Written by Mama Flamingee Michele
Our second 25th annual gathering fluffed our feathers and provided ample opportunity to reconnect in the fantastic setting of the wild and scenic Rogue River. Momentum River Expeditions managed our four day/three night trip fulfilling our every need, giving us the gear we needed, the expertise and service we wanted and the most desirable meeting space ever! Bet they never expected to see hearts and Flamingos on their rafts in pink duct tape! Ashley made our river arrangements and coordinated our river running with nary a hitch. Every Flaminga took to the water in a "ducky" sometime during the trip and all felt confident on the paddle rafts in the technical rapids with our great guides Mara, Erik and Jeff and gearmaster Arden overseeing our bags. Beautiful, warm, sunny weather greeted us each day, so jumping off the rafts and floating down river in our life jackets seemed natural to many. Being on the river brings us into the present and reminds us to "go with the flow".
Double "ducky" paddlers Joanie C. and Joan A. proved most entertaining with Joan in the back workin' hard maneuvering the waves and Joanie sprawled in front taking in the sun. Ashley double kayaked with all who wanted an expert's touch. And Joanie's stash of beer sure tasted great after a day on the river. It held us over until our daily cocktail hour...and a half.
Flamingees always dress for Saturday dinner, and this year was no exception even though we were on the river! Tina and Heidi adorned mysterious head dresses that transported us to the Middle East. Maren and Barbara interwove scarves and flowers in their hair. Judy wore the hand painted Flamingo shell necklace, a gift from far in the past that continues to attract attention. Joan A made unique use of the Flamingo river visor gifts. Even our guides got into the "pink thing". No one ever did find out how Carolyn's pink tights ended up on guide Jeff...
Our meeting room sparkled with Flamingo bling thanks to Flamingee Tina's treasure trove, not to mention the new champagne flutes Tina decorated and brought for each member. And the bubbly flowed because Carol lugged bottles of the precious nectar to the Rogue for us. At our meeting Flamingo historian and writer Jane entertained us with tales of Filomina. Be ready for some new chapters next year as Jane has her pen in hand! After Carolyn's revealing introduction we initiated new Flamingee Marlene Mills who arrived on the trip with pink galore. Welcome!... We sang our Flight song written by Kris. Thank goodness for Jane's fluent Spanish that helped us through the second verse. Our gifts proved perfect for our special liquid tastes. Wendi bestowed the coveted Flamingo Lampus - bedecked as never before - upon her unsuspecting roommate Suzie. And we completed all our "business" by lights out because Judith handled her time keeper duties with much finesse!
Even our Flamingo fellas got in the act. Burt (Marlene) sent along "Kayak like a Girl" stickers that found their way on our water bottles and bags. Alan (Joanie) sent soft, cuddly Flamingoes that Joanie presented as prizes.
The pre/post river run doings blossomed into a wealth of events. In Ashland Judith and Carol organized cocktail parties, theatre parties, dinner parties, shopping parties, hiking parties and party parties, complete with a printed schedule, for all who wanted to participate. The special treat was seeing Originale Kris who visited the Ashland group and shared her sunshine. Once off the river Judy was met at the river's edge by her dashing husband David who whisked her off for a romantic sojourn on the Oregon coast. Tina headed north for Portland and beyond. Maren, Carolyn and Marlene stayed an extra night for more Ashland theatre. Lucky Ralph (Carol) got to fly home five fluttering Flamingas. It appears that three Flamingees are considering a move to Oregon. Should the moves occur, we'll have mega reasons to return to this wonderland for future Flings.
We have been flinging together for 25 fantastic years. It is a time to celebrate friendships and sisterhood. It's a time to de-stress and frolic. It's a time for fun.
