<table width="700"> <tr> <td> <img src=""> Class of 1965
A Long Journey Home
The 50th Reunion
Labor Day Weekend—September 5-6, 2015 (Saturday and Sunday)



                         


It has been a long time coming. It seems not so long ago we were dragging Polk Street, swinging into Twings for a burger and fries, and dreaming of the future that lay ahead of us. Today we have traveled fifty years of that journey. Along the way, we have experienced great joy as we watched our families grow, and suffered pain at the loss of our classmates, parents, and other families members. We have watched the cycle of life play out befor our very eyes. And today we are enjoying the fruits of our labors as we watch a new generation of children and grandchildren growing up to begin their own journey. And we are here to watch it unfold.

Here are just some of the plans, highlights, and memories of the weekend. Enjoy the long journey home.

As the sun was setting in the canyons beyond, we gathered together for a group picture. This snapshot marks 45 years years of friendship and shared history.



To download this high resolution photograph, right click on the image and select "Save Image As."

Schedule of Festivities

Arrival Saturday Evening, September 5th

OUR festivities began on Saturday, September 5th, 2015 with registration at the beautiful Wydham Suites Hotel (formerly the Ambassador) atrium -3100 I 40 West. Some arrived on Friday and gathered in an informal get together Friday evening. This was a fun time to greet each other, enjoy some snack, the cash bar.
  • Early Bird Dinner at Blue Sky, Friday Night, September 4th
  • Reunion Registration and Reception, Saturday Night, September 5th
  • Wydham Suites Hotel (formerly the Ambassador) Atrium (3100 I-40 West)
  • Fellowship
  • Great Snacks and Finger Food
  • Cash Bar
  • Registration at 3:30 pm
  • Reception 4:00-7:00 pm
  • Dinner on your own
  • Jam Session with Billy Stull and the Boys at Skooterz, 6th and Western (Early and late show ~ oldies and new music ~ more details at sign in during registration)
Photograph Albums:
Sunday Morning, September 6th

WE began our day with a hugh breakfast buffet at Youngbloods Stockyards Cafe. The reunion schedule gave us time to gather to visit, worship, and then explore Amarillo as we looked for the 1965 Amarillo we remember. Here are some of the activities that we did during the day before we traveled to to the River Breaks Ranch for the evening's festivities.

  • Sign in for Breakfast Buffet at Youngbloods Stockyards Cafe at 8;30 am
  • Breakfast Buffet began at Younbloods Stockyards Cafe at 9:00 am
  • Immediately following breakfast, many of us made another drive down Polk Street enroute to Palo Duro High School for a tour of the school
  • Many of us attended church services on your own
  • Lunch on Your Own
  • Small Group Get-Togethers in Homes and Other Venues
  • Amarillo Tours on Your Own or Small Groups
  • Sign in at River Breaks Ranch at 4:30 pm
  • Program and Dinner at River Breaks Ranch 5:00-10:30 pm
Photograph Albums:
Sunday Evening at the River Breaks Ranch, September 6th

We were in for a treat as we returned (we were there in 2010) to the RIVER BREAKS RANCH for Sunday night. A REAL FUN FILLED evening was had by all of us as we got a taste of real cowboy life. The setting was BEAUTIFUL and the Ranch is top notch (see our group picture above and the various photograph albums below. As always, the food was awesome with a STEAK DINNER with all the trimmins. A summer night at the River Breaks Ranch made all of us feel at home as we enjoyed the company of classmates one more time.

As the sun set on The Best Class Alive on Sunday evening on September 6, 2015, we celebrated our years at Palo Duro and the fifty years since we graduated.
  • River Breaks Ranch, a Taste of Real Cowboy Life--Sunday Evening, September 6th
  • Beautiful Western Ranch Setting
  • Steak Dinner with all the Trimmings
  • A Summer Night at the River Breaks Ranch
  • Silent Auction
  • Many Special Activities
  • Screening of "Long Journey Home," a new documentary film about the Class of 1965 with a copy for each of us to take home (a 3-DVD set including the new 2015 film and the 2005 & 2010 documentaries)
  • Sign in at River Breaks Ranch at 4:30 pm
  • Program and Dinner at River Breaks Ranch 5:00-10:30 pm
Photograph Albums: Sample Video Clips from the 2015 Film, Long Journey Home: If you would like to see a copy of the editing script for Long Journey Home, click here.
These clips are just a portion of Long Journey Home, the 50th Reunion documentary film about us, the Class of 1965, and the world in which we lived during our final year at Palo Duro. Those classmates who did not attend and did not receive the three-DVD set of documentaries for 2005, 2010, and 2015 can receive a complimentary set. Just email Vernon Williams at [email protected].
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