My dad graduated from high school in 1954 or 1955. I think he attended every class reunion there was until he got sick. I think my mom must have attended all of his high school reunions as well. She has never gone to her own. Nor have I. Mostly I didn't care. I didn't even like high school. Why would I want to go back?
I believe the first high school reunion offered a barbeque at a local park I believe on a Saturday afternoon - and may have attended that one had I been in town, but I was on my mission at the time. The second reunion announced was located at some prestige resort in Park City. I didn't have that much money to spend nor did I believe there would be many there that I would want to see for that much money anyway. I don't remember being invited to another reunion after that - not that it would have mattered. I hung around seniors all three years in high school - and more in the first year than the last two combined. My senior year was actually a lonely memory. Not a lot of good memories there.
Roland and I have a friend in McMinnville who was in Roland's graduating class. Enthusiastically she had contacted us both to say that there was a reunion in New Jersey on September 16, and perhaps the three classmates who ended up in Oregon could meet at Beth's house and talk to their former classmates through Skype.
Roland, Jenna and I left the house just before 8:00 a.m. and headed toward McMinnville. We stopped at the Costco in Salem. Every Costco I have ever been to doesn't open until 10:00. The Costco in Salem opens before 9:00 - that would explain the overly full parking lot at only 10:20. I felt like I was back in Salt Lake with the heavy amount of traffic and somehow felt like an even larger sea of people in the aisles. Did not care for that at all. Don't think I would like to live in Salem after all.
We arrived at Beth's before the other couple. Their former classmate has the same first name as I. Roland did not remember her. But they did remember all of the same people for the most part. They reminisced about those they knew from high school and what things are going on now. Beth could not get her server to work the entire time we were there. Just as well. The phone never rang and so they didn't get to talk with any of their other classmates. But I think they actually enjoyed it more than they would have with wall-to-wall faces and no breathing room.
Graham had prepared a really nice meal for us. There was London Broil, tuna steaks, potato salad, and assorted vegetables. I think the others brought the cheesy potatoes. Graham had also made the best avocado dip I have ever tasted. There was a trifle for dessert.
Beth had asked if we'd be staying overnight. We had packed a bag thinking we might stop in Salem on the way home, but for some reason the car ride home always seems a lot quicker than the destination from home. Roland drove straight to the house. We had only stopped one time to use the facilities.
Between Salem and Eugene Jenna and I watched the sunset for forty minutes. I wish I had pictures of what we saw - but at 65 mph and a point and shoot, I knew the pictures would not capture the true beauty that we had seen.
