Highs and Lows of a Mountain Vacation, Chapter One

Today's post is about one of the highs of our Smoky Mountain Family Reunion. I will soon write about the low and trust me, it was definitely a low point for all of us. 

During lunch at the Apple Barn, (which took 45 minutes for a five mile journey- OY! The traffic is INSANE!), I decided we needed to have a party. Not just any party. I wanted to have THE BEST PARTY IN THE WORLD! Talk about pressure! At eight o'clock our guests arrived and we greeted them with left-over gifts from Nate's send-off party and left-over necklaces from my stepfather's 50th birthday party. Plus left-over gifts that we didn't even order but arrived in a package with all the stuff we bought for Nate's send-off party. No one seemed to care, it just lent to a festive mood. Note the chili pepper necklaces most of our guests are wearing. 

My brother-in-law is an attorney by day but we learned he has a potential second career. Professional Bingo Caller. We didn't know about this hidden talent. Maybe JD and Isaac and the Tender Tones can have a gig sometime soon. Maybe not. I have included a video segment for your perusal and I'm sure you will agree that JD's got some mad Bingo calling skills. 

We had family in one room playing Bingo winning amazing prizes ala Oriental Trading Company and another bunch of family in my mom's room playing Pit. 

According to family legend, Grandma Muth used to say, "there is no family when it comes to cards." Uncle Brad brought Pit, a frenzied card trading game that he has hung on to since the 70's as the ugly orange bell and groovy box indicates. Who knew this gentle man has a ruthless side? Who knew that normally demure Aunt Nancy turns into a wild woman with a deck of cards? 

It wasn't until midnight that all our company left. We hugged each other and commended ourselves on such a fun evening! We were ready to all go to sleep. Was that the end of our evening? Not even close, stay tuned to Chapter Two aka The Lows of a Mountain Vacation...dum dum dum dah (cue omnimous music)...