What a memorable day! It will stand out in my memory and brighten up the pages of my Memoirs.Twenty-four members of three separate branches of the Red Hatter's Society joined forces to invade the secluded, magnificent, delightful grounds of Lake Toxaway today. Lake Toxaway is a private gated community in the Appalachian mountains of Southwestern North Carolina. It has much historical significance as the favorite summer playground of Henry Ford, Sr., Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and others of that ilk. In fact, Ford, Edison and Firestone made this their summer retreat (camping in tents on their first visit) long before there were roads, air strips, or other easy means of access to this spot. Through their efforts, as well as those of other socially elite of that era, a railroad was built to accomodate these visitors, a small river was dammed to create a large lake, and the area became the playground of the rich and powerful. A destructive series of rainstorms dropped so much water in a short seven day span of 1916 that the dam was broken,.Tthe floodwaters ravished the communities lying downhill of the lake, killing countless people in their path.This tragedy devestated that Lake Toxaway community and its enormous Inn, which had been created for the comfort of the wealthy visitors of the time. It was many years before the dam was rebuilt and the man-made lake resumed its previous proportions. The home of the wealthy Moltz family was restored and is now the world renowned Greystone four star Inn. But, let's get back to today and the saga of how two dozen Red Hatters invaded this sanctuary. I know this day will go down in my memory as one of the special times in my life. We gals, all retired residents of Connestee Falls, met at our swimming pool parking lot where we were then transported to Toxaway by generous friends who volunteered to drive us in their multi-seated vehicles. When I arrived at the parking lot, my heart and spirit were immediately lifted as I saw my friends dressed up in their finery: Big fancy red hats, purple dresses, red and purple shoes, bags, scarves, boas, and jewelry. What a fun group! How delightful that we still are enchanted with dressing up and just cutting loose to have a good time! Our particular driver, Faith Walters, had a new vehicle with only 138 miles on it when we left the parking lot. As my son drove me up to her car, mirth started bubbling within me, as I knew I was part of a group of gals that enjoy life and are fun to be with. We took the back roads on our trip, winding around and around mountain areas, and luxuriating in the sight of countless flowering trees and bushes. Even the weather cooperated; yesterday was a rainy blustery day, but today was full of sunshine and laughter. True it was a bit nippy, but we were dressed for the occasion amidst our Red Hatter attire and baubles and beads. You needn't think that retired women in 2005 are old fuddy-duddies! Nay, not so. In fact we are a lively, fun-loving group that congregate on a monthly basis to enjoy life. We entered the Lake Toxaway area through a gated manned security post, similar to ours at Connestee Falls.. A very polite, albeit slightly amused (as is every one who confronts our red-hatters en masse), proceeded to give us a long dissertation on how to reach the club house. Of course, being us, we were polite but paid absolutely no attention to the instructions, preferring to follow the well posted route signs. We gathered at the Greystone Inn, got a little guided tour of the rooms and facilities, treked our way down stone steps and flagstone covered walkways to the dock area. (The flagstones were obviously planned to accomodate more long-legged souls than I; because - try as I might - I had to insert an additional step between many of those stones. Besides, my new red shoes were determined to flop up and down at the heel and I was forced to toddle along as best I could with that handicap. We passed a couple little kayaks and canoes, which I laughlingly referred to as our accomodations for the lake ride. Of course, I knew that we would enjoy a large electric-motored boat, that not only was glass-enclosed, but also heated. And, large enough to hold all 24 of us, plus the attractive young driver! To top that off, we each received a champagne flute of bubbly to further lift our spirits. We even got refillls to provide a special happy hour. As we cruised around the edge of the lake, our pilot gave us a running commentary of the history of the area as well as pointing out the features of the imposing summer homes that lined the shores. Lots on the lake sell for a minimum of One Million Dollars today, so those who were in the process of building their vacation get-aways were also the owners of mucho bucks. The lake was a little choppy; I saw a tiny baby white cap here and there, but nothing to challenge the smooth ride of this lovely cruise boat. The wind was doing its best to slap along the side of the craft and occasionally did mysteriously open a part of the roof-top to the elements;, but, not to worry, we were safe as a creature inside a cocoon. It was a cruise to tuck back into the recesses of your memory, and trot out again and again in the future, to relive that experience with pleasure. Too soon, we docked back into the boathouse and crawled up the little steps on to the dock. Willing, helping hands were there to assist you if you faltered. However, I and my cohorts were determined to step as lively as possible. Then began the trek up a seemingly endless group of winding stone steps toward the inn and the dining room which was opened especially for our luncheons. Three large tables were set up in this sunny glassed-in porch on the lake to accomodate our two dozen fine-feathered hatters. Every thing was served in appetizing presentations - I tasted mine and declared it to be excellent. Turkey-rice soup, followed by large turkey sandwiches, potato salad and cold-slawl Now just listing these servings does not sound tremendously exciting; but what made them special was the way they were served and how appetizing they were. Even the large white napkins were starched to the nines. Our dessert was chocolate nut torte, surrounded by raspberries and blackberries - all esconced on a pattern of chocolate sauce. We chattered like magpies as we enjoyed the luncheon. It always amuses me to see the faces, of those who we encounter, light up with joy at the sight of this group of gals of a certain age. I am sure that the others feel, as I do, that we represent the lively spirit of the retirees of this day.At least, it represents the light heartedness of ladies who enjoy the company of a group that is determined to squeeze as much "joie to vivre" out of each day as possible. We drove back to our beloved Connestee, happy and bubbly - like the champagne we imbibed on our fun boat trip on a beautituf spring day in the mountains of North Carolina. Lorraine Miller