Underway Again

The guys at Helen’s Hide Inn.

Since reuniting several years ago Don & his Navy buddies get together every 2 years. The first year we gathered at Rancho Russo & had a simply smashing July 4th at Great Meadows. The second reunion was a trip to Philadelphia to actually go on board their retired ship, the USS John F. Kennedy CVA-67. The third was a lakeside camping trip in Pennsylvania held over the hottest weekend in the past millennium. The fourth was headquartered at Admiral Duffey’s lakeside retreat and included a day in Boston touring the naval yard, ships and historic district. Attendance levels peak and trough but there have always been at least 5 of them.

This being the 5th get together we got a little bolder and decided to rent a house together. A core group member, Steve Duffey, would be unable to attend due to a prior commitment so it came down to 5 families. John Kress decided to get a map and draw lines between everyone’s houses and that gave them a geographic area that was somewhat central to all involved. That area turned out to be the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.

The big old comfy house we rented.

As close to normal as we can get.

Cindy Baker essentially played hostess this year as she found and arranged for the rental, coordinated meals and kept the boys in line.

Event coordinator Cindy Baker on our hike.

The house was an old charmer that retained much of it’s original woodwork, pocket doors, built in pantry & floors. Don, Damian & I had the “penthouse suite” which was essentially an apartment that was carved out of the attic space.

The front of the house including porch.

Original kitchen pantry with chimney .

Kitchenette area of our suite.

Being a sucker for old houses, I appreciated the owner’s keeping many of the original touches including claw foot cast iron tubs in some bathrooms. There was even an old factory or railroad steam whistle tucked over the garage – too cute!

Love the steam whistle!

Of course there was also a back porch complete with swing. The boys would rotate from the front porch to the back porch.

Amy Kress kicking back on the porch swing.

Since there was only so much sitting and drinking the girls could tolerate, we amused ourselves by playing games and we found a lovely hiking trail very close by.

Damian & I kicking Cindy & Ruth’s you know what in Strategies.

Wild rhododendron creekside on the hiking trail we found.

The lovely Ruth & I along the trail

The boys were missing Steve Duffey and insisted we capture their feelings for him not being there.

The boys sending love to Steve Duffey.

A tradition is to honor any departed members of the USS John F. Kennedy family with a flag folding and burning ceremony which we held at the fire pit to honor Bruce Milburn this year.

Preparing to honor Bruce Milburn.

Despite the soggy weather it appeared that the boys thoroughly enjoyed their time together and they were already planning for the next reunion 2 years from now.

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