Odyssey

SUNDAY

The Gatewood reunion. Fifty or sixty adults and children gathered to celebrate their ancestory. All descended from Joel and Almina Gatewood; most were descendents of Thornton W. Gatewood. Grace Smith, the elder is 92 (93 in September). She really keeps going and going. She is my role model and I hope I got a lot of the same genes she did. There were about five babies born since we last met two years ago. Their names and birthdates will appear on the Gatewood family news--soon. Shae Rachel Gustafson Johnston, 3 and a half received M&Ms for the youngest attending.

The feast began at noon; followed by a brief talk by Paul D. Smith about our ancestors. Everyone scattered after that. Some had a second dessert. Swimming, hiking and paddle boats were available at the park. In the air conditioned lodge Joe and Connie Herman led a BINGO game. Visiting and sharing of photos and stories continued throughout the afternoon.

At five PM the food returned to the tables. Hikers, swimmers, paddlers and wandering relatives returned to the lodge to eat again. Clean-up,loading of mini vans and a few cars, and prolonged good-byes and the Mallett Lodge was quiet again.


MONDAY
FISHING DAY
Myrna, Bob, Shirley, David, Cassie, Skyler, Alex and Shae
The clouds hovered in the sky and the weather station predicted 75% chance of rain and that reduced to 30% by the time we left for lunch at Burger King. Five adults and three kids invaded the noon hour rush and we got our lunch. A stop for minnows and a short drive to Weirspan lake where Shae caught the first fish and after holding it for release declared, "Something stinks." while waving her fishy hands in front of her face. Skyler and Alex each reeled in a fish and we moved on to the Fremont lakes. (Cassie left us briefly for an appointment) Bob, David, Skyler and Alex fished while Myrna, Shirley and Shae walked to the little store for ice cream and Jelly Bellys. On their return to the dock, Alex and Skyler excitedly led them to the "little" fish David had caught. They said it measured 19 inches.

We loaded back in the red van and drove to Blair to Pizza Hut where our own Emily Carson served us pizza and drinks. Cassie had rejoined us and ordered our pizza in advance.

We left hurridly to make it to Bob Gatewood's baseball game in Uhling. The ball field was deserted. Randy and Janell caught up with us and through cell phone calls we found out we were suppose to be in Hooper. SOooooo off we went to Hooper thinking we could see some of the family at the end of the game. We did get to see Bob make a base hit that brought in one run. He had the largest cheering section. Skyler and Alex got to run around the bases before playing in the park.

Home to bed.