The Color Drive 2008

This was my 7th annual Color Drive. The 3rd weekend of every October is reserved for the rest of my life. The title was coined by Pike County in 1988.  To them it is a county wide craft festival, antique show, garage sale.  To the women in Jon's family - it is so much more. We started our tradition in 2001. I was blessed to join in 2002. Rhonda, Sarah (Jon's sister), and I always attend and meet up with Connie (Jon's aunt) and Nanny (Jon's Grandma). Amanda (my closest comrade) and Katie (Sarah's closest comrade) have each made the trip 3 or 4 times as well and have a standing lifetime invitation.  

It's not possible to put the weekend into words.  It's always the same - and always completely different.

We stay at Nanny's in Pittsfield, Illinois.  Both Rhonda and St

eve - Jon's parents - grew up in this town of under 5,000.  The weekend is spent in Connie's suburban making our trek across Pike County.  Pike County is just over the Mississippi River between Missouri and Illinois. 

The weekend in statements and photos (see the title link for more pics):

• We visit the family tree at their burial sites and bring them annual gifts.                         This year - mini muffins from our yummy brunch at The Eagle's Nest in Louisiana
• Non-failingly, we visit Wilhelmina Ringling Pappenfort. She is buried with her husband - Otto, and family at the crest of a hill overlooking the mighty Mississippi. Unfortunately, she is faced the opposite way. Fortunately, her view really doesn't count. And we get a beautiful view as we visit.  We haven't met Wilhemina, but her name captured us in 2002 and we've said hello ever since. One day we believe she'll become a character in a children's book. 
• Fried snickers, funnel cakes, corn dogs, (sloppy joe if your prego), fries with sugar, the BEST root beer you've ever tasted, breakfast around Nanny's table each morning - always biscuits and gravy and of course Nesquik.
• BITTERSWEET. I was introduced to my love in 2001 and look forward to scavenging each year. It is a vine and the females produce an amazing orange cluster of berries. It's perfect for wreaths or decorations. We find it for sale at antique / craft shops - usually at the cost of $7 - $10 for a small bundle. If we sold what we found - we'd make some serious cash. But we're not in it for the money. Of course it's nice to know we bring a mint home in our trunk each year. 

I'll let the photos take it from here.  The weekend is less about the Colors (which have been so beautiful in the past) and more about the Drive. Being together in one space for a solid 48 hours has knitted us together. I am in love with these women and so honored to have them as family.