What to Expect

To give you an idea of what the reunion will be like, here are Ronnie's recollections about the Manzanita reunion in 2007:

Manzanita is a charming little town just off the 101. Laneda Avenue, the main street, runs from 101 to the beach and is where most commerce is centered. There are restaurants, cafes, and a nice variety of shops.

Frank and I arrived at our beachfront motel in the evening. Before the car was fully parked, we had exchanged greetings with half a dozen Maiers. We walked into the office grinning and said, "Reservation for Maier." The clerk was not amused; she had about 12 of those.

After settling in a bit, we made the short drive over to the park. Finding the meeting room was easy, and there were more people to greet in that parking lot. Then we went inside and found the real party.

The meeting room is about the size of a hamburger joint. It has several long tables (seating for dozens) and a corner food prep area with two long counters, a big sink, and electrical outlets. One wall opens wide onto an outdoor area with more tables, a firepit, and wooded paths where the kids had lots of fun climbing trees and (evidently) rolling in the dirt.

Bathrooms are off a separate hallway in the meeting room buiding.

From the meeting room, it's a short walk through the campground to the dunes. Up over the dunes, and you're on the beautiful sand beach. There, you can build sand castles, comb for shells and driftwood, get some exercise, or just stroll along enjoying the views of Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain. You can even swim if you're well insulated.

The campground is pretty, with a bit of shrub screening between the sites. The bathrooms are large and clean. I think the showers are individual stalls rather than an all-in-one room setup, but someone who camped should confirm that.

Meals were relaxed and fun. Everybody contributed dishes and conversation, and there was a delicious variety of both. Food was available throughout the day. (Mia's favorite was the big tub of Red Vines, so whoever brought that should give serious thought to repeating the gesture!) It seemed like breakfast was the most organized, orchestrated meal. I think a couple of people had brought electric griddles and people took turns manning them.

Between meals, we all did as we pleased. Some of us went into town on shopping expeditions or visited local wineries. Others played cards, played on the beach, went exploring, or took advantage of the recreational activities available nearby. As with any Maier gathering, the kids provided focus, motivation, and tons of enjoyment. And throughout the weekend, there was lots of talking and reminiscing, laughter and fun.

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