What a grand time this was, even if the weather didn’t fully cooperate. The point was to gather in friendship…to share, discuss, laugh and, most of all, enjoy and celebrate each other’s company. This rare and treasured friendship has lasted more than 60 years for some of us and at least 57 for the entire group. (How did that happen? Wasn’t high school just a few years ago?) It is difficult for me to express in eloquent words what this friendship means to me, but I know that if I needed help in some sort of way, I could call upon each and every one of these folks and they would come to my aid. How could anyone ask for more?
Susan arriving (Don’t forget to click on the image to enlarge it)
Mike, Dot, Bill
Most of us arrived on Tuesday. We began to set up shop with wine and treats. Lynda made her world famous pizza for our first dinner.
Even though there was a breeze, it was warm enough to eat outside on the deck.
I forgot to mention that this gathering included the spouses. It’s so cool that they also enjoy each other’s company. We were missing a few of our group and we hope they will all be able to attend the next time we gather.
The house with the mother lilacs that have helped create other lilacs around the farm.
The barn with the swing in front.
Diana explains house the barn was built and what it’s used for today.
Checking out the bunkhouse
The Eleanor – a nice privy for field workers across the US.*
Susan loved the berries and the views of the mountains in the background
Iris abound at the Farm. They are incredible and so beautiful!
I gave a tour of the Nevada State Capitol. Here we are in the old Assembly Room. We even got a glimpse of Governor Sisolak announcing he’d signed a bill to NOT exclude pre-existing conditions for health insurance.
Susan volunteered to make gorditas for brunch the next morning. This is the assembly line to begin the prep work.
La Patrona with the gordita prep.
Dinner for the second night
Second night overflow
Sadly, Elizabeth had to leave the next morning. She had to miss eating those delicious gorditas with fun condiments like salsa, bacon, beans, chorizo, eggs and other things with which we stuffed ourselves. Lynda had to go home later that day due to obligations at home.
Later, we zoomed up to Markleeville and a ways past to Grover Hot Springs California State Park to take a hike to some waterfalls.
The mountains just above us.
The calm creek flowing perhaps to a meadow in the park or to the raging creek that you’ll see later.
We saw 7 snow plants. It has no chlorophyll; it derives nutrition from fungi underneath the soil, and for this reason, the plant is called “mycotrophic”. These fungi are the mycorrhizae (“fungus-roots”) of conifers. They are edible but are protected.
Bill and Jack improved several of our fording places to stabilize them.
The calm creek became deeper and we had to ford it with the help of many people. It was too cold to run around with wet feet. That is, except Mike, who rolled up her pants and waded across one time. The rest of us were chicken.
Mike and Jack at a rest stop.
Getting ready for the shot
You can tell it was cold. We’d been walking through some light snow and a cold wind for some time.
Alan. You might be able to see some snow on his jacket.
Bill. He slipped on the way down the rocks and tore a tendon in his shoulder. OWWWW!
Jack, the third of our intrepid warriors. He also slipped on the way down and bonked his head. But he seemed to be ok.
Bolander’s Monkey Flowers? I’m not sure but I thought they were pretty growing out of the cracks in the granite.
It was snowing to beat the band up there…the last barrier to get to the big waterfall. It was quite a rocky path to get there and I opted out quickly. So did the guys. This raging creek is a tributary to the Carson River
The waterfall we did see.
Susan seems to be saying, “What the heck is that?” We stopped in Markleeville at a deli to have some ice cream and/or hot chocolate/coffee.
Saying adieu
Lucy will miss some of the pets and love she got while we were there.
It seems as though these gatherings end too soon and we never get to talk about as many things as we wish. Part of the issue is that many of us need to go to bed early and don’t stay up all night like we used to. But it was still a lot of fun. I’m so glad that we’re still able to do this and enjoy every minute.
For more information about the Farm: https://www.jacobsberries.com/
Outdoor Nevada (PBS) also has a video you can see about the Farm: https://www.pbs.org/video/outdoor-nevada-jacobs-family-berry-farm/
For information about The Eleanor: https://www.cappersfarmer.com/do-it-yourself-projects/couple-enjoy-owning-antique-eleanor-outhouse
buzzardnotes 
What fun!!!!! You all look like you are having a ball! And eating quite well, I may add!! And…the snow flower…how cool!!!!
Thanks, Barb. They are great folks. Hope things are going well in VA❤Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Great pictures as usual and a good blog read! Thanks for sharing. What fun to see you all interacting and COOKING! I hope your friend Bill is recovering and that Jack is OK. What are you doing to those men?
You are all to be congratulated for staying in contact for 50 + years! Friendship is FOREVER! I’ll drink to that! Love, ~c
Hi Connie, I’ll drink to that too. Jack is ok and Bill will be seeing his doc this week. Hugs, C
Woo! Looks like a very happy and enjoyable visit. Peace.
It was a great time. Thanks for commenting Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device