Family Reunion Trip summary-part two

Saturday, July 2
Saturday was a day for individual activities or group activities at the reunion. I chose to play golf Saturday morning. I played with BL, a 78-year old retired minister who stills swims a mile a day, and DH, the husband of DL and a retired mental health specialist. As usual, my golf game was not Tiger Woods-esque, but I did have a marvelous drive on the final hole, a par 4 where you hit your tee shot off of a 250-foot-high cliff and hope it lands on the fairway below.
Some of us had choir practice in the afternoon in preparation for church service Sunday morning. We practiced for an hour and then split up for more activities. I decided to stick around with the remaining choir singers and playfully sing some rounds that PL had brought with him. I have always appreciated the musical ability of PL. He has the unusual ability to sing and hum at the same time and he can sing a round by himself. Also, he has a very educated knowledge of music whether religious or not. And all at the age of 84! Amazing!
Saturday night was spent on Burke Mountain at a barbecue. I drove my car to the mountain with cousin ER and wife and cousin DR as passengers. The road up the mountain was a very steep drive, very challenging for cars and their transmissions. The traditional barbecue-fare was served for dinner: hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc. After dinner we played more of the “Brush with Fame” game and learned of 94-year-old GP’s acquisition of a Babe Ruth autographed baseball some seventy to seventy-five years ago—an amazing story. I hope she can make the next reunion three years from now. After marshmallows and smores, the cold evening started to get the better of us. So we drove down the mountain, made a stop at a roadside store, and returned to the state college. ER and DR spent the rest of the evening programming their handheld computers and having a brotherly chat. Meanwhile, I joined some other family members for an evening of conversation and wine.

Sunday, July 3
On Sunday morning, we had our church service. Three family members who attended the reunion are Presbyterian ministers: my Uncle, BL, and DVD. I was happy that BL, in his prayer of remembrance of family members, mentioned both my mom and dad. DVD delivered the actual sermon. I met him for the first time at this family reunion. My mom was especially familiar with the VD family. DVD organized a family/group trip to China that my mom took back in 1988.
After service, we took family pictures and held the family meeting to determine the next location of the family reunion. It was determined that my Uncle PR will be coordinator for the next reunion and the location will either be Washington State or Idaho. This western location will help family members from the west coast who could not make the long trip to attend this year’s reunion.
After exchanging emails and saying my goodbyes, I drove down to Albany, NY to spend the night. The drive went without incident although I encountered a Vermont gas station that still offers full service. The attendant went about his business when he realized I didn’t need any help. After spending the night in Albany, my plan was to drive to Cooperstown, NY on Monday morning to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.