Hey Cousins,

Very excited about getting down that road later on this week and pulling
into Jones Valley for our really special Reunion Celebration.  Your
Cousins are for sure very creative and have come up with some unique and
thoughtful ideas that are going to set this 2023 Reunion off, and we can
use them going forward.

Getting to the Reunion these days has all the challenges of coping with
our modern times:  Interstate tie-ups, crowded highways, scheduling,
this and that,………    However, I thought you might want to take a
moment and read an account of how it was in those early days, both on
the road, and when you arrived.

At the 2014 Reunion we had the pleasure of welcoming twins Poppy Ford
and Pansy Valk, and Pansy’s daughter Trudy McGavin of the Fannie Line
from Idaho.   As children Poppy and Pansy had attended several of the
early Reunions driving from New Mexico where they had grown-up
homesteading.   So, we’re talking pioneer stock here.  It was great to
hear their reminiscing over their past experiences, and Cousin Gil, even
setup a live iPad chat with Cousin Buddy Carnes in North Carolina so
they could electronically talk face-to-face on Cathy Kornegay’s porch.

These dear cousins are no longer physically with us, but after the
Reunion I stayed somewhat in touch with them and recorded Poppy’s
recollections of her Reunion trips and experiences. Attached are those
recollections that I thought you might find of interest in comparison to
then and now.

Looking forward to seeing everyone – safe travels – and be careful outthere,

Cousin Mike (among other things, corn hole player extraordinaire?)