"Heartwarming" you say? Yes, definitely heartwarming. Going to Beaverkill with her family was a desire of a lifetime for my mother. I went through that a bit in my first post, I know, but it really was such, such, such an awesome thing for me to be able to go there. Even now as I think of it, I get all fluttery, excited, and happy in my heart. It was incredible, amazing, fabulous, just so, so wonderful. I loved, loved, loved it. The people, the sights, all of it. It is something I will cherish so much forever.
Hence, you get to see all of my pictures. I did something not so smart on this trip. We brought two cameras--one for Kevin and one for me. That was smart. However, I did not think to empty the memory cards for either one before we left. That was not smart. We were going to buy a new memory card at the store, but kept forgetting. Kevin's camera quickly ran out of space, but mine lasted pretty well to the end. Anyway, point is, I am posting all of my pictures, but there aren't oodles and gobs of them so you should be able to handle it. I believe in you.
Beaverkill Day One
We had a long, lovely drive from Waterloo to the Beaverkill area. We drove through towns, not down the freeway. That is something Kevin always prefers, and it was fun to see all the sights. So great to see this sign!
As we planned our trip to Beaverkill, my mom was in charge of the hotel there. She talked to her dad who talked to her Uncle George so we could find out what would be a close place to stay. He totally hooked us up! We had top notch accommodations with my mom's second cousin and his wife, Roger and Debbie Lynker. They have one son and one grandson. They let six girls and four adults descend upon their peaceful lives!
They were so, so great. As soon as we drove up, Debbie came out and began grabbing bags to carry in for us. As I thanked her so much for letting all of us come stay, her comment was "Why wouldn't I?" Hmm. I could think of a few reasons it would be easier NOT to have ten additional people at your house! She's so kind. As soon as all our stuff was brought in, her next question was "When did you eat last?" Then she brought out a divine dinner--really a huge spread. Every time I tried to help with dishes she'd say "Sit down. You are on vacation. You don't know how to relax!" Maybe she is right!
In this photo we all loaded into the back of the truck (yeah, that's right. I let my kids ride in the back!) on our way over the mountain to the Stone House and the Hemlock Cottage.
Theodore Willich, original owner of all this property had purchased 1,000 acres of land in Beaverkill. These two houses were built on it (the stone house was built by him, the hemlock cottage was built by a friend, but later purchased by Theodore). Now the land has been divided up by several of the members of the Willich family. I am not sure how much they own between them all, but it is a lot! A huge forest of their own private land. What a great back yard!
This is the side of the hemlock cottage. I am pretty sure that is Grandpa Reese in the top right window.
Camilla, Eliza, and Madeline in front of the hemlock cottage--so named because it stands in a grove of hemlock trees.
This is a painting of my mom's grandmother--Helen Andrus Willich. She was an actress and this is a portrait of her in a play or something. I think this was in a room where my mom slept as a little girl (but I can't remember for sure now!).
The Hemlock Cottage. My Great Uncle George Willich and his wife Linda live here in the summers now. They have done a lot of work on the gardens around it. They are absolutely gorgeous!
There used to be a dam of rocks here all across the river. My mom said she and her sisters/cousins would spend a few hours every day working on the dam. It was their special job to move all the rocks into place. It's been washed away now. None of the other grandkids were assigned that job apparently! Grandpa Reese helped my girls do some work on it.
Though we weren't dressed for swimming, my girls waded right in. I didn't let them stay too long because it was night and I didn't want them all wet, but they loved their first steps in the river!
Anna appropriately stayed out for the time being!
Aren't those little rock wall barriers stunning!? I love them. Oh my goodness, such a beautiful place.
Such a beautiful Camilla as well.
My mom said when the dam was there, this water was deep enough for row boats.
With Grandma on the banks of the Beaverkill!
The Stone House. This is just right next door to the hemlock cottage. Grandma Kathy and her sisters/cousins used to play Indians in the woods between the houses.
We invited ourselves on over to meet (or reacquaint with, in my mom's case) the people here. We met my mom's cousin Jackie--one of Aunt Kathy's daughters, Jackie's kids, Packy (Patrick), Liam, Alex, and Fiona. They were all very personable. Fiona was incredible. She is only 16, but soooo mature and grown up! She immediately memorized all of my girls names and ages, made them feel at home, and helped them cook s'mores. Jackie also welcomed us right into her home and fed us chocolate cake! Mmmm! She also memorized all my kids names right away (that is a pretty impressive feat!).
We also met cousin Liz, another one of Aunt Kathy's daughters, and her kids A.J. and Sarah. Both Liz and Jackie have husbands, but I can't remember their names! Shame on me. Liz and Jackie's brother Patrick came the next day and so we got to meet him. Another brother, Albert, did not come, but we did meet his wife and daughters on our last day. Kathy's other daughter is named Carolyn. She was not there, but her daughter was (Lisle, I think. I know it was a sound of music name!)
The pretty lady in the white shirt is my mom's aunt, Kathleen. My mother was named after her, and my Camilla was named after her! There were a few other cousins here, Fiona, and I think one named Kathleen who goes by Katy also named after her. (Katy came just as we were leaving on our last day, so I can't be certain on the name there). It was awesome to meet this lady. I have seen pictures of her and heard about "Aunt Kathy," and was so happy to get to know her.
She was such a sweet lady and so nice to my girls.
These are the two bridges in Beaverkill. Side by side bridges. See the one they are standing on, then there is one just behind them? Theodore build one to cross to his property from the road. A friend built a house close by and also used the bridge. They later had a falling out and the friend could not stand having to share the bridge, so he built his own! Kind of funny, isn't it?
I had to keep going over and over the family tree to keep everyone straight! So, for my own sake--because my brain doesn't hold onto things very long--here's how it goes.
Original Theodore Willich (aka Papak) was married to Sylvia Mattman (aka Gagra)
they had two kids: Theodore and Albert.
Theodore had three kids; Charlotte, Margery, and Sylvia. Sylvia was the mother of Roger (Roger and Debbie are the ones we stayed with).
Albert (aka Papa) married Helen Andrus (aka Maimi) had three kids: Theodore (my grandpa), George, and Kathleen
Theodore had six kids (Sylvia, Kathy, Cheryl, Yvonne, Christine, and Theodore)
George had two kids (Dawson and Brooks) I met both of them.
Kathleen had five kids (Patrick, Carolyn, Jackie, Albert, and Liz)
So there you go. The family tree in a nutshell.
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