Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 46: The Captain's Cook Out

We didn't leave. It wouldn't have made sense to leave. The weather was perfect for a backyard party, and so many of our friends who were behind us kept showing up! It's memorial day weekend and we aren't at the beach, so party we did.



Captain's three sisters (Kathy, Suzanne, and [sister #3]) and his hiking partner, Martha, were there with Shirley, and they were coordinating the games and food. We woke up to coffee brewing under the tent and biscuits baking in the oven.




As the day got warmer, a few kids went tubing in the stream. The water was COLD and the stream wasn't exactly calm after the big rains yesterday and the rocks, but I had a go. Made it down without any injuries, and I laid out in the grass to dry. There were a lot of people and dogs by now, then the games began. First there was "aluminum foil creations," where teams made things out of aluminum foil. The foil bikini and the kitten captain won a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream each.




Next was the bear rope toss. Then "pack attack" scavenger hunt in contestants' packs. Then there was a nature scavenger hunt. Then there was a water toss. Then limbo.






I may be forgetting a few events, but it was a great time, and luckily I was in close with a few ice cream winners... Food was served all day as the grill kept running. There was a guy who had an old school ice cream maker (on a trailer with an engine) so there was homemade strawberry ice cream, too! Lots of food and dessert. I think Xan said he had six cheeseburgers and a few hot dogs. Neutron probably at least tied him. Apparently, there were 100 burgers made and 150 hot dogs, and there were lots of salads and desserts. A few hikers collected money and went on a beer run. And it never rained!!

I caught up with a bunch of kids, met a few new faces - including some I'd heard of but had never crossed paths - and I hung out with Captain's sisters. Fun fun bunch of folks. A really great day. It was completely ok to take another zero day. This was a do-not-miss opportunity. And we didn't miss it!

The day rolled into the evening and eventually were all around the fire as the full [ish] moon rose. Stayed up a bit too late, but I made it to bed finally. We've got miles to make up, and I don't think we will make The Homeplace now (boo). Guess there's something to come back for next year...?


-- Posted from the trail...

Location:The Captain's House

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi Carrie, I am Xan's Aunt Y. Just hiked 7 miles today in Hunstville State Park, TX and thought about you all going a gazillion miles. Thanks for all the detailia and wonderful stories. Congrats to all of you and your adventures. Would love to send a box, will check with my sister, Xan's Mom, about an address and date. Think about stuff y'all would like and let me know on your blog or gotdragonfly@gmail.com. Love, Aunt Y