Holy Crap – Frank is 80! I won’t lie – it gets more than a little weird when you actually know someone who turns 80 years old. How can that be?  Like my father before me, I am still only 39.

Along the Airstream road, we have met many incredible people.  Of course Frank isn’t one of them.  Kidding.  Frank is the captain of the team.  Well, maybe First Officer.  Reba is the captain of the team.

Reba organized a birthday weekend for Frank’s 80^th birthday this past weekend in LA (that’s Lower Alabama for you northerners).  There was a get-together at their home on Friday afternoon and then a birthday party at a local garage Saturday night.

You may or may not know Frank and Reba, but they are two of the nicest, funniest people we know.

We met them on our way, maybe 10-12 years ago, traveling down to Topsail State Park on the FL panhandle for an Airstream rally.  Coincidentally we had both pulled over at a rest stop on the way and met for the first time.

I thought to myself, who is that old coot pulling an Airstream with his child bride.  He probably thought, who was that annoying guy with the lovely wife.  It was just the seed for a remarkable friendship and camaraderie over the years.

We have seen Frank and Reba over the years at a number of Airstream related events, and they are always two of our favorite people.  Aside from physical age, Frank and Reba are the youngest and most fun couple we know.

Since we were going to be at this party for the weekend, those who camped stayed at Wind Creek State Park, and we were able to spend time getting together with friends we hadn’t seen in a while.  I presume the women talked about how great the men are, while the guys got together to express their innermost feelings.  Perhaps there may have been some car talk.

We were invited for a Friday afternoon get-together at Frank and Reba’s home.  When first invited we thought maybe we were going to the Ponderosa, but it turned out to be more like Tara – a beautiful home, right on Lake Martin.

When we arrived Reba greeted us and explained that we would be sitting out on the back lawn overlooking Lake Martin, the dock and beautiful views.  She explained that the shade at the moment would be on this side of the lawn, but as the afternoon progressed it would move to the other side of the lawn. When asked by one of the guests if we would be there that long, in Reba’s inimitable style she said, “God, I hope not!”  We love you Reba!

The party Saturday night was held at the Lake Martin Garage.  You’ve got to love that!

The party was a blast.  If you are wondering about what has kept Frank so young and youthful over the years, at least some of that can be ascribed to the Fountain of Youth elixir.

It was a great place to pick up chicks.

And meet up with friends.

The party continued, and as you might guess there was some line dancing to the tunes of a DJ.  Can anyone say Electric Slide?

If you know Frank, give him a shout out to wish him a happy (belated) birthday, and send your condolences to Reba for putting up with that old buzzard.

Thank you Frank and Reba for sharing your lives with us.

And again, happy birthday Frank!