Laughlin, Nevada
This is our third year staying at Don Laughlin's Riverside Casino RV Park to attend our annual high school reunion. Unlike most reunions, all our classes get together every year with the 40th and 50th years "hosting". Our little town is no longer there so we've been coming to Laughlin for over a decade. What's really special this year is our best buddies have finally retired and are bringing their RVs!
I made our reservations last year so we could all be together and we're the second ones to arrive on Wednesday afternoon. The other two arrive in time for chili dinner at our place. It's going to be hot while we're here so we have lots of time sitting outside trying to find shade.
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| From the door - Jimmy, Maggie, Donnie, Bridgette, Anna, Pam, Kenny, Bill and Kevin. |
Thursday we hang out with our neighbors all day and Bridgette makes a yummy dinner for all of us. We're already loving having the gang together :-))
The guys all leave for the golf tournament early Friday, and us gals get together for breakfast in Bullhead City. I promised to get pics of the five teams coming off the 18th hole so I head to the course.
Everyone clearly had a great time, and each of the teams stop for their photos. Bill officiated with a couple good friends and had just as much fun!
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| Our pals were the winning team - Harold, Kevin, Donnie and Jimmy |
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| Officials Tommy, Bill and Mike |
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| The all-women team came in last and had more fun than anyone! Tessa insisted on showing her support. |
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| It's a great turn-out! |
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| Sweet Patti - our intrepid photographer! |
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| Our youngest Eagle, and granddaughter of our good friends Anna and Donnie - Quinn. |
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| Always a treat to see our teachers - Coach Finton, Don Holder (US Government), Chet and Sharon Breneisse (choir and music), Mrs Sparkman (elementary school), and Mr Sparkman (math). |
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| Bill's class of '74. |
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| Jodee's class of '73 |
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| The proud winners of the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament - so much smack talking :-) |
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| Choir members, led by our music teacher Mr. 'B', singing the alma mater. Always makes me teary-eyed. |
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| Donnie and Anna's son Gary with his step-daughter Roz tearing up the dance floor. Definitely one of the highlights of the night! |
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| After dancing with her 'Tata", Donnie, Roz put this sticker on his back. |
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| He didn't know for hours, and everyone shared her delight of her successful prank. Too fun. |
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| Jodee and Bill, Senior Prom 1973. We think we still look the same :-)))) |
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| Enjoying good friends under the Eagle Mountain flag. |
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| Happy Quinny!! |
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| Pam/Kenny, Maggie/Lizzy/Jimmy, Jodee/Bill, Bridgette/Kevin, Anna/Donnie. Yes, Tessa took the photo. |
For a school that had about 350 students yearly in grades 7-12 over 19 years, we have all stayed connected more than anywhere else I know. In addition to the reunions, Bill and I have visited with 79 high school friends across the country in the last three years on the road. There was something magical about where we grew up that connected our hearts for a lifetime, and we all appreciate how special it is.
Life is good.
I've never seen classmates remain as close as the ones from your school! Welcome back to blogging land--we've missed you!
ReplyDeleteThanks - it was a nice break but I'm glad to be back too!
DeleteIt is so nice that you all stayed so close and so many (including teachers) come back for the reunion. Small schools sure so make a difference in how you feel about all your classmates. Certainly looks and sounds like another successful reunion:)
ReplyDeleteWhen we were there the small school was sometimes a "challenge" but in later years it's great fun all that we remember of each other's lives :)
DeleteAlthough Tessa may have been showing support to the lady golfers I think she was just looking for shade. I love that your reunions are so well attended. You get more folks than my 300+ class of '72.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right! There was zero shade and it was hot :-) Once someone attends a reunion they usually keep coming back so we're getting larger every year.
DeleteIt just amazes me that decades after your graduation, your high school still has an annual reunion and tons of people show up. What a fantastic party! Sure wish I’d gone to your high school. No way I even knew 79 people from my high school. That is an amazing turnout from 350 students yearly. Magical is right. Maybe your town has to disappear for everyone to come together. What a prom picture. Love those white shoes Bill and you absolutely have not changed a bit. Well except that Bill has a beard and his hair’s a little shorter and yours is a little longer. The current beard trim looks great Bill. Congrats to Tessa for a terrific picture. 102 – OMG!! Time to pick a new reunion spot.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of us have recommended cooler locations or earlier dates, but somehow the tradition has taken hold. I'm sure you can imagine the conversations (many repeated yearly) that get shared at these things :-))))
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