Wednesday - July 24

Great to be back on Catrina - we moved her this morning to more convenient spot in marina, got Big Red out of storage, took rental car back and had great lunch in North Syracuse at the Coppertop Tavern (#1 on trip advisor)!    Mark is really sore and just when he thinks he's a tad better, those sharp pains return.    We are going to stay put and just chill here in Brewerton for awhile and let his back heal!

 Here we come minus the 3 little ones

Now, onto our wonderful week at Rainbow Trout......the Van Berkums (Linda and Doug, their son David and Jane) were our hosts and wow.....just the best in hospitality, seeing to everyone's needs and providing such an incredible setting and facility for our vacation.

There were 63 total guests at the ranch (17 Chamberlains/Campbells) and they came from all over the country, many repeat guests.    The wranglers, counselors, housekeeping and kitchen staff are college students and a fun bunch to hang out with.  Many of these talented young people are return workers.

We stayed in comfortable, rustic cabins and all converged on the big lodge for meals and entertainment.     The food was incredible - 3 meals every day.of good ole comfort food plus delicious desserts.

Our cabin "Bear"

Along with celebrating out 50th anniversary, we had 4 birthdays (Connor, Brooke, Blair and Maeve). and each of them received a special treat along with "Happy Birthday" sung by the staff.

Birthday People

Connor, Brooke, Maeve and Blair

The main emphasis each day was horseback riding, but we also had time for swimming, hiking, fly fishing, skeet shooting, archery, frisbee golf, card playing, relaxing!

Blair, Maeve and Luke had their personal counselor (Mikaela) to ride the horses, swim, do crafts, etc. each day.

Wednesday we went white water rafting on the Rio Grande near Taos - what fun.....

Davis and Drew hanging out in Taos

My favorite cowboy 

The Campbell Clan....Anne, Liam, Connor, Patrick 

Annette and Maeve

The weather was fantastic - every morning we woke to deep blue skies and fresh, nippy temps (upper 40's), but it didn't take long to warm up to lo to mid 80's.    We had 3 afternoons of rain (a couple were gully washers).    Love that fresh scent of pine and natural beauty.

Wednesday evening was extra special when the kids set up a family photo session and then surprised us with matching shirts....

The front said "Chamberlain - 2019" and were white, grey, orange, and pink

They put together (mainly Brooke) a wonderful video we all watched in the lodge on the big screen.    Starts with Mark and me as little people, our wedding, births of our kids, their weddings, grandchildrens' births, family vacations, hobbies and other special moments!   WOW!    

More coming tomorrow!