What a great time we all had at the Riverbend gathering! It was so nice to
meet everyone and to see that they were truly excited to meet us too (that's
the Sally Fields part "they like me, they really like me!"

I will admit -- we were a little nervous about going. We were already
running late 'cause of Da's tennis (the second match of which got rained out
-- poor Da!) We parked in the lot where everyone else had not parked and
wandered across the field. At first we didn't see anyone. And then -- the
migration began. We saw a column of people making their way over. Did they
seem letterboxerish? Did they have backpacks? Ah heck -- they were all
carrying lots of food so we figured we were going to join that picnic no
matter what! With a tentative "are you all boxers" we joined the melee!

So many logbooks and so many stamps -- the ink was flying! Be took a moment
to get over his shyness but Ma got right in the mood. Once again, off she
went, introducing herself to lots of adults I probably didn't even get to
meet. For all those she spoke to -- believe only half of what she tells
you! Unless it's about Ha, and then it is probably true!

Now, I am one who is normally really bad at remembering names and faces.
And now it was names, faces, trail names, stamps, boxes placed.....HELP!
So, for those I met on Saturday (and forced to smell my new leather logbook
-- just like the stable minus the manure--) please don't be offended if I
walk right by you on the trail or try and introduce ourselves again. It's a
problem -- and I'm working on it. I can guarantee though, if I meet you and
you offer me a yodel, hoho, or any other chocolate covered confection --
your face will forever be imprinted in whatever Mommy brain cells I have
left!

As others have said -- it was a great experience! Just like meeting people
you feel you already know through posts and log book entries. But now you
get to see what they really look like and how they really are (now be honest
-- were we louder than you expected?!...)

The camaraderie was wonderful! The event stamps beautiful! The food was
plentiful. Thank you to those who remembered to bring utensils -- it could
have been very messy! Thank you to whomever brought the KFC -- something Be
actually ate (did you see how skinny he is? He eats nothing!)

We didn't get a chance to find the new Riverbend boxes or to snag the ones
we have yet to find. We'll save that for another day! We were grateful to
make it back to the car before the rain. Ever since that fateful trip to the
Statue of Liberty in that tremendous downpour Miss Ma has panicked at the
thought of heavy rain (and refuses to visit anymore national monuments...)

So thank you to everyone and Gaabriel for organizing the whole thing. We
had a great time! BeMa

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