Jim & I really appreciate how FLEXIBLE everyone was with the planning and showing up this year. I hope everyone will be able to make it for the next one, and I'm grateful that there WILL BE another one for us all to enjoy.

best wishes,
S=D

Jim said...

Check this place out.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_134.php

Jim

Peter said...

Looks good Jim; Thumbs up from us. Hey Ben, since you have all that time on your hands, you ought to build a couple of these; http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm

Let me know how it goes.

Anonymous said...

actually Peter, I am already on board and plan on just that !! lol guess you ARE getting kinda old if I can be ahead of you for a change ?!! lol

Anonymous said...

Oh, they have teepees... Those are so nice! Lots of sleeping space. And you can't get old, that means I'm working on it... Scary.

Anonymous said...

I, as the head of my group, (and Illa, as my boss) lol both agree on the campground you and Sandi show !! As you know, someone won't like it so why not let the "majority vote" be the location. The rentals for the lake look good, secluded sites and lots of nature to enjoy. The cabins for those that want them are there too. Very good prices also. We will bring our new trailer and the tents. There are nights it is great to be out and feel the breeze on the face !! Maybe I will also bring my telescope for star gazing !!
Again, I vote for Honeyman Lake.

Peter said...

This place sounds good to us. Hey Jim, do you have a link for that video that Randy had on his iphone?

Teresa Garcia said...

Yeah! The kids (and us adults) would love to do some stargazing. I can bring my starmap and a red filter for the flashlights! That could be a really fun activity.

Oh, I have some pictures from the reunion. The ones on Athena's camera didn't come out since the battery died before I could get them to a computer (got her a new one that shouldn't have that problem, shhh Christmas gift if I can keep it hidden long enough).

Pictures

Jim said...

I think we should leave the voting open for a month or two. Some people never get on, or have a REALLY slow internet connection, so they should have a voice too. We stopped there on the way back from Suzie's wedding and thought it to be a very nice place. Tghe weather can really be a factor of course. Foggy mornings, rain a possiblility, and wind. But, that late in the summer there's also a good chance of some really nice weather. The forecast on the coast is always. Cloudy with a chance of summer.
Jim

Anonymous said...

Take the vote when you want Jim, just remember that I already voted. To many changed their votes to many times during the last reunion and we will stick with what I voted. Like I said, we will go with the majority vote. If we can go and it does not conflict with our group and what they need to do. If we can't make the date when ever and where ever it is, we will take our group there the next time we hit the ocean anyway !!

Jim said...

It's a win win, however you look at it!!! But I do hope that we get to see you guys before then.

Jim

Peter said...

Hey; does anyone know Lisi's address? Also, any updates on addresses and phones would be good. Send them via email if you got 'em. Also, anyone know if Chuck is online again? Thanks, PnK

Sandi Hooper said...

Teresa,

Thank you for adding your photos, you got some good ones!

hugs,
Sandi