Remembering Yamhill...

So I twisted Wendy's arm and she gave me (Marcus) access to post stuff here. We thought it would be good to share the duty. If there's enough interest, we can set up a subscription service so that everyone will receive emails when we post new entries here. It would remind all of you to come post comments! (Let us know if you want that feature.)

Where to start about Yamhill? I thought it would be fun to remember some of our favorite stories from each reunion. I think we've had thirty-seven now. (But I may be off by a few dozen.)

We started officially at Yamhill in Oregon. In fact, that was the last time we were all in Oregon together.

Here's what I remember:

That cool horseshoe river that circled the camp. There was a great swimming hole, with a rope swing and everything. I was in middle school at the time (I think). So swimming holes were not nostalgic yet. They were just cool.

Oh man, those concrete showers. It was a camp after all. We've come a long way since then.

Spoons every night with the cousins. There must have been twenty of us playing at a time. Things got dangerous. We destroyed several decks of cards. We bent several spoons, and bent them back again.

The first talent show! Wanita et al were California Raisins. They put everyone to shame and set the bar for all future talent to include much competition and pre-show stress.

Devotionals in the outdoor amphitheater. That was a good space. The world was our church that week. God's family was our family.

We all took turns doing the dishes. Did I mention that we've come a long way since then?

Some of us came early and stayed with the Dan Goodyears. So many people in one house. And they all wanted to shower daily (thank goodness!) That's when Uncle Dan first taught me about marine corps showers.

And those side trips! The waterfall hike, when some of us stood under a waterfall. I remember Jim, Nathan, Brian, and Me but there were probably others. That water was freezing. We had a picnic somewhere too. Probably in that same park. And someone made a blackberry cobbler that I still remember as the best blackberry cobbler I've ever had.

I'm still trying to forget the late night panty raid. Whose idea was that anyway?

So what do you remember from Yamhill?