I’ve been meaning to make this rendezvous for a spell now, but the past few years the timing just never did work out. This year, though, the stars saw fit to line up in my favor. My brother Earl and I loaded the wagon and set our sights on Laurie, Missouri, where the gathering’s held down in the city park.

’Tis a small rendezvous, maybe ten camps in all this year, but what it lacks in size it surely makes up for in good company. There’s something to be said for a small camp—folks take time to sit a spell, share stories, and lend a hand when needed.

The weather had threatened rain, and sure enough, we caught a light sprinkle right after we got camp set. Didn’t amount to much though—just enough to tamp down the dust and bring out that good, earthy smell. The rest of the weekend stayed fair and mild, fine weather for visiting and keeping the fire going.

Saturday night found Earl and me sitting up late with a few of the other campfolk. The talk and laughter carried on long past midnight and right on through till the first light of dawn. Been many a year since I’ve sat by a fire that long, watching the stars give way to morning. It did my heart good.

Come Sunday, we broke camp and pointed the rig north about a dozen miles to pay a short call on a friend before turning homeward toward Springfield. The visit was brief but welcome, a fitting end to a fine weekend.

All told, it was a good rendezvous—simple, friendly, and full of that easy fellowship you can only find around a campfire. I’ll surely be back next year, if the Good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.

T’was a pleasure to meet Tom Wilson from Tennessee too.