Categories
Vansgiving

2021 – Michigan – April

Lodging

Lorraine, Jeanie, & Cathy’s houses

Attendees      

Bob
Tom & Kirsten
Nicole & Megan
Dave & Lori
Joni & Chuck
Jeanie
Cathy
Barb
Daniel
Stephanie
Whitney
Morgan

Categories
Vansgiving

2020 – Yellowstone National Park – June

June 21 – 27

Lodging

Rental house in Gardiner, MT

Attendees      

Bob
Tom & Kirsten
Dave & Lori
Nicole & Megan
Lorraine
Stephanie
Jean
Joan
Cathy
Barb & Deeon

Highlights

Lamar Valley
Petrified Tree
Mammoth Hot Springs
Hayden Valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Old Faithful
Grand Prismatic Spring
Firehole Canyon Drive
Norris Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
36,297 bison sightings

Categories
Vansgiving

2019 – Oregon – June

June 23 – 29

Lodging

Rental house in Pacific City, OR

Attendees      

Bob & Annie
Tom & Kirsten
Dave & Lori
Nicole & Megan
Lorraine
Joan
Cathy
Barb

Highlights

Tillamook
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Bridal Veil Falls
Multnomah Falls
Mount St. Helens
Depoe Bay
Mom’s cotton candy hairdo
Silver Falls

Categories
Vansgiving

2018 – Tennessee – June

June 23 – 30

Lodging

Rental house in Pigeon Forge, TN

Attendees      

Bob & Annie
Tom & Kirsten
Dave & Lori
Nicole & Megan
Lorraine
Jean
Joan
Cathy
Barb & Deeon

Highlights

Dollywood
Stampede dinner show
Moonshine
Parrot Mountain
Smokey Mountain Alpine Coaster
Fireworks
Smokey Mountains National Park
Tail of the Dragon Road
Ruby Falls
Incline Railway
Rock City The Ark Encounter (half the group)

Categories
Vansgiving

2014 – Michigan – October

October 5 – 12

Lodging

Hotel rooms in St. Ignace
Rental house in Munising, MI

Attendees      

Bob & Annie
Tom & Kirsten
Dave
Nicole & Megan
Daniel & Allison
Lorraine
Stephanie
Jean & Ralph **
Joan & Chuck
Cathy **

Highlights

Waitress Judy at Big Boy restaurant
Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Island
Tahquamenon Falls
Whitefish Point
Pictured Rocks
Miners Castle
Rabbit Patch Road
Kitch-iti-kipi

** = first Vansgiving

There were sixteen of us
In our oddball clan,
Driving around in a
White passenger van.

We crossed the bridge
Some five miles long
Should we skip a meal?
That would be wrong

To Big Boy for chow
And harassment by Judy
She was tons of fun
But not much of a cutie

On to Mackinac Island
Just east of Mighty Mac
Saw a few sights
And then we came back

Rental house in Munising
Was filled with stools of steel
It’s time to play cards
Have a seat so I can deal

We had long daily drives
To see waterfalls and such
We saw what we could
But there’s really not much

We truly were stuck
On Rabbit Patch road
Where we disembarked
To lessen our load

Using rotting sticks
We dug out the sand
We pushed it free
And then clapped our hands

To Root Beer falls
In the cold and sleet
Looking at faces
I think people are beat

Our Thanksgiving feast
Was from turkey to cake
Nicole made her dessert
The traditional bake

This reunion is over
We’re in the homes we know
But next year in July
It’s Montanada we go.