2015 FLOAT (FLOOD) TRIP

It was the Year of the Flood.  The Niangua River had risen to the top step of the store and over the campground three days before our arrival, and then spread in and out of its banks during the 4 days we were there.  Twice our group found the barriers down and drove down to look at the river at the NRO landing.  The rest of the time the barriers were up; but fortunately, actually getting to float didn’t matter.  The 26th Mitchell Reunion found that all the fun, visiting, playing and pleasure in one another happened anyway along with the rain.  Bob and Barbara Burns welcomed us and positioned us at both upper level shelters.  Grandpa and Grandma Sweetie were just outside the shelter and most everyone was just a walk away.  The comfortable temperatures were a bit of a surprise (who brought long sleeves?) The Punch crew stayed at Sand Springs and watched the river come up over the campground there.  Entertainment began with tow-starting Grandpa’s truck and then diagnosing, buying parts and repairing Grandpa’s truck.   Grandpa is pleased with Matt’s repair.

Tuesday for supper Rick fried fish and potatoes and onions. After a biscuits and “fork breaking gravy” breakfast, we also celebrated Annie’s 3rd birthday with cupcakes.  Wednesday’s supper was the cream can even if we had to tent the open fire to protect it from the rain.   That day Becca took a car load to Osage Beach shopping and Linda took a car load to Lebanon.  Jessica shopped in Buffalo and the rest of us stayed at camp, visiting, napping and playing with the kids on the playground.  Thursday’s supper was potluck with Thompsons and Punch’s doing a hamburger squash dish, Grandma chicken and noodles, and Mo and Ruth had pork loin.  That day the Punch’s fished at Bennett Springs and another group went to Lebanon to the antique mall and then back to the Bennett landing to see the how high the Niangua was.  Another group took in an afternoon movie in Lebanon.  Big John brought out the music machine for the afternoon siesta and for additional entertainment the teenagers had a mud wrestling, the little kids had a mud splashing on the merry-go-round, and all the water toys were used by the little kids during the late afternoon rain.  A group set down to 10 point pitch in the afternoon and the games continued until 11 PM and might have gone longer, but the blowing rain made the cards stick together.  Terry and Jessica were the winners, at least nearly all the time.

We were blessed being together; by fully appreciating Mo’s good health (the tumors are smaller) and by the time we had to catch up and appreciate one another.  Those attending this year:

Grandpa and Grandma Sweetie

Jeanne, Rick, Cora, Becca, Anna, Matt, Jessica, Haden, Elle, Annie

Linda, David, Jon, Mary, Leah, Maggie

Kathy, Terry, Tess, Jesse, Jenni, Big John, Brandon, Sydney, Andrew, Jessica, and another two other teens.

Ruth, Mo