Good morning Woodloch, my magic place, my home away from home, my HOME--no "away" is necessary. Not being able to see you in 2020 was agonizing--especially since 2020 was the year of the toilet paper shortage, which made me very very dependent on personal bidets, which...is a small sacrifice to pay for my home away from home.
It is different..there is still a little of the Covid residual..no staff show, no Vegas-caliber theme show, no group mania..but..I'll take it. Because even a little Woodloch goes a long way.
I burst into tears when we got here..actually, when we got off of the congested highway and onto the scenic route for the last hour or so...the familar sights came along with the emotion.
Evan and his delightful, wonderful, playful, adorable girlfriend Phebe joined us a little later, just when the rain started but couldn't damper any spirits.
Todd and Marissa joined us for a private Scavenger Hunt soon after, and even with a team of six, we had a respectable showing. (which means no prizes) Evan and Phebe had to run around the whole campus(and it's Phebe's first time--she was running in unchartered waters)) imitating famous movie quotes based on a landmark. (For example, they'd have to run to the boat launch dock and imitate the most famous line from "Jaws".. reportedly improvised by Roy Schneider. ..Or they'd have to meet at the bell and recite the most famous line from "It's a Wonderful Life." Evan did all of this..while solving a challenging football puzzle, having him identify team logos but not in the colors they're known for.
Our rental for the week is gorgeous..smack in the middle of the perfectly manicured golf course.
Steven and Jane met us in the lobby--they were checking in as we headed for dinner--and they too, felt like they were coming home to a warm family reunion. (But the family was unfortunately us)
A few years ago, before the Internet ruined my name, Todd would tease me mercilessly when I'd go all Monica Geller on my crew--which I do all the time--if they're NOT having the fun that I demand they have: if they're NOT hustling to get to activities in time. He'd say, in that bellowing Seth Rogen voice of his, "Karen...calm down!!"
Which..has become out team name for every event we've gone to so far. It's hilarious--or would be--if I wasn't said Karen.
We did a little bit of horseracing before playing a fantastic "Family Feud" inspired game called "Survey Says." Steven aced the round where teams had to name the most popular sports cars, I did fairly well with "romantic movies" and even when given help with the initials and length of the word, I still couldn't think of "Steel Magnolias"
We didn't win, but we won something bigger--family laughter and camaraderie.
The forecast is great today..Scott and Miriam and their enthusiastic kids come down from Maryland tonight..and once again, the schedule is packed to the gills, which makes a four or five day stay here feel like a two week vacation. I'm going to a Silver Screen movie game with Jim, and then he'll join the gang for Field Games with a Pennsylvania theme.
Then there's carnival, and lake time, and...
..I am very boring today. And sleep deprived.
My real blogs will come as the week progresses..
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