Week at the Club on the Lake

Two weeks ago we had our second annual week at the cottage. Just like last year, we stayed with another family. Just like last year we had a really nice time. Oh, there were lots of reasons not to have a good time: four days of 60-degree weather and thunderstorms; I was sick for three of the days with severe allergies. (Long story on the allergy front, but I had an ear infection, sinus infection, and a throat infection from allergies. AND I "grew into" allergy-induced-athsma! Total bummer! But, we won't focus on that.)

As my friend says, any day on the lake is a good day.

Since our weather in June is unpredictable, I packed lots of indoor activities to play. The boys and I also loaded up on library books before leaving. I also got little toys to hide in the sand so that even if it was too cold to go in the water, they'd have fun in the sand. Of course, any weather (except thunderstorms) is good sailing weather. And, almost any weather is good fishing weather. So, all in all, it was a good vacation. Here it is in pictures.

T had a blast using his new snorkel and goggles. I threw three dollars worth of coins into the shallow part of the lake and he spent HOURS looking for the coins. I think that he collected about $1.60 worth. Not bad for hours of fun.

M had a blast with the newest addition to our fleet -- a little Sunfish. While he was zipping around the lake with high winds, I could hear him yell "yahooo" from across the lake.

The boys are trying to get the baby dinosaur out of the "dinosaur eggs." This kept them busy for awhile and then they made houses in the sand for their dinosaurs.

M took T for a ride on the Sunfish. This is a sailboat that T actually likes to go on. He likes to capsize on purpose and then right it (with his dad's help.)

T also loved taking the kayak out for a spin. He said it was lonely sometimes when nobody went with him, but he'd go anyway if he couldn't talk someone else into going also.

The whole family fits on "Sabotage," the boat that M and R race on Sundays. Can you tell that I'm driving? (But, I'm obviously not paying too much attention to driving since I'm waving to someone!)

Fishing was an everyday activity on this vacation. We got a lot of pan fish that we caught and released. One keeper, a huge Rock Bass, was one that we ate because T loves to eat fish and couldn't believe that we weren't eating all of the 24 fish that he caught. He was quite pleased with the Bass nuggets that I prepared as a shore lunch one day. Here is R fishing off the stern of our friends speed boat (anchored for this occasion.)

I love this one of T checking his hook. I don't know if you can tell, but he has his life vest under his sweatshirt -- he looked like the Incredible Hulk.

The boys really wanted to catch Walleye - a tasty fish in this region -- but they only bite at night. They woke up really early(5 am) and went out to give it a try. They even used live minnows as bait. They didn't catch any walleye, but this was the trip that they got the keeper bass that we ate. They used our fishing canoe to get to the deep hole (50 feet deep) in the lake.


Here's the keeper in the live well. Hard to see it, I know.


The proud fishermen, facing the sun with closed eyes. But, very proud of their early morning outing.

I tried to go back to sleep after I saw the boys off, but I couldn't. So I crept back downstairs in my pjs and took these lovely sunrise pictures. Then I made a cup of tea and sat outside watching the sunrise, waiting for my men to bring home breakfast.

At the end of the week, we packed up and went home. It was a fun week at the lake....and it was nice to return home.