Summer 2008: Day 14, Noble Nephews 4th of July Barbeque

[Friday, 4th of July 2008, Rapid City]--This day was to be one of surprises and relief from responsibility. The explanation of each of these are contained in the story that follows.

We arrived in Rapid at mid-morning, driving down from our lodgings in Spearfish (less expensive and much better accommodations than the Super 8 in Rapid!), and quickly found Aunt Francis' home in South Rapid. As we arrived, no activity was noted inside the house, so the Grand Mother and Grumpy continued to listen to the "Book-on-CD" that we had been listening to on the way down to Rapid. Soon we noticed Aunt Francis come out of her house and load some things in her car. Grumpy got out of the Red Rocket, parked at the curb on the street, and hailed Francis -- she hadn't notice the "strange" car parked in front of her house.

Of course she invited us in and asked us if we wished anything to drink. I think both of us asked just for water. Later, when she had come back from delivering the goodies to Gary & Cindy's house, she asked again if she could provide us anything; Grumpy eagerly asked for some coffee! Then we sat around her living room visiting, Francis bringing the Grand Mother up-to-date with the Noble gang; the Grand Mother reciprocated, telling what the Zimmerman tribe is up to. Grumpy showed Francis some of the photos that had been taken so far on this trip.

Going over to Gary & Cindy's house at about 12:00 o'clock, we found a fairly large crowd already there. The big, pleasant surprise was finding that the Cortez family from Texas were there! Allesha Cortez is Gary & Cindy's oldest "child"; their three (or four) children are Francis' great grandchildren! Their oldest girl, Hailey, is now 11 years old -- and had a mouthful of braces, confirming her advancement toward the age of teenhood! She welcomed us, just as she had done the ear before, and then proudly announced to Grumpy that she had her "own e-mail address"!

Much visiting followed until the host and hostess announced, "Burgers, Brats and Hot Dogs are ready!" There was finger food galore and of course Chef Gary's inimitable barbecued meats. Grumpy chose a Brat, his favorite, and also chose some things for his First Wife, including a bottle of lightly-sugared green tea. We wish we had noted the brand as First Wife commented afterward how delicious and refreshing it was.

The day was quite hot -- especially for the moss-backs from the Pacific Northwest! Soon the children (ages 3 to 11) started dipping water glasses of water from the inflatable pool and pouring it on themselves -- and each other! Grumpy watched with envy; the year before he had become an instigator and, ultimately, a victim of a water fight that involved water guns, including a pump model that could shoot an accurate stream of water as much as 25-30 feet!! Grumpy was hoping -- yes, hoping -- that some kid would "accidentally" splash some water into the adult crowd sitting on the patio, just as they did last year. Then Grumpy would have the excuse he wanted to allow him to enter into the damp fray; it would be nice to be water-wet and cool, rather than sweaty-wet and hot just sitting there.

Then, without any such provocation, a gentleman (he objected to my calling him "Sir!", insisting that it almost gave him a heart attack) ventured out onto the field of battle, seeming to plead with the children for calm. Such futile hope! Soon he found himself attempting to defend himself using only a water glass and the same bottomless source of cool water that the children had been using. Alas, two against one! Realizing he didn't have a chance, he retreated after being dunked with a full glass of cool water down the back of his neck!! Grumpy both pitied him and envied him. This was the relief from a "responsibility" that Grumpy had foreseen as his to fulfill.

Gary & Cindy's back yard where the picnic was held was beautifully landscaped with these two gorgeous Climatis; one pink and the other a deep blue.

Later, the conflict succumbed to a bunch of wet kids wrapped in towels, sitting in any available warm place such as the uncooled garage. It was at that point that Larry (grandpa and great uncle of most if not all of the kids present) showed a characteristic likened (in Grumpy's mind) to BoPop. Pictured here he is monitoring the small ones playing on the plastic climbing, sliding and crawling playground toy.