2016: SECOND UNFLOAT

28^th Annual Mitchell Float  ALSO KNOWN AS 2ND ANNUAL FLOOD 

It is very good that floating isn’t necessary for a wonderful time together at NRO.  This year we were again flooded out.  Fortunately, we had all camped and stayed on top of the hill (Allen Tygart and crew did not, so they headed home early).  As I wrote this up this year I realized I had at 66 years old graduated to the “old folks,” as I didn’t know any of the good fun the young people had.

              Monday, July 10, 2016 families began arriving at NRO for our Annual Fun Times together.  Rick, Jeanne, Becca and Anna took in “My Fair Lady” at MSU Tent Theater before their arrival whereas Matt, Jessica and family set up a tent and went to bed under a couple of fans.  A blown trailer tire had slowed Rick and Jeanne but without trailer brakes and with 4 new tires they were set for the week.  On Tuesday Aunt Linda Thompson, Susan, Kyle and Clay arrived and set up their camper next door.  Grandma and Grandpa Sweetie brought Eliza; Joe and Marjorie brought a new camper; the Parkers arrived in their brand spanking new one; and John Altic brought Kathy & Terry in his camper.  Linda P drove over from Waynesville and spent the evening in Rick and Jeanne’s fifth wheel. 

              Tuesday morning the cabins were available and so folks set up food at the pavilion and their families in the cabins.  Cabin # 2 turned out to have not been cleaned so Nancy bunked in the camper with the folks and Cora bunked with Jenni.  Rick, Linda, Susan and the boys floated on Tuesday afternoon while everyone else helped set up camps and visited.  Tuesday evening everyone went down to the river for a long extended swim and splash.  The Punch family all arrived as well.   The Thompson kids/grandkids were in the cabins and the Punch family was at the hotel in Bennett Springs.  Everyone else was in campers on top at NRO.  All went down to the river to swim Tuesday after supper.  And Wednesday Bonny took river pictures for Jenni and Jesse’s senior portfolio.  And we celebrated Rick’s 67^th birthday with cake and ice cream Wednesday evening.  We also kept Bob Decker in prayer for his open heart surgery on July 12.   Jessica recorded a “squatter” in the form of a chipmunk living in their cabin.  She had requested a live trap as she knew there was one there; but NRO staff didn’t believe it until they saw the video.

              Then it came a big rain on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday.  The river was in flood stage on Wednesday morning so there wasn’t going to be a float for us Thursday.  With the rain most tent campers decided to visit rather than stay at camp.  Rick took several fishing at Bennett Wednesday.  Randy and Judy came by to visit.  It was also great to have Mo and Ruth join us for lunch Wednesday.   The golfers were Joe, Wayne, Adam, James Green, Bob Utter, and Terry.  Four car loads went to Lebanon to shop and Jessica came back with two little Khaki ducklings.   

              Visiting and card games went on in the evening among the younger folks and the old folks headed off to bed.  Donna brought the deer jerky; Jessica brought the homemade jelly.  Mae Dog got ushered to bed after she attempted to chase a skunk away.  Fortunately, she was caught in time.  Thursday tow straps were used to make a volley ball net and several competitive matches were played—making for sore legs throughout the camp the next morning.   

              NRO had a big outdoor tent to extend the space of the pavilions.  We used one for cooking, one for eating and the Shipley teens set their tents and hammocks up on the second pavilion.  Linda Thompson, Susan, Kyle and Clay tried out the zipline and were caught in a thunderstorm—it turned out a bit more exciting than they had planned!   Thursday afternoon those who didn’t take naps went to the movies to see “The Secret Life of Pets” in Lebanon.     

              2016 proved that floating down the river isn’t necessary for a great time together.  Those attending or visiting this year are listed. 

              Grandpa & Grandma Sweetie

              Rick & Jeanne

                              Deborha, Steve, Esther & Abi

                              Becca & Anna

                              Nancy & Cora, James Green & Christopher

                              Adam, Bonny, Lela & Kate, Tasha

                              Matt, Jessica, Haden, Elle & Annie

              Linda & David

                              Jon, Leah & Maggie

                              Kevin, Allison, Elliot & Levi

              Steve, Donna, & Eliza

              Kathy, Terry, Tess, Jenni, & Jesse, Brandon, Colton, Michalla, John Altic

              Joe & Marjorie

              Linda, Susan, Kyle & Clay

              Ken, Terah, Travis

              Ruth, Mo

              Randy, Judy