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| The time we have to all be together is rare, but it's always super special |
Since returning from Athens in early June we've been in Florida. As is always the case at this time of year it's a bit on the hot and humid side, but it's also a special time of year for us because it means time with family and friends.
For two special weeks around the 4th of July the annual Beach House gathering of Beth's family takes place here on Anna Maria Island. Her family has roots on the island that go back to at least 1911. As I understand it, that's when a family member purchased a piece of property on the island. Shortly thereafter the tradition of summertime on the island started, and it's been going strong now for close to a century.
Generations change over the years, but the legacy that was started, not only remains, but is going strong and really growing at a rapid rate. This year at the peak of the two-week reunion there were well over 100 family members on the island enjoying the sand, surf and fellowship. When I say the numbers are growing at a rapid rate, I'm not kidding. This year we made an attempt to get a head count on the number of kiddo's thirteen and under and as best as we could determine there were about 30, and the majority of those were under five years of age! It's nice to know that the legacy and tradition of Beach House is being passed on to the younger generation, just as it has been passed down through the years.
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| This is about 2/3's of the Beach House group.........an amazing tradition! |
Beth and I felt exceptionally fortunate because for a few glorious days we had Ben, Sarah, James and Emma with us (we missed you, Joey!). Ben's time was limited to just two days, since it's one of the busiest times of the year at the campground. We're grateful for those two days and the fact that they overlapped with the six days that Sarah, James and Emma were with us. James and Emma loved spending time with their cousins (no matter how distant the relationship is, everybody at Beach House is an aunt, uncle or cousin). They also had a blast eating popsicles in the pool, waging nerf gun battles and visiting with NaNa.
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| A pose that's been recreated many times through the years! |
In addition to Beach House, I had the opportunity to get together with my brother Gerald for a couple of meals, one of which Beth joined us. Unlike Beth's family, my family is small, but the love for each other is the same. We get to see each other a few times a year and just like Beach House, the time together is always fantastic.
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| It's always fun to get together with Gerald, especially when there is fresh seafood. This is at the Tide Table in Cortez. Our favorites are Tide Table (Cortez), Star Fish Company (Cortez), Anna Maria Oyster Bar (Bridge Street Location) and Woody's River Roo (Ellenton). |
We'll be leaving the island in a few days and heading out to California. We have an Airbnb rented for the month in the small. eclectic town of Monte Rio. We're looking forward to the cooler temperatures near the Pacific coast and under the redwoods, and of course spending time with Sarah, Joey, James and Emma.
Before leaving there was one final big event. This one is a little hard to believe. Next year will mark the 50th year since I graduated from that academic powerhouse known as Mulberry High School. The class ahead of mine (Class of 74) held their 50th class reunion last night. Mulberry was a wonderful place to grow up and the high school, like the town itself is rather small. Everybody pretty much knew each other, not only at school but around the town. It was kind of the Class of 74 to open up their reunion to the other MHS alumni to attend. It was a blast getting to see so many friends from the past, many that I haven't seen in 50 years. One strange thing about it..............they all look older now!
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| MHS Class of 74.........we appreciated their hospitality! |
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| MHS Class of 72 |
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| A few of us were there from the classes of 75 & 76 |
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| Still Standing after all these years! |
It's been a wonderful six weeks here...............the adventure continues!
