Thanks for the write up, for those of us who couldn't be there. Sounds like a great trip and gathering, despite some travel difficulties. Anyone else have a write up to share? I wouldn't be able to go anyway, but this might be a hard time for people with kids winding up the school year, to travel. There is graduation and all that going on, too. Teachers finishing up the school year-that sort of thing. Some people might be able to travel more after the school year is over. It wouldn't affect those close by, probably, but it might make a difference to those who have to travel a long way. Just a thought I had. I grew up in a town that is known for being in a time warp! 8>)) the cemetery is like a park, complete with benches and sculptures. I always wondered if the places my grand and great-grandparents lived were like where I grew up. Cecelia > All of y'all got home y'day before we did --- an anticipated 11 hr drive > became 14: blowout, lugnut caps broken (not even the hiway patrolman > that helped us had seen this), freeway closed becasue of wreck, hard > rain..... > > Gilley Hill, perhaps all of Cannon Co., is in a time warp. How long has > it been since you have seen a store w/ a screen door? Joe's has one. > My Sissom cousins from GA, 1st timers: "Joe I thot you were exaggerating > just to get us to come, but you downplayed it." Another comment: > "This is not like a cemetery. It has benches." "I've never seen a > cemetery like this. It is a real celebration." > And how about the family that insists on mounding the graves, something > very new to me, and upsetting to some members of the the same family. I > am told that this comes out of the Church of Christ via scripture, > "Don't let the grass grow on my grave." I have written a very devout C > of C member/cousin for her comment. > > The sharing sessions had fewer people than I had hoped, more than I > expected, some from TX, IN, GA, AR, SC, NC. The noise level at times > approached that of an airport. 12 nano seconds after I arrived, being > met by Danny Nichols (who was invaluable in putting things together for > the meeting), we found we had common Fuston ancestors --- as does the > librarian's husband! I didn't get any Byford help, but did get insights > on Bashams. > > My cousin Jerry, born & raised in Cannon, never involved in research, > visited w/ us Mon. and had lunch at Joe's. Before he left, he told me, > "Joe, I'm beginning to see why you like this. All of these people are > so interested in what is, and what was, here, where they came from. > They have asked me so many questions. I hope they all come back and > I'll take them anywhere." FYI, on my 1st trip to Cannon some years > ago, I wanted to go to the Espy cave (goes by many names) which was the > site of may family gatherings) and Jerry took me, having to scramble up > & down one of the steep ridges to do it. > > Now if only Woodbury had a motel!!! > > I hope those of you who weren't there are realizing that those of us who > were are trying to make your mouth water. Yes, I found new cousins, but > most of all, I found some new FRIENDS. This was more about friends than > genealogy, I guess. Jeanine & I will be back next year. Thanks to all > of you who contributed to a marvelous experience. > > Joe >