Saturday Sojourn - Table Rock Lake

"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth."
- Robert Southey (English poet and writer of prose. 1774-1843)

This week has been a rather tough one for me, but the saving grace of it has been the overwhelming love I've felt coming from my friends. It's made me think of the many retreats I've had with girlfriends through the years, and the ever strengthening bonds we've created during those brief snatches of time we devote to our friendships.

Last October I had the rare opportunity to reunite with another circle of friends, ladies I had gone to high school with in Kansas City over forty years ago. Five of us met at the lovely family lake home of our hostess, and we spent what can only be described as a magical weekend of relaxation, feasting, exploring, and strengthening the bonds of friendship with each other. Two of us still call Missouri home, and the other three joined us from Oklahoma, Washington D.C., and California. It was a time I will always hold dear to my heart.

Table Rock Lake is nestled in the unspoiled beauty of the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri near the city of Branson. The completion of Table Rock Dam on the White River in 1958 brought hydroelectric power to the area and created the 52,300 acre lake with over 800 miles of shoreline. The beauty of the area is rustic and natural, a perfect spot for a retreat to replenish the body and soul.

After retrieving one of the ladies from the airport in St. Louis, we headed south for the four hour drive...

Of course, we turned right at "EEEEEE!"

When we arrived at the lake house, we were greeted by our exuberant hostess...

We immediately made ourselves at home. This gorgeous deck got quite a workout.  First, though, we toasted our friendship...

...then went off to see the lake.

It was very relaxing

We went back to the lake house,

...where we ate,

 

and drank...

and danced the nights away. Basically, we took it very, very

True to the mercurial nature of Midwest Weather, one night a huge storm blew through the lake house...

But it only served to make things more beautiful...







It was the perfect time for communing with nature...



By the time this wonderful weekend was over, I knew I had been given the precious gift of yet another circle of enduring friendships.



Gypsy Women - Nancy, Jo, Reya, Vicki, Linda (left to right)

Today I wish you the blessing of good friends.

This may seem a strange music choice for today, but I know it will ring a bell with the Gypsy Women. Dance nights just wouldn't be the same without Barry, would they? Enjoy!