Last weekend the Rainbow Riders, my bike group, had their annual Christmas celebration. 20 women (and one 3-year old boy) in five cabins at Fort Casey, about 35 miles up the island from my house. This is our third year at that location, at least our tenth Christmas weekend, and the most women we've ever had.This year, for the first time, we also rented Garrison Hall, as we didn't think all 20 of us would fit into one of the cabins for our group celebrations. Gerry, Nancy and I went up early on Friday to decorate. (Every year I keep collecting more decorations from the thrift store but think I'll have to stop as I'm running out of room in my garage!) Friday night we ordered out for pizza and started a jigsaw puzzle, which compulsive me was up until 10:30 finishing. (hmmm, not sure about the grammar in that last sentence....)
After our group breakfast in the hall on Saturday, the rain held off just long enough for us to get in a nice 20 mile bike ride. We stopped in Coupeville for lunch and a bit of shopping. Then on back to the cabins for naps and showers. Saturday night we had our group potluck dinner, followed by our usual wild and crazy white elephant gift exchange.Afterwards, Carol built us a bonfire on the beach, and even though it was raining pretty good by then, quite a few of us went down for a short "welcoming the Solstice" celebration. We tried to hold lit candles but the rain and wind made this a bit difficult.
After another group breakfast on Sundays, it was time (way too soon!) to take down all the Christmas decorations, pack up stuff, and say good bye. All but Nancy, Susan, Gerry and I, who took the ferry to Port Townsend for the day, shopping (N, G, and V) and watching the Seahawks game in a bar (S), and then stayed another night at the cabins.
