A Grandparent’s Getaway
Grandparents need their own special friends. Long-lasting friendships like this, centered in Christ, are invaluable. This particular group has been together through thick and thin, prayed with and for one another, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Enjoy this story of a grandparent’s getaway to have fun! A special thank you to guest blogger, David Appelhof for sharing his thoughts and experience.
Who said grandparents and great grandparents can’t have fun?
Four couples, plus and minus 80 years old, spent the four days together at a cabin on beautiful Madeline Island, just off of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Majestic Lake Superior is a beautiful place!
We met at church and have been friends for over over 45 years. This group had many such trips together but this one was special. We are all aging. Situations arise that make our older generation enjoy each other just that much more. One of us can’t hear very well, another can’t see very well, another can’t remember very well, and another can’t drive any more. No matter what the ailment or hinderance, we can certainly still have a good time together.
Our few days started out right from the get-go, one car of two couples drove the four hours from Minneapolis and arrived at the ferry with out a potty stop along the way. We arrived at dockside just minutes before the ferry was due to depart for the 20-minute ride to the island. Once on board and parked, the driver urgently needed to use the rest room. However, as is the case on many ferry boats, parking is tight. But low and behold, our driver pulled a Houdini stunt and got out, only to realize there was not a public toilet on board. Our driver had amazing persuasive powers and was admitted to the employee only restroom. An emergency was alleviated.
This started as one of the many unique and funny experiences. Falling was part of our getaway. One grandpa did an accidental wheelie on a motorized trike and fell, but was not injured. Another tried getting off the boat gracefully after a beautiful sunset cruise, but wiped out. He was not injured either. A very competitive Boca Ball game ensued and another grandpa nearly went flying as a result of a poorly athletic attempt to throw the boca ball. The last “fall” was at a local gas station while pumping gas. All of these guys were pretty decent athletes in their younger years. Fortunately, there were no injuries just plenty of laughs!
The days consisted of many venturous outings. We saw a mystical little garden architecture village in the forest, the local beach, the town thrift shop, and the local artists gift shop. We had to try the local pizza and ice cream shop. However mostly, we enjoyed the great food and refreshments served at the cabin by the culinary experts in the group.
Each evening we would listen to one of our own play the guitar and serenade us. Occasionally, an oldies favorite would be played and it became a sing along. Most of all however, it was story after story about our 45 glorious years together.
The highlight of our trip this year was our last night together when we had a birthday celebration for “everyone’s” birthday. A random drawing took place prior to our trip in-order to determine who gives whom a gift. The guideline was that the present had to be a gag gift around a $10 price point. After dinner and birthday cake including candles, we opened our birthday gifts. Some were purchased in a store, some on-line and a few from the local thrift shop. It was a unique and wonderful way to celebrate each of our birthdays, all at once. We all agreed, each birthday these days is a real treasure.
I am writing this post to give thanks to our Lord that brought us together 45 years ago, while raising our families. We have shared many great memories together and shared in sad moments as well. We enjoy being together, whether on a Sunday morning at church, at a special social occasion, or when we are praying for personal or family illnesses and challenges.
It is a great pleasure for us to be together and to share the love of Jesus Christ. God is good! Praise the Lord!
Friends’ photo by Neil Olsen
Title photo by weston m on Unsplash
Read more grandparenting posts from guest bloggers!
© 2022 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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