MOUSETAIL PICNIC

Written by Judy Qualls

Reprinted from TN Chapter “F” Newsletter

            WOW!!! What a great weekend.  Filled with fun, food, friends (seeing old ones, making new ones) laughter and sweating in the humid Tennessee weather and just plain enjoying ourselves.

            Don and Marion Oller, our hats are off to you along with our applause for the wonderful planning and presentation of the picnic.

            Friday night started off with hot dogs, chili and all the trimmings.  Our own Jim Henderson out did himself on the chili and he grills a mean hot dog too.  Everyone pitched in and got supper served and cleared away.  Then we were ready for some Bingo, which is much fun and highly competitive.

            Saturday morning dawned hot and humid but Jim was back at the grill, with help from our friend Jackie (he rides 4 legged horses), to prepare pancakes and sausage for us.  After breakfast was done you were free.  Well free to play games:  Plinko, Quarter Drop, Frisbee Toss, or the New popular game, Wheel of Fortune.  Where else can you have so much fun for a quarter?!

            Don laid out an observation ride for us, to be ridden at your leisure.  He provided us with maps, but no hints of what to look for.  We thought we should try and think like Marion (scary as that may sound).  So the “side kicks” scribbled notes as the “buckaroos” whizzed around curves, just hoping they could read the notes later.  We went by Loretta Lynn’s store, took a break, and then went on to enjoy more of the beautiful scenery the Lord has given us to enjoy.  Don gave us a quiz Saturday evening; think we all surprised him at just how observant we were.

            Early on Saturday morning our friends, Joe Wiggins and Brian King and their helpers started up his (Joe’s) cooker to fix our meal for lunch.  (When I say early in the morning it was like around midnight or before).  We had BBQ Ribs, BBQ pork shoulder, Turkey and Bologna.  Delicious, mouthwatering, and scrumptious are just a few words to describe the food.  James Taylor made slaw, we had baked (well grill cooked) beans and all the usual fixin’s that go with Tennessee BBQ.  After all the food, we were rubbing our tummies and saying why did I eat so much?

            After lunch you could nap, play games, ride or visit with others.  Of course Marion didn’t let us rest long.  She brought out the wheelbarrow for a race.  Benny and Stacy from Alabama won the competition with no problems.

            More Bingo after supper, then on to the prize winning ticket drawing.  Lots of great gifts were up for grabs.  Some people had to rent a trailer to take their winnings home in.  I won’t mention any names, but you know who you are!!!  Sorry Gloria didn’t get her toaster, maybe next time.

            Much fun was had by all.  Most everyone said their good byes Saturday night, because they were leaving early on Sunday.

            Sunday morning we assembled to load back up for the trip home, the trailer weighed less going back.  A few riders came by to bud us farewell.

            We sincerely hope that all of you (125 registered) who came enjoyed fun and fellowship with us and plan to come again.  Next year (a day and a half event).