Georgia –
Allen Family Vacation
This had been in the works for a while: for the Allen clan to get together like the old days. It used to be that my father, his two brothers, and his parents would all go to the lake every summer vacation with their children camping. Honestly, this was very formative for me and really bonded me and my cousins. We’re close like siblings rather than cousins like many families. We’ve chatted with each other over the past few family get-togethers and wanted to have that same experience; not just for us but also for my cousins children as well. It was scheduled for July 17th through the 21st. Thus I went Flying 3,000 miles to go camping in Georgia.
There was maybe a small amount of annoyance on my part though… While I very much wanted to recapture the magic of my youth with my cousins and give that same magic to their kids, it was a bit wild that I had a lovely camper I’ve setup perfectly to live in. Not only that, but I have in fact been living and camping in it for the past two years but it would be 3,000 miles away from where we were having vacation. All told though, as I write this on the plane flying back to Fairbanks, it was definitely worth it.
Old times for a New Generation
The first time we took out the next generation out onto the lake on a tube behind Lee’s boat I knew camping at the lake was the right place to have the family vacation. Their smiles as they got slung around in the wake. Our smiles increasing directly with the volume of their screams after pushing that throttle and pointing straight towards the biggest waves. The rave the kids had in Kevin’s (borrowed!) camper. Trying to catch the biggest frog, but getting scared because of the “bears”. Telling tales of the old cemetery at the campground that folks could find on moonless nights. Even little things like Kori going shopping with me for breakfast taco ingredients, bonding over introversion and wanting to get away from the group. It also turns out wakeboarding and barefooting is just like riding a bike. Once you learn it never really goes away, as proven by Cameron getting up first time barefooting. Carley and I also ended up wakeboarding for a bit as well.
If there was only one thing to change, it would be a bit less rain so that we could have more time out on the water. Otherwise the weather was perfect and the water warm.
Catching up with friends
After the family vacation I still had some time in Georgia before my flight back to Fairbanks. While this ended up being great for catching up with friends, it was quite draining having every meal be with a different person for my remaining days in Georgia. Bryce and Kellie hanging out like old time watching car shows, races, and getting pizza. Orange Juice, I missed you my little grumpy old man. Jess, how serendipitous that you’d be in the Atlanta area the same time as me! Lisa, it’s been too long and it was too short. Allen, not to be confused the Allens, it was great catching up and I hope our travels coincide in the future at some point. Mike, Phyllis, and Nanny of course it’s always great seeing y’all and it was so easy spending multiple hours over dinner sharing updates. Mom, Bob, Jenna, Adam, and Emmalyn it was great spending some quality time with the close family and I’m glad I could share some of my love of authentic Thai food with y’all.
It’s July 27th and there’s about an hour left in my flight back to Fairbanks. I can see the wide expanse of the Yukon Territory out the window. I’m excited to continue my adventures.