The Progressive McKeever Beaver Outing

 Once upon a time some McKeevers and a group of their friends went out to the annual Angle Progressive Dinner.  A 5 course meal served at 5 different resorts, starting at 3:00pm in Jerry's Lounge for appetizers.  Yours truly and her husband went by snowmobile because the weather could not be better and she hasn't even sat on a snowmobile since living here.  She donned a shiny new black helmet courtesy of Big Al and some short snow-bibs that resembled capri pants because they belong to her petite mother-in-law.

 At stop #2 the party of 19 (give or take) found themselves at Flag Island Resort for some chicken and wild rice soup.  They arrived at each stop on the hour and a drawing was held at 20 minutes after the hour for great prizes donated by the hosting resort.

 This handsome couple was happy to be out of the house, together for once, and on a big date.  A Windsor and Diet never hurt to improve the mood either.  And knowing this, they had a few.

 Stop #3 brought the buzzing group to Sunset Lodge for salads.  Caesars and romaine abound with some lovely bread.  One loaf managed to make its way into the purse of someone in this photo. A rebel with no fear or gluten allergies.

 Our main character happened upon this adorable beaver as she traipsed out of the bathroom.  She fell in love and had to take its picture.  Once back at her table, she shared her photo and love for the fuzzy little thing and the theme for the night was set.  Dirty jokes and planning galore would come to play from this beaver.

 Stop #4 at Angle Inn Lodge brought another round of drinks, a pork chop per person and a dancing Jenny-in-law.  Our main character was another Windsor Diet in and won a bottle of Moscato in the door prize drawing.  She shared a table with her husband and father-in-law, feeling a little left out that she was the only one at the table not named Richard, but enjoying herself none the less.  There was also a contest in which each table had pictures of different candies and had to name what they were.  Another table filled with McKeevers and friends won this contest and took home a box of chocolate covered blueberries and the pride that comes with winning such an event.

 The final course of the night was hosted by Sportman's Lodge and was a choice of lemon cake or raspberry granola something or other.  Nikki, Bonny and Mike enjoyed their dessert and company as the evening got later and more silly.

 The birthday girl!  Nikki celebrated her special day at the dinner and they all bought her a liquid gift.

 Here is something you only hear about  in such a fairytale as this, a drink token.  If someone buys a round of drinks and you already have a full one, you get a token and use it to buy your free drink later.  Some natives of the Angle were surprised to hear that other Washington natives had not heard of this before.

 The happy couple as they rounded Soldier's point.  The temperature was nearly perfect and hardly a wind was blowing.

 Big Bad Brian won an adorable set of heart bowls for his door prize.  He squealed with delight.

 He was so excited, he immediately poured his beer in the small bowl and drank it down.  He later wiped fish guts on his sister-in-law's cheek, that came off the sweatshirt of a man just in from his fish house.  As she shouted at him to get her a drink STAT as his punishment for such a dastardly thing, she was unaware of how this one request would shape the night.  For she was outsmarted by this member of her very own family as he ordered the strongest drink in the land and brought it back to her.  From this point on, the night would become a little more hazy and her speech would be a little more repetitive.

 Meanwhile, John was winning this fine red beer cooler which can be worn over the shoulder like a purse.

 By the end of the dessert course, the birthday girl requested a return trip to Sunset Lodge for a drink.  And they all said, "As you wish."  When they arrived at Sunset Lodge, yours truly was overcome by the severe need to return to the table of the Beaver.  She knew she must have it.  She expressed these thoughts to her friends and discussions started of just how to get that fuzzy thing home. She knew it would take some planning and stealthy moves, reminiscent of "The Italian Job."  Just when she thought someone (Sara) would have to go to drastic measures and flash the bartender so the Beaver could be smuggled out, she was tipped off that one of the owners was sitting at the bar having some drinks of his own.  With liquid courage surging through her veins, Yours Truly bellied up to the bar, and it's partial owner, and started what would later come to be known as The Great Beaver Negotiation of 2013.

 And, dear blog friends, she came away with that beaver.  That man was not able to stand his ground and Yours Truly became the proud owner of her coveted stuffed friend. (He stated it could be on loan but we'll see about that won't we?)  Even her husband didn't think it could be done.  Oh the lack of faith!  He of all people should have remembered her powers of persuasion!

The happy couple who would live happily ever after.  The proud owner of the McKeever Beaver and her precious cargo were separated that night as she could not fit him on her snowmobile, nor would she risk his safety in such a way.  He had no helmet after all.  Trusted friends took the McKeever Beaver to Jerry's as Yours Truly ended up going home to check on her children and the sweet babysitters who were with them.  But the legend goes that the McKeever Beaver became famous that night and many stood in line at Jerry's to have their picture taken with him.  So you see, when you drink enough and know the right people, dreams really can come true. The End.

*No beavers were harmed in the making of this story.

*The beaver now remains in an undisclosed location for his own safety and because Yours Truly does not want to give him back.