Reelfoot Lake

We had our McCoy Family Reunion down at Reelfoot Lake last weekend. Nancy & I were the representatives for the James McCoy clan. It was a small gathering this year due to a couple of sick folks but we're hoping for a bigger turnout next year. And of course, we had a good time anyway. The first picture is Nancy in front of the Ridgely Historic Museum. When we first get to the lake we always do a little tour of Ridgely & Tiptonville to see what still exists from our family's history. The house Joe was born in has been torn down and one of the houses Nancy lived in has burned down. Our grandparents house (Cloud side) is still standing -but just barely - as are a few other relatives' houses and a few of the other houses my parents lived in. The house that daddy & grandpa Cloud built is still looking pretty good although Nancy thinks the yard has shrunk. On our tour we always try to get into this museum - but it's always locked and closed. Nancy is sure they have some artifacts about her in there - like when she was in the Strawberry Festival Parade - I'll have to see if I can find that picture.
The second picture is Nancy on the deck of a 'banquet room' at our motel. This is a 'fisherman/hunter" world so the lodging accomadations are not top notch but they were clean and we even had a phone & tv. The banquet room is where we have our Saturday nite potluck dinner and usually our Sunday morning Baptist worship service. This year Uncle Jessie (preacher) had a revival so he couldn't stay for Sunday and Uncle Hartsel (song leader) is taking chemo and was not well enough for the trip. Our cousin, Elaine, had her keyboard with her but she was also expected at her own congregation Sunday morning as organist.
The last picture is over at the park - Reelfoot Lake has always held a certain fascination for me - I think it's really neat how the cypress trees grow up right out in the middle of the lake. The lake was formed by the 1811-1812 earthquakes when the Mississippi reversed and filled the chasm formed. They say the lake is very shallow - 18 feet at the deepest but averages about 5-6 feet. The old forest that was covered made a natural fish hatchery - therefore - a fisherman's paradise. But I just think the lake is picturesque even though a lot of the trees are starting to die off. By the way, there was an earthquake while we were there but we didn't even feel it. Oh look - I found the picture - can your pick out Nancy?