Every three years there is a family reunion with relatives on the maternal side of the family. It is a great custom. We renew stories, catch up on family news, laugh, eat, drink and play games. This year's location was at Peek 'n' Peak resort in Findley Lake, New York. It turned out to be a great location. Peek 'n' Peak is located in the rural southwestern corner of New York. The corn crop looks great at this time. Some of the wheat fields have already been plowed. We have never had a bad location for a reunion; all have been beautiful locations with different local highlights. The biggest plus of this location was the proximity of the rental houses. There was less than a block walk between houses. The houses held a lot of people; with only four units rented for the 49 attendees. The units were right off the upper golf course, which made for some fun night games of softball and chip shots.
The local sites visited during this reunion were: the town where Lucille Ball was born; New York wine country; Niagra Falls, golf, Panama Rocks, Chautauqua Institute, Amish communities, minor league baseball in Erie, comedy night at Beamus Lake and more.
Niagra Falls was my highlight. The pictures are of the blue people looking at the American Falls. The Canadian, Horseshoe Falls created a rain environment in which no pictures could be taken. There were several boat trips offered. Maid of the Mist went to the bottom of the falls (the sounds, water and waves displayed the power of these falls). There were also boat trips on the rapids of the river downstream from the falls (which were enjoyed by the thrill seekers); the wine country tour was a hit with the "yutes" and Susan and Ann (Susan's sister); the wine was alright. The golf was wonderful. there were two courses, one cheap and pretty, one expensive with gorgeous views. Panama Rocks Park was enjoyed by all who participated.
Another ritual of our reunions is the 16" softball game. This game is not for fame and glory; it is for fun and good sportspersonship. Here is a picture of one of the teams. Golf was an important activity. It was fun to play with family members. This is a picture of someone teeing off; the view behind was great.
The golf scramble has always been a high point of the reunion. One of the criteria for finding a reunion location has been the golf course. People who never play golf will join the scramble, my favorite type of golf game. This picture is of the winning scramble team.
(Post reunion note: Some questions have been raised by another team as to a possible tie for the win.)
Family photo shots are not a pleasant part of the reunion. We all love the photos years later as we reminisce about past reunions. At the time of the pictures there is a never ending source of frustration similar to herding cats towards their bath.
The reunion took place in a corner of New York that housed Amish and Mennonite families. It was not unusual on the side roads to see a horse drawn carriage. A nice touch to this year's reunion was having the last dinner be at a restaurant. It was at a family style Amish restaurant.
This helped alleviate the dinner clean up. All other dinners were prepared by different family groups.
Here were some glimpses into the beautiful surrounding farm land in the area of the reunion. Tomorrow all reunionites disburse to other locations. Sandy and I head up to explore the Province of Ontario.
