Memorial Day Blast - And The Beat Goes On

Although many people think the pulse of the Ranch slows down during the winter months, spring brings the heartbeat of the Ranch to life and the beat goes on. Memorial Day Weekend is usually the indicator for a successful season and if this weekend is to be the barometer of summer fun, hold on to your sunscreen, we are in for a blast.
Friday was a beautiful day and several spent the day readying their RV sites, camp sites and cabins for a long weekend. After hauling in a kitchen load of food, we were set for feasts, festivities, and fun. We had a spontaneous dinner on Friday night and all were invited to join in and partake of the contributions of the participants. Ellis called to tell everyone in the clubhouse to batten down the hatches, a storm was coming and we were able to witness the most spectacular lightening show from the clubhouse. All safe and sound, listening to the rain on the tin roof, we were able to feel the heartbeat of Mother Nature and the warmth of love as we were surrounded by our Ranch friends and family.
Saturday dawned with a few remnant clouds, but the sun soon broke through and the pool area quickly filled with sun worshipers. Blonde Steve led an enthusiastic crowd of conscientious members in a water aerobic workout and the beat of the music and the waves in the water were the pulse of a new day.
After lunch, Marty and Craig broke out the blender to provide the crowd with Blue Tarantula's. Suzie and Marty continued to mix drinks the entire afternoon and only a few members were able to escape getting "bitten by the spider". Craig's special glass also provided a "shot" of adrenalin for those willing to try his concoction. Music filled the air, water volleyball players filled the pool, sunbathers filled the chairs, and fishermen tested the lake waters to see how the fish were biting. And the beat goes on.,...
Organizers began preparing for the Holiday Meal as tables were set up, the grill being readied, and members and guests gathering once again to be reminded of the importance of the Memorial Day observance, the necessity of teamwork at the Ranch, and the camaraderie of Ranch family. Approximately 50 members gathered behind the clubhouse , joined hands and were reminded of the names of everyone who was participating in the celebration of the evening.
Don, Robbie, Chris, and Craig manned the grill, looking rather festive in their aprons, as members and guests lined up to fill their plates with hamburgers and hotdogs. The line snaked around tables in the clubhouse, adding delicious chili and slaw to their burgers and dogs, a myriad of side dishes to their plates, and inches to their waists and they were unable to resist the temptation of the wide variety of desserts prepared by the members. And the beat goes on.....
Following dinner, a poker game started, friends gathered on decks, by the pool, in the RV park and some even went to bed rather early, perhaps feeling the effects of the "spider bite" of the Blue Tarantula's. Scott serenaded us by the pool and played his guitar and new activities started for the evening. After the poker game ended, poker players joined a group by the pool and the conversations lasted until 2:00 in the morning. Carl and Vi continue to keep the beat of the Ranch going until the wee hours of the morning by providing the night owls another opportunity to converse with friends.
Sunday morning early risers were rewarded with breakfast prepared by John and Lisa. They provided us with french toast, John's speciality, Lisa's bacon and sausage, and Don's biscuits and another day at the Ranch began. Water aerobics, water volleyball, and a leftover lunch kept the crowd busy and David and Susan cranked up the ice cream maker to serve everyone home made pineapple ice cream by the pool. Scott and Alyson arrived with THEIR blender and contributions to serve afternoon refreshments to the multitudes. Is the heartbeat slowing at this point? Oh no,,the beat goes on.
Small groups gathered in various places to have dinner in the Meadow, The Woods and in the clubhouse and once again, all were fed.
A golf cart ride was organized and laughter filled the trails as approximately 10 carts made their way back to the group gathered by the pool. A quick dip in the hot tub by several members of the golf cart brigade, a promise to retrieve the cart which died on the trails, and a goodbye to the group chatting by the pool, and the day was almost over..well maybe at 4:00 AM when the last group said goodbye and closed up shop for the day.
The group that stayed until Monday morning had diminished slightly, but there was still a significant crowd of members who were unwillingly to leave the heartbeat of the Ranch and go home. Suzie, Christa, Don, and Lynn cleaned the pool area before the storm came and several were staying until Tuesday morning weathered out the morning storm to stay another day.
So many people are to be thanked for providing assistance to this weekend's success. Each and every member who shopped for food and supplies, contributed products to stock the kitchen, prepared food to feed members and guests, donated money to cover present and future costs, washed dishes, emptied trash and made trash runs, served refreshments by the pool, straightened the pool area, and organized events and activities are to be thanked for their contributions. No one can be left out of the "THANK YOU" list. We all work together to make sure "THE BEAT GOES ON".