Jeanine and I got an early start for a short but steep hike to Dark Hollow Falls, a 70 foot high cascade located near the lodge. We then dragged my mother away from the lumberjack size breakfast she was devouring and set off for Fleetwood, North Carolina where my sister Mayela and her husband Stephen recently purchased a cabin in the mountains and where my side of the family will converge for our reunion this weekend.
The view from their cabin porch is absolutely stunning and likely even more spectacular with autumn colors.
Relatives started arriving from all directions throughout the day and it did not take long for the fun to begin. Soccer was the most popular activity despite the fact that an errant pass would wind up half way down the mountain before it could be retrieved.
Friday arrivals included Maya (drove here with Nico and Karuna by way of Shenandoah and the Great Smokey Mountain National Parks), Kyle (directly off a red-eye from California), and nephew Mario (returned yesterday from a 4 month semester abroad in Chile).
Nicolai and niece Sophia arrived via limousine after winning first place in a matching eye contest.
Niece Rosie arrived by piggyback courtesy of Karuna, Nico’s girlfriend.
Nephew Rory walked here from Minnesota with his brother on his back while second cousin Toni slid down from the top of the mountain.
My brother Mark and his wife Marie came directly from a two week chin-on-hand, head resting clinic where they both received high grades.
At 87, my mother remains the picture of health and danced her way here from Albany, New York.
Sister Mayela and husband Stephen are our hosts for the weekend. They share their lives with two Jack Russel Terriers. One is very affectionate, the other will bite you for looking at him the wrong way. He is not pictured for fear of injury to the photographer.
My cousin Heather, her husband Burton and Jeanine arrived under the influence of a libation known locally as “moonshine.” Judging by their respective reactions it is a wonder they did not get lost on the way.
