The Wilson Clan Gathering, organized and hosted by Jeffery and Dorothy Wilson, came to pass this year in Plumas County, up at Bucks Lake. The lot of us managed to rent 7 generous spaces in a grouping so that we extended over an acre of land, by Kevin Daniels estimate.
Grant & I stayed in the first space with Dorothy and Jeffery, Matthew, and Kyria. Cindy and her beau, Trenton were in the next, with the Group Site taking up a sizeable area on the lake side. Levi, Margot & the kids were on the uphill side, neighboring with Auntie Diana, Jessica, and her kids. The Dan Wilsons were next with their daughters and their beaus. Craig, Darlene, and Ian share with Kevin and his lady, Sam. Andrea and Matt were together, and Barbara & Kathleen stayed at the Lodge.
Wednesday
the 18th, it was just Dorothy, Jeffery, Grant, and I.
(These are my photos)
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| Our tipi that Grant sets up in under 10 minutes. |
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| Our tipi and the Wilson's tent |
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| The seating around the campfire |
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| Fair Pigs camping |
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| Our first kayak outing of the weekend |
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| Jeffery, Dorothy, and Grant in the evening light |
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Lowering light
Thursday, 7/19
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Later in the day, Cousin Cindy arrived with her beau, Trenton. A little while later, the Ruiz family, Auntie Diana, and Jessica & her boys showed up. We didn't really see much of them because they had to set up and then get something to eat and relax. The earlier part of the day was spent setting up the Group Area marquee and lights, games, generator, and light show. Dorothy hung banners. We kayaked, played games, talked, napped, and just enjoyed being out in nature.
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| Canadian Geese greeting the morning |
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| More kayaking to start the day |
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| Duck |
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| Dwindling Snow Flower |
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| Fair Pigs on Parade |
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| The Haggis, made out of a family item and duct tape, painted gold. |
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| Dorothy bought this Ryan Kerrigan hanging at Festival and hung it near her tent |
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| We named this guy "Wee Geordie" after Jeffery discovered him hanging out. |
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| Dorothy getting ready to add more art to her 2nd Fair Pig |
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| Wee Geordie hopped onto Jeffery's chair |
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| Dorothy painting |
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| Grant pondering deep thoughts |
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| Goose butts (or is that geese butts?) |
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| The ubiquitous coffee pot |
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| Later in the day |
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| Cooking supper |
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| After supper fire |
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| Wilson family confab near the Group Area |
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| Evening sky with moon |
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| Sunset paddle |
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| View of the Group Clan Gathering Area lights from the lake |
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Fire before bed
Friday
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Barbara (Gramma), Kathleen, and Andrea with her dog Feather arrived at midnight last night due to a detour near Mountain House on the Bucks-Oroville Highway and their late start. Jeffery helped them, but they still didn't get to bed til 3am. The day was spent at the beach mostly, where Jeffery had set up a shade tent near a tree that cast more shade. Kyria & Matt arrived mid-afternoon. We all kind of brought our own food to the Group Area to eat together. The evening was spent around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, visiting, playing games, and whatever suited your fancy.
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| Two VERY valuable items: The Haggis and the Quirkle |
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| The view from our camp down the hill towards the lake |
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| Breakfast is almost ready! |
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| One of 3 games of Quirkle we played. |
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| Shoreline of Bucks Lake "lagoon" |
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| Approaching the family gathered at the screen tent |
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| Levi, Jessica and their families |
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| Chase & Jessica |
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| Matt setting up his tent |
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| Kyria checking out the kitchen area |
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| Kathleen brought this chicken for Jeffery |
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| Trenton & Cindy swapping tales with Dorothy |
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| Grant kayaking near the swimmers |
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| Brianna, Jessica, Margo, Levi, and Alex |
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| Kyria, Cindy, & Jeffery |
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| Dorothy, Barbara, and Chase |
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| Feather and Andrea |
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| Matthew mans the grill |
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| Jeffery being silly |
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Cousins galore!
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Saturday
Saturday was the Big Day of the Clan Gathering. Everyone would be there, family-wise, plus Nadine, Matt, and Chance came to see Kyria, and I had friends coming up to swim and be part of the fun --- Bob & his son Bobby, and Elizabeth with her dog Kaia. Travis & Kristine brought Kinley and Taylan up, too. After a day at the beach attended by (at last count) 32 people, our guests departed, and everyone had a bit of a rest and started cooking for the Feast.
Everyone came together at the Group Area. The Festivities began with the Procession of the Haggis (both homemade and "real" Scottish haggis in a can), then we Feasted! After the meal, we Gamed, starting with the Haggis Throw, which was very fun and won by Luke, with a toss of 111 ft! Mason won the Nail Hammering Game. The fire was built up, most games of chance were played, and some of us went to bed after a day of a little too much sun and fun!
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| Dorothy & Kevin |
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| Cousins Kevin and Matt |
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| Breakfast in the Group Area |
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| Jeffery and his progeny |
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| Special Chairs of Honor for Barbara and Diana, or the next Eldest available. |
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| Got my ducks, er, geese all in a row! |
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| Saw this dog chasing a duck. |
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| Bobby talking with Dorothy |
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| Elizabet and Bob |
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| Bobby is a pro at kayaking |
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| Kathleen, Dorothy, Jeffery, and Elizabeth |
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| Dorothy conquering her fear that a duck is staring at her. |
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| Grantpa and Taylan |
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| Taylan loved the paddle |
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| Aunt Dorothy visiting with Kristine and Kinley |
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| Daddy watching Grantpa and Taylan |
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| Elizabeth and Kaia take a swim |
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| Ian heads for the water |
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| Bobby swimming |
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| Bobby |
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| Travis, Kristine, Kinley, and Taylan |
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| Bellahs & Wilson Clan |
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| Jeffery, Grant, Cindy, Elizabeth, Barbara |
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| Barbara goes for a dip |
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| Dan helps his Mom get on a floaty. |
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| Cousins galore! |
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| Auntie Diana, G-Ma Barbara, & Dan |
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| I just know it's staring at me! |
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| Kinley in HER boat (she didn't trust the kayak) |
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| Ready to head home after a fun afternoon visit |
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| Real Scottish Haggis in a can |
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| Preparing for the Feast |
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| Joy and Luke show up to chat with Mattheew |
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| Pre-Feast gatherings |
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| The Kids Table (and Sam) |
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| The Hammer Game |
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| Kathleen and Margo crack me up! |
Sunday
We spent the morning taking camp apart and packing it up, having breakfast, saying goodbyes to the individual cars of people leaving throughout the morning, visiting with Barbara, and loading up trailers. Kyria and Matt hung out till D&J left, as did we. Grant and I took a last kayak ride before putting them onto the truck. Auntie Diana was weepy with emotions and exhaustion as she bid her adieux. We all felt totally replete with happiness, food, fun, FAMILY & Friends!
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| Waiting for breakfast |
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| Headed for food! |
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| Feeding the geese |
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