We Don't Need No Stinkin' Roads

One year, the family was on vacation (early 70s?) and somehow, we lost the road. I wish I could remember more details, but I will ask the rest of the family to chime in. I think it was in New Mexico. I am thinking it was not a year when we were pulling a camper. As we topped a hill, suddenly Dad started swerving to control the car because there was no road anymore. After we stopped, we found that we were between two large rocks, either of which might have disabled the car. OK, all, fill in the story.

Ghost of Christmases Long Past

Growing up, we traveled back to Cotton Valley about 3 times per year. It was just over a 4hr drive at that time. One of those (and perhaps the most anticipated) was for Christmas. We would all gather at GrandDad and Mamaw Walker's place on Christmas Eve. Well, the gathering took place after one of Mamaw's delicious meals with everyone gathered around either the Kid's Table or the Grownups Table (but that's another story).

 OK, by now, we have all eaten way too much, our parents have piled up gifts under or on the tree, and we all sit around the chairs for GrandDad and Mamaw. I think our parents mostly sat in the chairs and couches and we kids were all on the floor. For the moment, the tree and those enticing gifts are forgotten as we begin the Christmas ritual. As best I remember, we began with singing Christmas songs, both religious and secular. This was followed by GrandDad reading the Christmas story from Luke 2. He held a big, ceremonial type Bible that always seemed in my mind to fit him. And then, finally (at least, when I was younger), it came time for the passing out of gifts.

 I didn't mention it before, but we always sat by family, so I was with mine, and all my cousins sat with their parents. The youngest (once they were old enough to handle it) of each family then helped hand out the presents. I cannot remember if we waited and all opened them at the same time, or opened them as they were delivered. The living room, where we were gathered, seems to my memory to have had a tall ceiling. I am certain the Christmas tree was at least 10 ft tall. Maybe it wasn't and I am comparing what I remember to what such a tall room would mean to me now.

Family Reunion - Summer 2016

The week of July 9-16, 2016, 42 of Don Walker's family met up in Ouray, Colorado, for a great family reunion, missing only 1 person. We stayed in 4 cabins and 1 hotel room, with the Cutler Creek cabin being the common meeting place. We also rented the Hummingbird House, the Hill House, and Whitehouse Vista. Preacher Bro designed a logo that we could get embroidered onto t-shirts or polo shirts or jackets or maybe even a tattoo.

With 42 of us, we knew there were not many eating establishments that could seat us all, so Dad arranged for several catered meals. Sunday, we dined on Hog Rock BBQ at the Cutler Creek house. Tuesday, we feasted on Italian food at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway. Thursday found us eating Mexican food at Buen Tiempo in Ouray. On our last night (Friday)... Well, I'll just share what Dad's plans said, "no plans - we'll be sick of all of you by then."

While I am remembering Dad's original offer, I will give you one more quote from it. "You can call the help desk anytime from 9am to 9pm MST. Operators are standing by. There may be additional fees, especially for answering dumb questions."

I'll add more details soon... and some photos.

If you have stories of your own, please add a post. Let's share our memories.