June 30, 2012

June 30, 2012

The last day of June was a very busy day for the Dane family.

At 10:30, some of the group headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  Meredith was driving one car with passengers JP, Rosie, and sometime Sara.  My brother, Jim, was driving the second car with wife, Peggy, Brent, myself, and sometime Sara.  It was a beautiful day and a nice road, but lots of traffic.  

We stopped at some of the lookout areas along the way to the highest point on the road.  By the time we got there it was lunch time.  At the park snack bar we got barbecue sandwiches and Cokes.  The young man at the cash register was a student from Clemson, who said he was majoring in psychology and geology.  I asked him if, with those degrees, he would be able to figure out about why rocks are like they are?  What I meant to ask was, would he be able to find out why rocks are cracked.  Do you get the joke...a psychologist and cracked rocks?  Oh well, he got a good laugh out of it, anyway!

By mid afternoon, we had gathered at Meredith and Dwaine’s house, enjoying our time in the backyard, watching the boats on the lake and the dogs playing “doggie” games on the lawn.

As usual, the food was superior...grilled skirt steak, potato salad, roasted red potatoes, salad, watermelon, and Michelle’s homemade rolls.  Dessert was pie, apple crisp, and ice cream.

After eating, the picture taking got into full swing.  Six of us had cameras, some were taking pictures with iPads, and some with cell phones.  A lot of pictures were taken of the dogs.  They got a good feeling of how it felt to be mobbed by the “pup-arazzo.”

Before the party broke up, Brent was presented with a chef jacket, decorated by Lori and signed by everyone in the family.  On the front pocket was an Oregon “O” and “Chef Brent.”  On the back she had painted the Team Frantic logo and referred to Brent as “Uncle Sir,” which is what he told us to call him when he went into the Air Force.

We all had a great time.  Lots and lots of talking and, as usual with this family, a great deal of laughing.