Hugh's 60th Birthday, 7/25/09

Today was one of the favorite days of my life! I awoke for our early drive to the Ocoee and read all of the neat birthday cards that had come. I packed the new cooler Trey had given me and we drove the three hours listening to a new mystery on Susan's Ipod. This was "Play Dirty" by Sandra Brown. I knew that Susan, Rob Strangia, and Lou Roudolph had been planning some special things for my birthday and that we would be staying in Murphy, NC overnight eating out but didn't know all of the details. We met Rob Strangia, Craik Davis, Brian Berg, Gavin Fay, Mark Neisler, and Jeff Wood from Atlanta at the Whitewater Center and then Wesley arrived with a contingent of at least 10 more with his new wife Jen, Sturat Everett, Brian and Natalie Pickett, Steve Moore, and the Weatherfords. Jen & Wesley did the whole river in a Jackson Dynamic Duo kayak. On the way down as we approached Roach Motel rapid Wesley's group sang happy birthday to me. When we got to the putin for the Middle Ocoee River we met Mike Kennedy, Erin & her son, and Lou & Mary Ann Roudolph. We all ate cookies that Susan had baked. Then we headed down for a great playboat run down the Middle Ocoee. We all got to the Murphy Chop House and sat outside, were entertained by a singer/guitar player, & had wine and appetizers that Susan had arranged and then had a great meal. As we parted late, I marvelled how I had had to wait for my 60th birthday to have my very favorite birthday I've ever had. Thanks bunches everyone for a great day. It meant soooo... very much to me! /hugh

    All photos are public domain.
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