A Barn Dance in Yosemite

Tonight we accompanied the V-Party of Five to an end-of-the-year celebration for the Mountain Home School group. It was a family affair consisting of a pot luck and Barn Dance held at the Yosemite Historical Center. Delicious barbecued tri-tip roasts were provided and all the side dishes and desserts were brought by folks like us, the families of the home-schooled kids. What K and I thoroughly enjoyed was to watch how well all the kids—from kindergarten age to junior high age—seemed to be able to socialize as one large family. There were no "clicks," no peer pressure, and the smiles were many—just clean-cut kids living the country life. And it was a whole lot of fun for all of us. The location was right along the beautiful Merced River, with many historical buildings from the early 1800s, which have held together beautifully through the years. It was a bit chilly eating outside, but the entertainment and dancing in the old barn warmed us up. And then a nice big campfire was burning out front with lots of large logs to sit on to keep warm by the fire. We had a great time!

KL found this outfit while visiting her great grandma in Cambria about a month ago. She's becoming quite the cowgirl and convinced her mom that it would be perfect to wear to this barn dance ! The horses on the skirt are hand-painted and beautiful.

PD took this one of us!

CD had a great time checking out all the old buildings.

This is out of order, but as long as I was showing the "portrait-type" pictures I thought I'd better not miss out on JD's picture. He loves his food . . . in fact as you'll see he was "first in line" as he had planned on a half hour before the line formed!

Here he is, circled toward the back of the picture, first to serve himself, as the women in front are still removing the covers.

JJ participated with the kids, actually giving them alot of assistance, in the dancing. It was a bunch of fun to watch everyone of all ages laughing and having so much fun.

A three piece band played lots of foot-stompin' music for the dancers.

It was fun to see KL with all her new friends she's made since moving to our little mountain town in November.

The South Fork of the Merced River . . . beautiful!

This is a picture I took off the Yosemite Historical Center's website to show you the stagecoaches that were used to bring visitors to Yosemite back in the 1870s. It was at least a two-day ride of jostling and bouncing aboard the "stage" which came up the stagecoach road, that now runs right through Park Sierra in Coarsegold, to reach the wonders of Yosemite!

JJ and PD enjoying the old log buildings on display.

Isn't this a cool stone chimney!

Life is good . . . what a fun time we're having!