June 2021
We wanted to celebrate Jim's 50th Birthday and back in Spring we discussed some options that might work with the pandemic in consideration. We decided to go camping and go back to the KOA in Harper's Ferry, WV. It is only an hour away and we knew it was nice. We invited other families to join us and although not everyone could go a lot of them said yes and booked cabins in a cluster with us.
The Arnolds, Arciagas, Shumakers, and Mary Sue & Mak were all joining us to celebrate.
The cicada's were a concern, as the sound was deafening outside, but they has mostly subsided by the time Jim's birthday arrived. It was also the last week of school for Megan and Bridget so we would be heading up after school got out on Friday. Rachael met us at the house and we loaded in, after packing all of the camp gear in the van.
We arrived at KOA and settled into our cabins. A few families beat us there and had set out camp chairs. It was hot and humid. We added our camp chairs to the circle near the center of the cabin cluster. That night we made smores and just relaxed.
The next morning, people filtered out of cabins. I made our family some eggs and sausage and then plans for the day began to take shape. The kids were headed to the river, Eric brought fishing rods, and we had the KOA facilities to check out. Becky and I saw a Park ranger guided tour of the area on the schedule and decided to go. It was a great tour and I learned a lot from the Ranger about the civil war significance of the area and John Brown's raid. I am glad we went. We came back to find a happy group at the campsite, with kids all off at the river.
Saturday dinner I was making a big group meal. Jim picked gumbo, so I got a big pot and we made use of the single propane burner. All of the Moms pitched in and helped me make the rice, grill the andouille sausage, slice the French and corn bread and set up the serving line. It was fantastic to work together. Dinner went great. Jim opened some gifts, drank some beers, laughed and smiled. We had his favorite dessert: cookies and had a cookie cake. Johanna carried the cookie cake as we sang "Happy Birthday".
It was a fun night. the kid's played ga-ga ball and went to the playground. They had glow bracelets and Johanna directed a glow-stick dance, that the teens happily played along with. Then we eagerly awaited Emma's arrival. She was working the later shift at the Park and was coming after work. She didn't want to miss Jim's 50th Birthday Celebration. She arrived after 11:00PM, still in uniform. It was great to have her join us. The four oldest shared a cabin and enjoyed talking late into the evening.
Happy 50th Birthday Jim!
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