August 2021: The Family Reunion

Well, eventually I’ll post a July overview, but for now: Let me show you the Barnes (nuclear) family reunion from the second week of August. Having mostly been separated for most of the pandemic, and most of us having not seen any of young Hayden since February 2020, it was good to all gather in Deer Valley for a look at each other, meals, walks, nature, etc.

AUGUST 6: And this is the day we arrive at the cabin. Or house? Some family’s ski retreat rented out in the summer, that’s what it was. We settled in, unpacked, oriented ourselves, and ate dinner #1, and then headed over to the Deer Valley Amphitheater to see the Mike Love Beach Boys. It was a great show, even greater when they played the hits.

AUGUST 7: Today we headed off into the Uintahs. We stopped at a waterfall, which we looked at, and then we stopped at a lake, which we walked around. All this while smoke from California kept rolling in.

Then, back at the house, we held Family Book Club 2021 with Grandma Zooming in from San Marino. After that I took a bit of a walk with Mom.

AUGUST 8: Sunday morning, off to an easy start, when suddenly I see a giant moose out my bedroom window and begin to shout “Giant Moose! Giant Moose!” until the family all sees that there is a GIANT moose outside!

After family mountain church it’s time for: Family Pictures! So many more than these were taken of course. And after Family Pictures? Arts and Crafts!

And then, after lunch, a Birthday Party for Dad, including readings of his poems by all the members of the family and a pinata wacking

And a little bit after that: family walk around the neighborhood followed by birthday cake!

AUGUST 9: A big day for adventure! We take a couple ski lifts over to a mighty hike through all types of terrain.

And, after lunch, we return to the mountains for a ride on the Alpine Coaster, which was awesome! And then the Brother Team was in charge of dinner and we cooked up a chicken adobo feast that was also awesome.

AUGUST 10: And with seconds left on the clock before we’ve got to head out, I get in some vital bonding with nephew Hayden!

What a great reunion! A big thank you to all the parties involved in its planning, organizing and execution!