Tepee Party & Fish Fry

Last Tues. evening we were treated to a grand evening when one of our RV park trailerites (Sue) hosted a "come one, come all" party at her family's tepee. Another rv'er took this picture of us (tepee in background) sitting on the deck.
Sue's family owns a mountain property out on Cinnamon Pass Road where they've built a huge wooden deck and on it have erected a big, big tepee. We are amazed at the comfort and amenities they've achieved, without benefit of electricity, of course. The tepee's diameter is probably 30' at the base, and is proportionately tall, is structured of heavy canvas, rope and poles. The deck, beyond what holds the tepee, extends another 20 or so feet on one side, making a sorta rectangle 20x50 for outdoor living, plenty of room for @40 of us to be comfortably seated in lawn chairs with walk-around room left over. Inside, Sue had 2 huge pots of chili going, various libations, desserts (everyone brought food galore to augment the hostess' chili); outside were more libations, appetizers, and grilled hotdogs/condiments.
We always say we look best in hats and sunglasses; this pic is proof positive! The atmosphere was very relaxed and a good time was had by all.
Sue and her family left the tepee up all last winter; heavy snow caused some pole breakage and they may take it down this fall. They use the retreat for various gatherings and family reunions, and though Sue maintains a trailer in our park, she enjoys time at the tepee with her little doggies.
The next evening the RV park residents all joined in a fish fry potluck, always a good food event. Several people who're professionally involved in the Texas schools system were on the move by the next day, heading for home and another school year, so the potluck was scheduled to bid them farewell for the season. Two additional rigs left the next morning for Oklahoma, retirees who were ready to move on for the rest of the season. All in all, we lost 4 "regulars" this week, a sure sign that the season is winding down.
We've made a decision to leave in time to be home Sept 24 and have so advised our caretaker and neighbors. The local wine festival is the 20th, and fall colors will be in their full glory, so after the 20th we're pretty ready to head home and take up life back in Oro Valley.
We miss our friends and our life there, but are contentedly looking forward to the rest of the summer here, as well.