Possum Kingdom Lake - August 2013

The Dodds Clan at Possum Kingdom Lake

 We found out about Frank's 85th birthday party at Possum Kingdom Lake about a week ago and thought it would be fantastic to see everyone.  Shawna was able to re-direct her flight from Hartford to fly straight to DFW while Keith bought a flight from Denver to DFW - both of us landing at 10:30pm on Friday. Keith's parents picked us up at the airport and we went straight back to their house and to bed.

Graham, Christine, Keith and Shawna

Graham, Julie and Christine

The next morning we were up at 6:30am to do a bit of work before heading off to the Lake.  It is about a 2 hour drive door to door, including the obligatory stop at the last Starbucks before the Lake.  Margaret and the kids were a few minutes in front of us so arrived first - Graham was unable to make it as it was still Dallas Restaurant Week.

Josie

Owen

The whole clan was there:  Frank, Jackie, Christine/Clayton/Graham, Julie/Michael, as well as some of Frank's relatives from the UK who happened to be traveling around Texas.  After saying our hellos we went straight down to the dock for a swim.  It was good to chat with everyone while relaxing in the water.  Owen and Josie were great swimmers - Owen completed his first dive and then kept doing them, and both the kids swam out to the floating dock to jump off that.

Keith and Clayton

Lunch was sandwiches in the cabin followed by Christine taking a few of us on a boat ride.  Dinner was grilled shrimp, sausages and veggies prepared by Jackie, with everyone eating in the cabin.  Frank opened some birthday gifts while we all sipped sangria and then we headed back to Colleyville, arriving there about 11pm.

Christine

Jackie

Out flight was at 9am on Spirit Airlines, our first attempt at that budget carrier.  When checking in we found that this is one of the airlines that makes all their money off fees - we were charged $50 each for the roller bag that would not fit under the seat.  To really impress us, the plane had a mechanical issue so we took off 4 hours later than scheduled.  Not wanting to waste our time sitting around, we used the time to plan our vacations and weekends for '14 so not all was lost.

Frank

Long Island - August 2013

Shawna was on the East Coast for work and took the opportunity to visit her friend Chris for the weekend in Oakdale (on Long Island) as Chris was at her bungalow in Oakdale for the summer.  It was a girls (and kids) weekend - Keith went to Texas for a scout reunion and Steve (Chris' husband) was down in the Keys working.

Edie at 5 Months!

Shawna flew into Islip on Friday evening - Chris picked her up and we drove out to Garden City to meet up with two of Chris' high school friends (Nora and Pam) for dinner.  We had an awesome Italian meal at La Nonna Bella.  Shawna knew her two friends from the wedding so it was great to catch up and see pictures of all of their kids.  We drove back to Chris' bungalow and stayed up until 2am chatting and laughing.  We paid for this the next day as we were both very tired!

Nate at 3.5 Years Old!

On Saturday morning, we relaxed at the bungalow and played with Chris' two kids - Nate who is now 3.5 years old and talks up a storm and Edie who is 5 months old and is just so smiley and adorable!  We were able to pawn off Nate to Lisa (Chris' sister in-law) and we went into Sayville with Edie to grab lunch at Five Points Cafe.  We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table so we walked around and went into a few shops.  When we got back to the bungalow, Shawna and the kids napped while Chris cleaned.  We then went over to her siblings house to say hello to everyone and then Chris got a babysitter so that we could go out to dinner in Sayville.  We went to the carnival for a few minutes but then bagged that and opted to sit out on the porch at La Tavola to have a few drinks and appetizers.  We were both still full from lunch so we only nibbled on a few items.  Back at the bungalow, we stayed up until 1am chatting with one of Chris' neighbors and then crashed.

We did not do too much on Sunday as Shawna had to leave early.  Chris drove her to the airport but then Shawna's flight was delayed by 3.5 hours, causing Shawna and Keith to miss the Indigo Girls concert they had planned on Sunday evening.

While the trip was short, it was awesome to catch up with Chris and laugh about old times!

Troop 340 Reunion - August 2013

Keith's old Scout Troop 340 decided to have a reunion weekend so we both separated for the weekend, with Shawna heading to Long Island to see Chris and Keith to Texas for the reunion.  We were both on the road the week before (Shawna in Hartford and Keith in DC).

Keith, Josie, and Owen at Six Flags

Keith flew from Baltimore early Friday morning, first heading to Plano to see a property and also meet with a software vendor.  Following lunch he headed to Six Flags, where Margaret, Owen, and Josie were spending the day.  Keith had not been to Six Flags in probably 25 years or more.  After paying the exorbitant parking fee of $20 and admission of $50, Keith met Margaret and the kids for a couple of hours of rides - including the Judge Roy Scream and the Mini Mine Train.  It was crazy hot - 104 degrees plus humidity - but the kids kept going like troopers.


After three hours at the park Margaret called it a day - so Keith then headed to Dallas to see Graham at Central 214.  Graham was hoping to make the reunion but since he was missing a sous chef he had to bag the trip.  After a quick dinner of a salad Keith started the three hour drive to the cabin.

Caddo Lake

The reunion was held in Uncertain, TX - so named because the original surveyors were uncertain if it was in Texas or Louisiana.  The town has a a population of 94 according to the sign and sits on Caddo Lake, one of the the only natural lakes in Texas.  It was a small but motley crew: Gary, Clif, Bobby, Lee, Clark, and Keith were able to make it.  Clif arranged a cabin with a/c for the weekend, and given the crazy temperatures and high humidity it was a great call.  The cabin was at 161 North Mossy Brake Road, in the Gallery and the Rookery.  The cabin had 3 rooms downstairs plus a lot of sleeping space upstairs.  You could tell this was a reunion of Texas boys once four differnet handguns were put aside on the table!  We all stayed up until 2am chatting on the Friday night - later than most ever really stay up now all are in our 40s.

Lee, Gary, Clif, and Keith at the boat dock

Saturday was more relaxing and catching up - we ventured out of the house only twice: once to see the lake and then to head to dinner at RiverBend restaurant - a surprisingly busy place on a Saturday night.  We headed to bed at about midnight which was great for Keith as he had to get up at 6am for the 3 hour drive back to DFW airport.