40 years? Seriously?

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2012

Senior Class Photo

This isn't one of my typical RV travels blogs but it's part of last years RV experiences.  Plus, I just has to sneak this one in because the memories are heavy on my mind.  McTraveler is currently (August 1, 2013) parked in my hometown of Louisville, KY.  Today we're camped at the same RV park, Louisville South KOA, as last year when we attended my 40th high school reunion.

Note to new readers: McTraveler is the name of our class A 40' diesel pusher motor home ... we're full-time RVers who travel coast to coast ... we've been struck with wanderlust.

While following my high school alumni FB page, which is all abuzz with this years upcoming reunion which is less than a month away; I start getting sentimental.

The Class of '72 is the proud recipient of a special designation ... we were the first graduating class in the brand the new high school. Construction didn't finish to open in time to start the new school year; so our high school borrowed another schools facilities and went to night school after they finished the day shift.  That was a strange semester; getting home late in the dark and so wound up that I'd watch Johnny Carson, Star Trek, and The Twilight Zone with Dad while doing homework. Then more homework while eating breakfast.  Sure didn't leave much time just to have fun ... girls just wanna have fun. I also remember dodging bats as I walked from portable to portable in the dark ... still creeps me out thinking about it.  Finally OUR new school was finished; we claimed it and put OUR stamp on it.

Last night, Steve H. ('72) came to visit us at our campsite; and boy did we take a walk down memory lane.  What a fun, funny, wonderful evening of reliving stories.  Steve was like a brother I never had.

I'm sorry to say that due to other commitments, I won't be able to attend the 2013 Reunion, and that has me pretty bummed.  So feeling nostalgic, I take a look at my videos of last year's Class of 1972's 40th High School Reunion.  They were "glorious good old days" and watching them put a smile on my heart from seeing each of my classmates again.  But even as good as our school days were; retirement is even better ... everyday is Saturday.  We have the freedom to explore, discover, stand in awe in the middle of wild, raw nature, plus I'm still learning something new everyday.

I digress, so back to the reunion. Our class hosted the weekend long event and included all our friends from classes '73-'75.  I was sorry I didn't get to attend all the planned activities; but I'm sharing videos of the School Tour, the evening cruise on the Belle of Louisville, and the main event Dinner/Dance Reunion.

40 Years Later

What fun we had at the reunion events.  I found it so fantastic to reconnect with classmates who were (and still are) important to me; especially during the critical growing teenage years.  

Now that we're all approaching 60 ... I don't want to be grown-up anymore and having a blast by living a life on the road 

with child-like abandonment. 

Over our weekend together, we shared so many laughs reminiscing; and some tears too as we remembered those who are no longer with us.  I included those precious souls names as a tribute on the closing credits of the Dinner/Dance Reunion video. Take a moment and pause to reflect on each of their bright and promising lives; and I hope it brings a smile as you remember the best about them.

I must confess, I couldn't remember all of my classmates ... a bad case of CRS as I age.  The name tags helped, but with baby boomer eyes it was still difficult.  Just didn't seem appropriate to get a foot away and at chest level to try to read the small print on the name tags. So this year, I hope 

they hang a billboard around the attendees necks so the names can be read 

without getting so close they can smell the garlic you had for lunch.

I will miss not being in Louisville for this year's reunion hosted by the Class of '73; but I'll be thinking of you. Warning, the videos are long because I didn't want to leave any of you out.  So grab a glass of wine, get comfy, and sit back, watch at full screen with the volume up and enjoy our 40th reunion all over again.  Cheers! I'll have a glass with you.

Sorry, technical difficulties ... I couldn't upload the videos directly to 

McTraveler's RV Adventures blog. So here's the YouTube links:

The School Tour

The Belle of Louisville Cruise

The Main Event - Dinner / Dance

So, I thank you for driving down memory lane with us, and hope you'll be back soon for the next post of McTraveler's RV Adventures.

Until then, wishing you safe travels and GO MUSTANGS!!!
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

P.S.
Doug B.('72) and I who have a 50 year friendship will be holding our own mini reunion when McTraveler heads to Dallas, Texas in early September.  Jim and I look forward to spending time with Doug and Cindy.  McTraveler will be camped at The Vineyards RV Resort located between Dallas and Fort Worth.  We will also be visiting with Jim's junior high buddies Ken W. and Jenna K. in Fort Worth. Jim, Kenny and Jenna's friendship goes back 55 years!  Aren't enduring high school friendships the best?