Oh what fun we had. We have been doing this for a while now, and every year seems to bring more fun, more interest and more traditions!
‘Twas the week before Christmas,
our
annual times
To gather together
for
fun of all kind.
The stockings were hung
on the stairway with care,
With hopes that everyone
Soon
would be there.
Soon the creatures were stirring
in
and out of each house,
Strewing lights and candles
and
Santas about.
Outside arose a noise we could hear.
All in our sneakers
and
warm outerwear,
We ran to the front
to
see what was there.
We tore open the screendoor
and
ran to the porh
When what to our listening
ears
should appear,
The cars were arriving
with
bikes on the rear.
Coupeville so close that a little call
brought
pizza for dinner to feed us all.
We talked and laughed,
and
one by one
We drifted to bed
as
our day was done.
All snuggled up
in
our bedroom of choice
In our fuzzy heads
we
could hear a small voice:
On Vickie and Gerry,
Vernetta and Liz; on Susan and Nancy, on Maridee and Carol; on Angela, Christina and JJ
too; on Kristi and
Kristin, on Cheryl (at last); on Jody and Lisa who could not come, for a food borne illness kept them home.
Now ride away, ride away, ride away all.
Merry Christmas to us, let’s be of good cheer
As we all ride together for another good year.
Saturday brought us sun and blue sky for a fantastic riding
day. We cycled along on tree lined, lightly trafficked rural roads with water
views and mountain views and just a few modest hills for the heart.
There was delightful lunch in Coupeville and some shopping
afterwards. The 50% off shop got a bit of our business, and some got red
tickets from venders to bring with them the next day for a drawing to win
$1000. I have not heard if anyone
of our group won?
Now it was a few short miles back to the cabins where we
would prepare for the evening’s event. Vickie researched and reserved the
officer housing at Ft. Casey and we felt we were in luxury accommodations.
Everything was provided – bedding, towels, cooking apparatus and utensils!!
Those of us that have participated in our minimal weekends, bringing all of
that gear with us to sparse housing, were confused to not have to bring
anything! Don’t mistake – those minimal adventures were fantastic as well, it
is just that this felt decadent! We even had separate bedrooms upstairs from
kitchen and living room areas. We took up three “cottages” (duplexes actually)
plus Vernetta’s quarters. Vickie had brought lights and decorations for each cottage,
and Cheryl had bought a bigger tree for us for this year. Each of our “homes”
had a warm and welcoming glow as we entered, and it definitely felt like
Christmas.
Breakfast had been prepared by Kristin this morning, dinner
would be ala Vickie, and Sunday Christina and Angela would feed us. With snacks, drinks and side dishes, (as
usual) there was no shortage of food. But first we had to get the table working correctly!
Now it was time for the gift exchange part, which was much
calmer this year than most. There was not a lot of gift stealing, and we were
anxiously waiting to get into those stockings! A new tradition has begun - Vickie has
put our names on each stocking for filling each year.
We ate breakfast and packed up our stuff on Sunday morning,
then went for a wonderful walk. We strolled through Fort Casey campground and
all around the fort, around the gun turrets, over the grounds, to (and up) the
lighthouse, and back home.
Time to say our goodbyes until next time. We never look
forward to that! But – we will be riding together again soon, will be back here for our Christmas weekend next year under Vickie’s flawless coordination! Thank you Vickie
for all you did to not only make this happen, but to make it such a warm and
memorable holiday for us all.
Pedal Up,
Nancy