October looked to be a great time for a Va. visit. As usual we pack a lot in our trips, so this one was no different. My 45th college reunion was on tap at H-SC, so that meant seeing lots of ole frens and a football game at Homecoming. Also scheduled was an ESPN game at VT. Another high point was the annual Bob Lipscomb fishery over to the Eastern Shore. Mixed in around those events were as many visits with frens and family as we could work in.

We landed in Richmond on Oct 18 and quickly got settled in at the Dawg's house [ Annee's middle son David]. Next day I was off early in the afternoon for the Hampden-Sydney reunion, while Annee sought out all her brood of sons & granchilren. I caught up with His Honor Judge T.T. Hyde at the airport in Farmville, and he and I toured the campus and visited the ole KA house, before heading to the President's house for cocktails. There we caught up with the likes of Steve & Jeanne Proctor and Tom & Archer Williams, among many others we hadn't seen in a while. After a good liquoring at the President's, we all headed over to dinner at the Commons, where we were treated to a great meal and entertainment by Dr. Brinkley.

Tommy, Tris, Steve, Dee, Sandy

Tris & I bunked over in Burkeville that nite, and headed back to homecoming next day. Lil Annee came up with son Dawg to join us, and we caught up with lots of ole frens while H-SC whipped W&L out on the field. During half we caught up with Steve Helvin & Sandy McLaughlin, who had worked the Montana ranches with us in the 60's. Great to see them again. And as usual, the whole Davidson clan showed up. After the game we hit the KA party, then headed back to RIC. Now if only we're lucky enough to still be around for our 50th event!

Annee & Davidsons

While Annee was granchiling it, I was trying to see as much of Dee 3 & Robert as I could. Checked out Rd out to James River Nursery, where he keeps all the trucks in order and we had dinner out as m much as we could. Catching up to Dee 3 is a horse of a different color, since he still dances to the Navy hymn. Actually did get to see him a couple times when he had a couple days off. Looks like he's getting out in 2008 for good. No more
Iraq jaunts for him.

Part of Rd's Fleet

With Dee 3 & Rd

Whilst I was out and running, Annee spent time with her sons & grankids trying to maximize her time there. She would babysit, run carpools, & do whatever to spend time with them all. As an update, here are some pics of Annee's brood:

David, Hollis, Winston

Annee, Del, & Drew

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Annee & Drewsters

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Annee & Bailey

Back around 1947 or so, Dad hired a young feller right out of the airforce, who had flown more than his share of missions in a Liberator bomber over Romania, Tunisia, and Germany. I'm sure he shot down over 50 German fighters before his plane was shot down over Romania, where he bailed out and was saved from the SS by partisans. His name was Bill Frank, and he was a charter member of the "Greatest Generation".

Dee, Bill, & Butch

Bill went on to a career with us in the nursery business, becoming our GM of nursery operations. When I retired he went to work for Colesville Nurseries in Ashland. Now, after over 50 years in the nursery business, Butch Gaddy of Colesville planned a retirement party for him, and arranged it for a time I would be in town.

Dee & Bill

The party was a complete surprise for him and was attended by a large crowd of friends, coworkers, and old co[workers. Butch had arranged a catered meal, then everyone joined in telling tale tales, but mostly true about Frank's exploits. After all my years in the nursery business, I couldn't think of anyone who deserved recognition more. Thanks Bill, for all you gave to the nursery industry!

Bill & Vernon

Next up was the Bob Lipscomb annual fishery over to the beautiful Eastern Shore between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic. We drove over on Saturday morning to the Yeaman's, where we were bunking in on the shores of Nandua Creek. Looked like Gary Lee and his son from Culpepper would be joining us as Yeaman guests.

With Ann & Bob

Time for the party, we all loaded up on Bob's party barge and motored over to the Lipscomb's, where we were sure to catch up with all our ole frens. By the time we got there the bar was open and all kinds of seafood delicacies were being served as starters.

The Party Barge

You haven't lived til you had an Eastern Shore feast, that offers oysters in several forms, clams, crabs, varieties of fish, and any kind of vegetable you can think of! Here are some Bodacious fishery pics:

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The Hydes

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With Mudtoad & Et

Linda, Sue, & Hannah

Midnite Cruise

Next Am, we had a delicious Yeaman breakfast and packed our gear for the trip home. As with last year, we had enjoyed the fishery, but more importantly the opportunity to see lots of ole frens! On the way out, we stopped by the Dawghouse to see the Hyde's and the Bryant's, who willingly posed for pics for this site.

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Breakfast

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The Dawghouse

Then, on up to Parksley we went to visit up with ole time buddy Billy Graham [ certainly not in the same league as the preacher of the same name] and his lucious wife Mary. Billy and I graduated from high school together and attended H-SC until he was asked to leave for many reasons I can't put in print. He finally got his act together when he married Mary and she straightened him out. Now they live on the seaside of The Shore with beautiful views of of the salt marshes. Our short visit was barely long enough to catch up, but it was great seeing them again. Hopefully they will treat us to a visit up here in the high lonesome.

With Mary & Billy

Back to Richmond, we had a night out to the Montagues-John & Jean- who had gotten engaged out our way a year ago on a Harley ride, then married on the 50 yardline at a VT football game. They were happy as two bugs in a rug, and it was great to have an evening out with them.

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Annee, John, & Jean

Our next outing was to be a trip up to Blacksburg to see the Hokies play then unbeaten Boston College. Unfortunately, after several months drought, it looked like the monsoons were about to set in right on top of Virginia, and the forecast was for a wet game. The plan was to catch up with the Lees and Lipscombs up near Drapers Meadows, where we had a house rented for two nites. On the way up we met up with a pregnant Sara Plumhoff [ Jim's beloved], then had a nice visit and lunch at Sandy McLaughlin's farm in the Shennandoah. Joining us was Dave Fuller, who, along with Sandy, were at H-SC with me. Great to see those ole boys again! Annee was quite impressed with Sandy as a luncheon host!

Pregnant Plum

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Annee, Sandy, Dave

On to Drapers in a driving rain, we met up with the Lees & Lipscombs at out rental house, then out for a great dinner over to Wythville. Next AM it was still raining, but we tooken off for B-Burgh and a VT tour. We paid our respects at the VT Memorial for the 32 slain on campus April 16, then hit the bookstore for some VT shopping.

Bob, Sue, Gary

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The VT Memorial

By 5 PM we were tailgating in the wet under a tent, but the rain was coming sideways. Prior to kickoff, we were in the stands trying to stay dry, but to no avail. Vt came out strong against undefeated BC, and held them down until the last 4 minutes. Out of nowhere, BC stormed back to win the game. Damn! But for those 4 minutes, VT could have played in the BCS Championship game! Oh well, next year!

Bob, Annee, Sue

Nite before our return to CO, we attended Drew & Sharon's Halloween party. Annee & i went as the Austin Powers duo. I was Austin of course, and Annee was a blond Beyonce, I guess. Drew & Sharon, as host & hostess, were Dracula & Elvira. The whole Mugford family was costumed up, and it was a fun event. A great way to wind up a long 3 week trip!

Austin, Beyonce

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Dracula & Elvira

Wendy & Del