August 7 - 14 family reunion

The East Coast contingent of the "Bliese" family tries to get together at a middle-ground place from time to time.  This year, the Pittsburgh, DC, and Tennessee part of the family went to a resort, near New Market, Virginia.  The resort is west of Interstate  81, almost to the West Virginia border.  We had one big house with two great porches overlooking the mountains.  The house fairly easily accommodated the 12 people there + one hedgehog pet.  The resort had lots of stuff for the kids to do:  lake, pool, canoes, zip line, tennis courts, climbing wall, etc. There were also many things to do in the area:  caverns, wineries, battlefields, so the adults who didn't want to porch sit could do stuff too.  We had a wonderful time.  It was so great to see everyone.  It would have been even better if other, more far-flung folks could have been there, too.

Part of the group that went to Shenandoah Caverns

Cave Bacon, a really interesting formation in the caverns

My sister Rosemary Meyer

Grand nieces Katelyn and Lea Hendricks

Ellie Bliese, holding hedgehog, Lea Hendricks, Marta Bliese

View of Massanutten Mountain from our porch

Porch sitting, talking, drinking, eating great food, game-playing,
 and watching the Olympics  were cabin pursuits

View of Shenandoah Mountains at Cave Ridge Winery
On the last day, sister Rosie and husband Ralph, Alan and I  enjoyed
doing a wine tasting and  spending time in a beautiful place together.

Rhoda with grapes at the vineyard