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| The officer's quarters |
And what a difference a year can make! Last year we enjoyed cycling in sun and blue skies. This year we bundled up for the rain and wind.
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| Rain, cold and wind preparation. |
Half of our group planned to do the 25 mile loop ride into Coupeville and back. We intrepidly mounted our bikes and confidently began our journey. Within about a tenth of a mile some of us were considering turning around and returning to the warmth of the fire place in our cabin! But we battled on for about a mile before regrouping and re-planning our plan! We were buffeting strong and cold winds off the sound pelting what felt like ice pellets into the side of our faces. Hiding our face with gloved hand helped lessen the pain only a little. OK, let's do the shorter 15 mile loop. We can get to Coupeville for lunch and have cars brought by others who could then drive us back home -- 15 miles now becomes 7. But two of us would shorten it even a bit more, and become one of the shuttle cars.
We did all enjoy lunch in Coupeville.
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| Lunch in Coupeville |
Most of the other half of our group ventured out for a much shorter ride to at least get on their bikes. One knew better than to even try, and one arrived after our lunch for the other festivities of the weekend.
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| Santa Vickie and her elf Gerry hang the stockings |
| In addition to stockings, the elves hung lights and placed other Christmassy stuff in each unit for all of us to get the festive feel of the season. |
| The table gets decorated |
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| The table gets decorated |
| Food was abundant as usual with many munchies and drinks provided by everyone, and two breakfasts and dinner prepared by Maridee, Vickie and Kristin. |
| The table gets decorated |
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| Christmas caroling begins |
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| Relaxing and visiting is a big part of the festivities |
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| We always enjoy the chatting! |
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| Santa hands out stockings after gift exchange game |
Our evening ended with the "Imagine If" game with questions like "Imagine if we were all at the Boston Tea Party. Who would be the first to throw the tea overboard?". (Maridee won this title). We didn't follow the written rules (don't even know what they are) and got some good laughs from our version of playing.
Of course I read our Christmas poem from last year as part of our tradition, and changed only a few names at the end. (Delete Cheryl's, add Laura and Deborah's).
The next morning was dry with little wind so I opted to take a short ride.
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| Several heron put this morning but only one posed |
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| Several heron out this morning but only lone posed |
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| Lazy Admiral's Cove |
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| Blockhouse and my bike |
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| About blockhouses |
Returning to the cabins there was a flurry of activity of packing and cleaning in preparation of departure. And fresh baked ginger cookies by Angela. Nice way to finish my ride.
We are always sorry to see this special holiday weekend come to an end, but know we will be back again next year. And several of us are planning to extend our stay next year for a third night, departing on Monday. I wish it could be all of us, but some of us continue to be wage slaves and must work.
Come back next year.
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