Musings on an Assortment of Subjects

Yesterday afternoon my parents and I returned from a weeklong trip out to Harrisonburg for a Glick reunion. It had been 8 years since the previous reunion with this group of people–which was crazy, because the second-cousins who were seven years old at the last one are now sophomores in high school — which is the age *I* was at the last reunion. But, it was really wonderful to reconnect with this quirky, accepting, word-playing, board-gaming group of people that feels so much like home. I sincerely hope that it won’t be nearly so long until the next reunion, and that I’ll be able to make it.

I also got a chance, one morning, to revisit the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, where I hiked with several friends last summer. We only hiked three miles, but still got to see two panoramic views more spectacular than anything I remember from last year. Beautiful. No snakes or queasy stomachs this time, either.

On Sunday we also had an afternoon gathering with the Algers (Dad’s mother’s family). Although this one wasn’t as familiar (I don’t think I’ve ever been to an Alger reunion, unless I was under 5), it was still good to meet family members that I wasn’t familiar with before.

Here are some of the more surprising relative revelations:
- Great aunt Nell, who owns a bunch of woodland with a cabin where she goes hunting and fishing pretty often
- first-cousin-once-removed-in-law Jan, the head of Google Norway
- second cousins from about four different conservative Mennonite groups, one of which still wears cape dresses

Here are some of my favorite shots from the week…