The Magees: High Hampton 2009

Its a trip we look forward to every year – the Wilson family reunion at High Hampton Inn. This is our sixteenth year up here (my grandmother started this tradition forever ago), and it was another wonderful year! The whole clan comes up here - the Ross Wilsons, the Sam Wilsons (that’s us), and the Mississippi Wilsons (aka the Marcus Wilsons). Over the years, the group has grown and shrunk and grown . . . you get the picture.

We have several things we always do: (1) table fellowship, which is where we sit at the table way after the meal is over (part of this tradition involves eating too much and then talking about eating too much); (2) canoe trip with Headwaters Outfitters, which everyone complains about leading up to the time we hit the water because it requires getting up early on Saturday morning, but after the fact (and after we finish in record time), it always makes for some good stories; (3) cottage fellowship, which is the hang-out time after dinner back in Oak Cottage – the place where we have stayed all these years; (4) family photos, which usually involve some “looking on” pictures and a bunch of chaos rounding everyone up for the photo shoot; (5) attending Whiteside Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning (without fail Daddy would find a PCA church no matter WHERE we were); (6) Bingo and Horseracing in the lodge after dinner; and (6) the Memorial Day BBQ on Sunday night with a performance by the Appalachian Mountain Cloggers, which includes someone from our group – especially Marcus – joining the professional folks and always makes for some good laughs and good pictures.

Of course, there are some new traditions, too: (1) golf, which has become a tradition for the boys thanks to Patrick’s encouragement; (2) spa/yoga time, which we owe to Joan; and (3) wine tasting (this was the first year, but it was a big hit, as is anything that involves a competition and the Wilson family). This was Anne Louise’s first trip to HH, and it couldn’t have gone better!

“Visiting” Outside Oak Cottage

Hanging out before dinner: Bingo in the Lodge (Sara Frances was the big winner this year and came away with a whole $6) Tea Time (everyday at 4 up in the lodge):

The Wilson Family Pre-Canoe TripThe Trip Down the French Broad (second year in a row that Joan and I managed to get out of that one, thank goodness, so we have deemed ourselves the “Official Photographers”):

Post-Canoe Trip

The New Tradition – Family Wine Tasting (everyone brings 2 bottles of same wine; we open one, taste and rank it; and winner takes home all the second bottles)

Before heading to Whiteside Pres for church on Sunday (and on the porch after church) Sunday Memorial Day BBQ with cloggers (Anne Louise LOVED watching the cloggers)