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| Amy, Al, Carol, me, Rich, Chris, Steve, Jonelle, Karen |
For three summers in a row, Jonelle has hosted an end-of-summer party at her place. She likes to go with a theme. For the first year, she said she would really like to see what her hiking buddies look like when they dress up, so
that's what we did (the pictures of us in our finery are at the end). Last year, she asked us to wear the oldest thing still in our closet. That made for
quite a variety of outfits.
And this year (can you guess?), it was a hat party. In the invitation she said that clothing is optional, but a hat is not. Fourteen people showed up, five in addition to the ones in this picture (taken by Jonelle's husband Carl). It was wonderful to see Amy again, who has been absent from our hikes because of a new knee and back problems.
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| Amy and Jonelle catching up |
That's one unfortunate side effect of being a member of this elite group of Senior Trailblazers: we come and we go, and sometimes we are sidelined for a while because of injuries or our inevitable infirmities. We all, however, enjoy getting together for reunions or holidays to celebrate our connection. You don't spend an entire day together every week for long before you realize your extended family has grown.
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| Ross, Bob, Steve, Rich telling tall tales |
While some of the guys sat around on the porch, unbeknownst to Steve a cake was being prepared to celebrate his birthday, which happened to be yesterday, the day of our party. I must admit I enjoyed the cake in spite of myself, and having eaten more than I intended, today I'm going to be very good. It amazes me that when I overeat, the next morning I am really hungry. Does that happen to everyone?
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| Sunset taken from Jonelle's porch |
Jonelle has a wonderful view of Bellingham Bay from her expansive covered porch, and I caught this picture before we headed back to our respective homes. I again thank all my dear hiking buddies for another simply wonderful summer of hikes to many of the most beautiful places in the universe. And to Jonelle for hosting once again, and I'm already planning my outfit for next year.
:-)
I love the view from her deck! I'm glad you had a wonderful time surrounded by fabulous friends.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, if I eat too much - or too late - I find that I am STARVING in the morning! Whereas, normally, it takes me an hour or two before I get hungry after waking up.
Love that view. And your extended family.
ReplyDeleteWhen I eat those chocolate chip cookies from Costco, I feel sick later. Too much sugar, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI love those end of summer parties you photograph so well.
Well, I hope there is another happy hiking year in the mix for 2015 for y'all!!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun and lots of laughter and conversation with good friends with mutual interest [and maybe new interests outside the trail talk].
LOVE the sunset!!!
i love that your group celebrates together - even if it is just cupcakes for the month's birthdays. what a view, too! cute hat party!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely party. Did you recognize each other? ;-) Looks like you were all having a great time.
ReplyDeleteAny very good group seems to do more than hike. They also socialize.
ReplyDeleteI have so missed reading your posts DJan. What a great post about your group :) i liked the hat theme too!
ReplyDeleteAh, at some point the women will have to wear bikinis and the guys will have to wear olympic swim suits!
ReplyDeleteI do love to see "old people" having fun. You have created a very rich life for yourself there in B-ham.
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ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had fun catching up and truly wonderful sunset. Now that's eye catching and a nice end to a get together. Some elegant, cute n funny hats there. he,he Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteWonderful sunset photo ... you probably took yours just three hours after I took mine!
ReplyDeleteThe photo is spectacular and I love the idea of a party to celebrate the end of summer (or anything else for that matter). What a great group to be part of. Im eager to join such a group (only running) when I return to the states.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an awesome view! How lucky to be able to see that outside of your door every day. Blessings sent for another great year for all of your hiking family.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do find that when I overeat I have a hard time filling up later. Stomach stretch?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a most fun party. I admire that group and I appreciated hearing how you come and go with injuries. Gives me hope (as I sit here with my elevated and iced broken toe.
You have such a fine group of friends. And clearly, so much fun hanging with them. At first, I couldn't see a hat on Jonelle's head but when I squinted and leaned in, there it was, after all. She comes up with good themes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful sunset view.. that vivid orange is probably stimulated your appetite. ;) But yes, I wake up very hungry if I eat later than usual the night before. I'm not sure if that applies to what you mean.. but similar concept, I think.
Thanks for another fun post.
That sunset was a breathtaking way to punctuate an end of summer party. I love her ideas for attire. That would make dressing for the party fun. I guess no one came only wearing the hat:))
ReplyDeleteIf I have anything greasy, I am starved for the next day.
Those parties look like such fun. Nice that you got to connect with Amy, too. That sunset is gorgeous!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I giggled at Mikeys hat..tell him I though it was way cool:) You all look great what a fun bunch! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great assortment of hats. I really like the umbrella hat in the back. It looks like you all had a fabulous time together. It's hard to believe the first day of autumn is so near.
ReplyDeleteI'm a hat person. That's a very fine assortment of hats!
ReplyDeleteCheers to extended families and celebrating with them.
Well don't you all look great in your finery and with hats! I love hats and I like to see other people wearing hats too.
ReplyDeleteYes I also feel hungry the day after I've eaten well! Wonder why that is?
You all have so many great adventures together. Plus cake! Whoo hoo!
ReplyDeleteThat sunset is just the best. Glad you got a chance to celebrate with your hiking buddies.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a hat party. What fun! That is an incredible sky! Your hiking group sounds like such a fun, happy group of friends. And yes, there have been times when I've over-eaten and still gotten up hungry. Art can't understand it. When he overeats, he's not hungry for a long time which is probably why he's thinner than I am.
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, you've been in Bellingham only seven years and made so many friends. I think part of that is your joining the hiking group.
ReplyDeleteI find myself a little envious of you. In Minnesota, where I lived for 38 years, I had many friends. Here in Missouri I don't. That my fault really because I haven't volunteered or joined any group since coming here five years ago. I find myself making the choice to write instead of join.
I volunteered in Minnesota for most of my time there and I've decided not to do that again, but I could join a group of like-minded people. I could; but I don't. Instead, I've become somewhat of a recluse.
Maybe that's what this last part of my life is to teach me--to be in the moment of solitude. All I know is that life is good. Peace.
Looks like a fun gathering-- and the hat theme is a hoot!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little jealous of your friend's gorgeous deck view! WOW. With views like that I'd never make it to the hiking trail ;-)
xo jj
wonderful party. i love to see your happy.
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