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20210723

Here we are in Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. It's sort of in the center of things taking place during our Owen family gathering.

Also staying here will be Fran & Duane from Seattle, and Amy & Peter from California. Brady & Tammy ++ will be at Timber Ridge. Cynthia & Fred, plus Stacy & Bob, will be at the French Country Inn. Nate & Emmaline, plus Noel & Corey will be here somewhere.

Events, if I have it right, are the Fish Fry Friday with boat ride 1800-1900, then dining. Saturday dinner will be at Lynn's Stratford Residences dining room.Sunday brunch will be at Lake Lawn resort. Times to be forthcoming, and there will be little gatherings here and there.
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We took it easy in the morning. Finally went downtown for breakfast-for-lunch at the Olympic restaurant, much like the Windmill in Holland. Good food, good price.

Off to a kid's store on Main Street where D picked up some books for the grandsons. We looked at real estate values posted in a window - best for us was a tiny cottage for $169k.

Then over to Delavan, first stop at Aunt Louise's tree - a crabapple where her ashes were placed in 1999. Looks like it might fall into the water due to shoreline erosion. Then we picked up some wine & Leinenkugel's, and took it to Lynn's condo. Her place is a very nice 2B/2b on the third floor of the building (has elevator). Unique financial structure - buy in, get 90% back at end, pay large condo fee to cover expenses.


Today's Photos

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Lynn & Fran were preparing a beef loin for baking for tomorrow's gathering. In getting ready for that, we went back to the hotel then F&D joined us (car-pooling) to go to Mars Resort for a boat ride & dinner.

Mars was super-crowded with locals and tourists. We all wandered around and somehow a glass was put in my hand. With everyone there, we came to 21 persons with whom to renew aquaintances or meet for the first time.

Fran & Duane
D&O
Cynthia & Fred
..Stacy & Bob
..Brady & Tammy
….Kayla
….Brandon
Lynn
..Amy & Peter
..Nate
….Emmalilne
..Noel & Cori
….Mason
….Siena
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Getting the group together and getting the Mars staff all headed in the correct direction took a little time and effort due to the crowd. For a while we were put together in a covered courtyard. We met people we hadn't met previously (Brady, Tammy, Brandon, Kayla, Cori & kids, etc.). I enjoyed a good chat with Kayla, a sophomore at UW-Madison. Keeping straight who is who in the twins (Nate & Noel) families is hard for me.

The boat ride was outstanding. Warm, slight breeze, very comfortable, glass of wine, lots of conversation, many remembrances exchanged, etc.

After an hour we returned to Mars and prepped for dinner. Very confused place due to crowd. We consumed little things outside on a verandah. Finally we were seated at a long table inside. Things moved slowly but we didn't care since we were enjoying the group. Our dinner orders were taken.

D & I wound up at one end of the table with Mason, Siena & Emmaline to our left. Emmaline played under the table for much of the wait. Mason was very mature for his 11 years in ordering and in conversation - very interesting kid. Siena enjoyed herself running around and, at the end, doing a wild dance routine (or non-routine).
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At last the food came & we ate. Mason had ordered chicken tenders and a Ceasar salad; he ate one tender, asked for another salad and ate both salads. He knew what he wanted, I guess. Our fish dinners were very good.

The entertainer located behind us (singer/piano/guitar) was good but he made the whole room loud. He played many 60's hits, with some 70's & 80's. We sang along enthusiastically to some of them. But it was hard conversing because we were spread out up and down the long table.

At the end of the meal, we went out into the parking lot to say good-nights, then dug the car out of its place and returned to the hotel, thoroughly fed and exhausted.