Road Trip Reunion

July is in all its myriad elements here at Mosquito Gardens.  The crepe myrtles are heavy with watermelon plumes, the tomato bushes have outdone themselves and are slowing down, the sandspurs in the garden are launching their annual attack, and the red birds are feasting on the figs making it difficult for us to harvest any.

Our annual road trip is yet to happen, but it is in the full planning stage at the moment.  I use the term planning rather loosely because one of the joys of our road trips is that it really cannot be totally planned.  Half the fun is the spontaneity of flowing from one place to the next.  Be that as it may, however, a certain element of planning has to be done.

This year will be a little more unorthodox than most since we have three major destinations which we will weave into the plan.  After loading the car on the first of August, we will first head slightly north and east to St. Simon's Island for the annual Scrambling For The Cause golf tournament that is put on each year in honor our son Kevin by a group of his college friends, mostly KA's.  The tournament is to raise funds for MS.  Rob, Traci, Klep, and I will be manning a hospitality tent on one of the holes during the tournament.  I pray that a cure for MS will be found and that the funds raised each year by this tournament will help bring this about.

After St. Simon, our next major stop will be Branson.  We have been told for years that we should "do" Branson.  This will be the year.  We plan to immerse ourselves in show for a few days before heading toward other points in the state as we meander up to Long Lake, Wisconsin for what is bound to be another highpoint as we rendezvous with two other couples for a reunion of wives.  Shirley, Bonnie, and I were very good friends during the years I taught in Orlando and lived in Winter Park.  I was in both of their weddings and have not seen Bonnie since I was in her wedding in 1967.  I think there will be lots of talk, lots of laughter and a genuinely good time as we enjoy the hospitality at Jim and Shirley's cabin on the lake.

The suitcases and carry bags will soon take center stage as we get closer to departure time.  Maps, tour books, books on CD, bottles of water, snacks, and all the necessary paraphernalia will be assembled.  Soon enough, we'll set the GPS and head out.