After a snowy spring and still thinking about those warm Mexican beaches, Annee and I headed back to Virginia on May 28 for a multi purposeful trip of just over two weeks. Two main reasons for the trip were my 50th high school reunion at St. Christopher's, and planting Cuzin Billy Bob Richardson's ashes in Hollywood Cemetery along side his mom and dad.

We arrived in Richmond about midnite 30 , collected a vehicle Annee's boys had squirreled away for us in the parking lot, and headed out to Goochland to Camp David, where Annee's middle boy David lives. By the time we unloaded and unpacked, we were ready for a lay down. The first day in town we concentrated on seeing as many kids and grankids as possible, then it was on to business.

As noted in our last edition, Cuzin Billy Bob passed on back in February while we were in Mexico.Now it was time to settle him in with his parents. Billy Bob's lovely Eileen and his daughter Taylor flew in from Colorado Springs the day after us and the first function was a gathering of frens and family at Martha Faulkner's home up on old Church Hill. Next day was burial in the Richardson plot in Hollywood for family only. He'll sit forever under the shade of mighty oaks, among former Presidents, with a majestic view of the James River just downhill. Billy Bob, we're gonna sure miss you!

Billy Bob

Next on tap was for Annee to begin catchin' up with her kids and grankids, while I spent as much time as I could with young Dee and Robert. Got to spend time with both on Saturday, then Robert and I took in CountryFest out to the fairgrounds on Sunday. It was blazing hot with 20,000+ redneck country fans drunk and loving the sounds, of Dirks Bentley and Sugarland. Bout dusk a big thunder boomer moved in with lightning all around and the police called a halt to the concert to allow the storm to pass. Seeing it as a sign, we pulled out early and missed the traffic.

Annee & Her Boys

Whilst Lil Annee was doing grankid stuff, I took off for the Eastern Shore to meet up with some of the ole boys from the Doghouse for a camping trip out on the barrier islands. Met up with ET, Yeaman, Lipscomb et al down the shore for lunch , then over to the boat landing to drop our three boats overboard. Plans were to camp out in a house on stilts in the marsh owned by the Nature Conservancy, and it was a good 15 mile boat ride against the wind on an outgoing tide.

Arrival in Camp

On the way, we ran aground a few times, and took the opportunity to rake for dinner clams, filling up a bucket for Chef Webbie. Winding our way up a long tidal gut, we finally arrived and claimed a bunk. Webbie set up all the cooking gear and set to whipping up a great dinner. All the while, the tide had turned with a following wind, and the sea poured into the marsh. By dark the water was 3í high over the marsh with us high and dry a scant 6í above the flood tide. After lots to drink, and many stories tall in nature, one by one we all sacked in.

Bob & ET

Early AM came with the wind calmed and a normal tide. After a good breakfast, some of the group headed out to clam, while half of us stayed 'above' it all with dry feet. 'Bout noon we packed it all up and wound our way out of the marsh for the long ride back to the dock. With lots on my plate, I said adieux to all the ole boys and headed back to Richmond.

Going Clamming

Next up on the RIC agenda was a dinner party at the Davidson's, with all our ole frens. Usually when they have a party, it gets pretty loud and boisterous and this time was no exception. Short as the evening was, it was sure good to see everyone again!

With Ole Tom

Now the time for the main event was approaching--REUNION! Fifty years ago to the day, I graduated from St. Christopher's School and was looking forward to seeing boys not seen in all that time. First event was an all class party at the school under a sweltering tent under the pines, where early class arrivals got to see each other after way too many years. The next nite our í58 class gathered at the Norfleets for cocktails and scrumptious hors dourves. Some of the ole boys I hadn't seen for the full fifty years, and it was great to connect and catch up with them. Most still had a full head of hair, but quite a few were pretty skimpy on top like me. All of it ended way too quickly, but it sure put the cap on our trip east!

Ole Fren Billy Graham

Class of '58