Thanks for returning to a blog which has been neglected since it was snowing in May. Summer in Silverton is so fleeting that I spend as much of it outside as possible---winter is the time to be seated at one's computer blogging.
Lake Wallowa, Oregon (pronounced wa-low-a, not wall-oh-wa) is a spectacular place! Coming from the glorious San Juan Mountains of Colorado, I have to admit it takes a pretty amazing mountain to impress me---the scenery in NE Oregon is just that---impressive! Our Davis Family Reunion was held in this area---near Joseph, named after the Nez Pierce Chief. Here is a view from the highway headed into the campground and resort where we all gathered:
A tramway to the top of one of the peaks gives a grand view of the lake and the surrounding farm country. We rode the tram on a day that was foggy and rainy at the top but even that experience was mysterious and beautiful.
All but one of the living "original cousins"were there---here we are enjoying lining up together. [You had to be in the line to fully appreciate the comments made by all the male cousins---Patricia and I have always received the amount of teasing that convinces us the guys really do like us even though they have always out-numbered us as much as three-to-one!] The visiting was great, with lots of laughter and joy during the three-day event.
Here is the entire family group---you can see there were lots of us so something was always going on---a pinochle game, a shopping trip, a serious discussion, a cup of coffee or beer together, a tour of the local foundary which creates bronze artworks for places such as the World War II Monument in Washington, a ride up the mountain on the tram... 
Then there was the food! Bacon and yak summer sausage from North Dakota, Black Angus burgers from Montana, ribs and chicken from Portland, salads and home-made biscuits and a gi-normous (is that how to spell it?) carrot cake, wonderful hot and cold appetizers, and, of course, the traditional Davis oysters on the grill. Here is grill-master Brent minding the oysters on a huge traveling grill brought by the other grill guru, Paul. Looks as if Cole came all the way from Chicago to open the oysters for the rest of us. Thanks, guys!
Of course some of the ladies, who can sniff out shopping for miles, found the best shops in charming Joseph---look at the stunning boots Lenore and Amber found! Yep---cowboy boots made out of rubber (a sort of sophisticated Wellie)---they put the rest of us to shame in our sneakers and Keens!
It was a delightful reunion, even though we were missing family members from locations including but not limited to Texas, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Australia. Special thanks to Paul and Ronda, Brent and Risa for choosing such a lovely spot and all their effort. 2012 will be the next reunion, probably in the Black Hills area of South Dakota so:
Here is the entire family group---you can see there were lots of us so something was always going on---a pinochle game, a shopping trip, a serious discussion, a cup of coffee or beer together, a tour of the local foundary which creates bronze artworks for places such as the World War II Monument in Washington, a ride up the mountain on the tram... Then there was the food! Bacon and yak summer sausage from North Dakota, Black Angus burgers from Montana, ribs and chicken from Portland, salads and home-made biscuits and a gi-normous (is that how to spell it?) carrot cake, wonderful hot and cold appetizers, and, of course, the traditional Davis oysters on the grill. Here is grill-master Brent minding the oysters on a huge traveling grill brought by the other grill guru, Paul. Looks as if Cole came all the way from Chicago to open the oysters for the rest of us. Thanks, guys!Of course some of the ladies, who can sniff out shopping for miles, found the best shops in charming Joseph---look at the stunning boots Lenore and Amber found! Yep---cowboy boots made out of rubber (a sort of sophisticated Wellie)---they put the rest of us to shame in our sneakers and Keens!
It was a delightful reunion, even though we were missing family members from locations including but not limited to Texas, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Australia. Special thanks to Paul and Ronda, Brent and Risa for choosing such a lovely spot and all their effort. 2012 will be the next reunion, probably in the Black Hills area of South Dakota so:PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 2012 DAVIS FAMILY REUNION
GENERALLY HELD THE THIRD WEEKEND OF JUNE
ASSOCIATE FAMILY MEMBERS MAY APPLY!
PS: next posting will be 4th of July in Silverton when I had a houseful of welcome guests!
