Tendoy Reunion 2012

 

Each summer we eagerly anticipate the end of July and our annual Hayes' reunion in Tendoy.  This year was the first year Eva attended as well as the first year that the whole Meek clan spent in a tent.  Too bad I missed a picture of our tent.  Remarkably after the first night of adjustment we all slept really well.   The Tendoy cabin is a little hunting cabin on a 2-3 acre wooded lot nestled against the Lemhi river.  We have some luxuries like a fridge, flushing toilet in the outhouse, shower in the bully barn ( where the lawnmower is stored) but still enjoy the camping experience of sleeping in a tent, cooking over a fire, playing hard and getting dirty.

 

Our favorite activity up at Tendoy is riding the trails and roads that abound in the area.  The kids all clamor for four wheeler rides.  This year Kris bought a dirt bike from his cousin Sam so that he can now ride with the Big Boys on the single track trails.  After a Superman style dismount from his bike he was a little bruised and beat up, but jumped back on the bike the next day for another ride.  Even little Eva would squeal with delight to ride, very slowly, around camp and down the road.  Some of our favorite trails are up to Chief Tendoy's gravesite, Copper Queen, and the Lewis and Clark Adventure Byway.  

  

After a day of riding the kids and adults loved to soak in Sharkey Hot Springs.  Abi, Talmage and cousin Walker would splash, dive around in the water and play like crazy.    

 

 Over in the other pool, the adults could soak and relax.  Eva enjoyed floating back and forth from mom to dad in her little baby boat.  Wearing her life jacket, Leah also was a little fish.

 

While the Big Boys did their trail ride on Saturday the rest of us took a jaunt up to Copper Queen.  The kids all love collecting the green tinged rocks and bits of quartz.  We also discovered wild raspberries to pick, eat and enjoy.

We repeated the Sailboat Regatta this year.  Our creations this year were made from Styrofoam bowls, sticks and paper sails.  They floated really well, as did one of Abi's flip-flops which escaped down the ditch.  We were so excited to be joined by a larger group of our family this year.  Our kids especially loved playing with their Monk, Funk, Meek and Hayes cousins.  And then every evening we would pull our chairs together around the campfire to share dessert and conversation.  Campfire Eclairs were a big hit this year.  Thanks to all of our family who shared this fun time with us and we look forward to seeing you up in Tendoy again next year.