Family returns to Vista Park for reunions

The Edeburn-Jennings family has been coming to Vista Park in Skamokawa for 25 years.

Or is that 24 years?

Cousins shout good-naturedly at each other in an attempt to sort out the details as Tammy Bielman recounts the history of their reunion.

"It started with a family of five brothers and sisters," Bielman said. "My mom died when we were very young, but it was her siblings that arranged this reunion. Most of that generation is gone now and the generations have moved up."

The reunions actually go back 29 years but they didn't find Vista Park until the fourth year when the parents of a sister-in-law told them about the spot.

"We had been looking for a place halfway between Washington, Oregon and California," Bielman said.

Other family members have traveled from as far as Utah or Minnesota, but not this year. No one came up from California either, but with their well established tradition, there is always next year.

This year the oldest attendee is Aunt Audrey, who at 73 isn't up for camping anymore and stays at the hotel. She comes every year, according to Bielman. The two youngest are Tanner and Christopher at six and nine months.

Bielman estimates that there are around 70 attendees every year. Three events are planned for the young ones. This year they made jewelry, painted t-shirts and rocks and are having their first white elephant. And every year they have a pinata.

"We love it," Bielman said. "We have witnessed a lot of changes at the park. The people are great. They are always really nice, always really friendly."

There is an explosion of delight and Bielman turns her head towards the noise.

"Oh! That's my cousin Don!" she exclaimed. "He hasn't been here in years."

And just like that, it's time for Bielman to turn her attention back to her family and to the matter of reunion.