Some serious looking fellows (above)
Monika(above) Thad (below)
Bob & Mary Ann
The lamp from the Christmas Story
Mindy at the party
A bunny at Alum Creek
I woke around 6:30am and immediately dropped and began pounding out 50 push-ups on the pavement of our campsite. Once again, through the night I heard the raccoons rumbling through our gear. This time, however, there was nothing of interest to them, at least anything they could access. Our primary food cooler was in the Trooper and the dry food storage container was in our tent. And while they opened the beer cooler the night before, they couldn’t get in this time because of the brick I had placed on the snap down lid. You could see the paw prints on the boat cooler which contained mostly drinks, but I had wedged a fire log between the lid and picnic table bench preventing anything from ever opening it up.
I started some coffee then grabbed my tools and headed for the boat. I was determined to meet my fate head on. Would I be rowing to the dock or enjoying the final day of our camp trip basking once again in the sun on the lake? Realistically, I have had this same problem with the boat for years – even before selling it to Tommy. He had it too. And despite having the battery, belts, alternator, and starter replaced, it still has this intermittent problem turning over at times. I tried to start it but netted the same results as last night. All I could get was the click of the solenoid. The charge on the battery was strong so I knew it wasn’t a battery issue. I proceeded to remover the dog house from around the engine revealing as best I could the starter. Just like with my first car, I tapped the starter a few times with my hammer, turned the key, and the engine turned over and eventually started. I quickly replaced the doghouse and battened down the hatches. Once everything was squared away, I pulled out of the cove into the main lake and misty morning air. I took a short ride around the camp ground area then cruised back into the cove. I was comforted by the fact that it started but still a little concerned about the possibility of being far from the dock and not being able to get it started. I went back to camp happy and made myself a cup of coffee. I made Mindy one too even though she was still sleeping. She joined me shortly after.
After relaxing a little with my guitar and a couple cups of coffee, I shared with Mindy that I had been down working on the boat and got it started. She had no idea. She eventually went to the restroom while I stayed back and toyed around camp. When she got back I readied for another camp grounds run. I took the same route I had taken the day before but took in a few more of the cul-de-sacs on the north side of the grounds. I saw a campsite that had actually had a washer and dryer under their dining canopy, and then I saw another with their own portable outhouse. The outhouse looked similar to a tent. I took a short cut back to our site via a path close to the lake. I happened upon Mindy sitting at the beach watching the morning sun rise.
When we got back to our camp site we saw a doe and three small fawns down by our boat enjoying some immature apples that have already fallen from their once lofty perch. They were beautiful! They checked us out as much as we checked out them. We decided to take a morning boat ride before moving forward with our days plans, which at the time were still up in the air. We cruised the main lake in what was an absolutely beautiful ride. There were probably three other boats on the entire southern half of the lake. The beach sat completely empty save for a couple of people swimming laps from a boat anchored nearby. It was spectacular.
After our ride we made out way back to camp where we put our day’s plan into action. We decided to pack everything up before going boating for the day. Once we were all loaded up, we thought, Mindy would drive the Trooper over to the boat dock where I’d pick her up in the boat. The trick was getting _all_ of our gear in the Trooper except for the boat cooler and tube. We had carried a considerable amount of our gear in the boat on the trip up. But we planned carefully and consolidated enough gear that we were able to make room for everything in the Trooper without too much trouble. By the time we had completely tore down camp and loaded all of our gear, it was approaching noon.
Mindy left with the Trooper and I left in the boat. I made my way to the camp dock without incident. Just as I was pulling up, Mindy was walking down the dock. Great timing! She boarded the boat and we were off. We wasted little time and went straight for the swim cove. Again, there was only one other boat back there when we arrived. We worked our way to the very back as always. We dropped anchor and began swimming almost immediately. Mindy took the new raft, and I took the tube. I fell asleep on the water, and according to Mindy, began snoring. I know that I felt really comfy out there.
2:30pm came around quickly. I asked Mindy how she felt about leaving since calculating backwards would have us home no sooner than about 4:00pm. After thinking it through, we decided to head out. We headed south and pulled up to the camp dock. I jumped out while Mindy held the boat securely. There were no other boaters needing in or out. I reattached the trailer and then pulled the boat out of lake. We spent a few minutes securing the cover and the accessories and finally headed for home. We had just spent almost 45 hours at the lake and had a really nice time and decent weather. We felt blessed.
We took Cheshire rd to RT. 23 since I wanted to see all the new development going on around the area. It’s hardly recognizable. There’s just so much growth in the area. No longer are there large expanses of land on the trip up. It’s developed all the way up and around the lake. We drove straight home since we had gear in the boat needing to be stowed at home (tube, boat cooler, etc.). Plus, I thought that I might wash the boat. One thing about boating and camping – the boat gets dirty really fast. We were both tired when we got home. We wasted little time, however, and began carrying everything in. Mindy began unloading the food and drink coolers while I carried everything else in to the garage. Honestly, I thought that she was in napping or something. I was dripping with sweat from head to toe from lugging everything else into the garage. It hardly seems worth all the effort to pack and unpack all that gear for two quick nights. We packed a lot of shit! But when you want convenience that equates to lots of gear.
Lindsey called once we were home and asked if she could stop by for a few. I gave her $30 to take lil’ Rocky out for his birthday. We also nailed down plans for having his official birthday party on Sunday early afternoon. We would be giving him a cool little party complete with all the fixins! After Lindsey left we finished putting everything else away. I watered all the backyard flowers sine they were already showing signs of stress even though we had had heavy rain earlier in the week. We had a busy night planned so there was little time to rest. We were invited to Monika’s 42nd birthday party and still needed to pick-up her gift and stop at Barley’s. But before doing any of that we had to drop the boat at the storage facility. By the time were showered and ready to go it was after 7pm. We dropped the boat then headed to Gentile’s in Grandview. Monika has a strong appreciation for good beer so we picked her up a couple of six packs – six Belle’s Expedition Stout and six Three Floyd’s Pale Ale. While there, I found a new Wild Raspberry Ale to try. While they don’t carry my favorite, I’ve never tried this one. There are many raspberry beers but few are ales, which is what I like. This one is made in Denver at the “Great Divide” brewery. Next stop – Barley’s.
At Barley’s I thought we were only stopping to fill a jug but Mindy wanted food. We ordered dinner and a drink. Courtney and Jeremy were there as was Josh, and soon Rick. Missing were Bob & Mary Ann. I gave Bob a call on his cell where he indicated that he was on his way to Monika’s party. We talked him into stopping by Barley’s even though he had already been in once to fill his jugs. We tried to wrestle up others to head to Monika’s. Josh was a maybe later, and Courtney and Jeremy were a no-go.
Off we went. We arrived at Monika’s around 9:00pm. The party was attended by a well behaved group and there was an incredible amount and variety of beer. The hit of the evening was a half & half mixture of the raspberry wheat on tap and Siberian Imperial Stout. It was very good! Monika whipped up and butt load of hors d'oeuvres and they were delicious. Through the might we toured the home and viewed Thad’s art collection (he’s an art teacher for Hilliard Davidson High School).
We hung at the party until close to midnight – not really certain what time we left. Mindy drove home because she drank very little throughout the evening. We crashed almost immediately after arriving home. We had a long busy day and the next would be equally busy.
Some serious looking fellows (above)
Monika(above) Thad (below)
Bob & Mary Ann
The lamp from the Christmas Story
Mindy at the party
A bunny at Alum Creek
I woke around 6:30am and immediately dropped and began pounding out 50 push-ups on the pavement of our campsite. Once again, through the night I heard the raccoons rumbling through our gear. This time, however, there was nothing of interest to them, at least anything they could access. Our primary food cooler was in the Trooper and the dry food storage container was in our tent. And while they opened the beer cooler the night before, they couldn’t get in this time because of the brick I had placed on the snap down lid. You could see the paw prints on the boat cooler which contained mostly drinks, but I had wedged a fire log between the lid and picnic table bench preventing anything from ever opening it up.
I started some coffee then grabbed my tools and headed for the boat. I was determined to meet my fate head on. Would I be rowing to the dock or enjoying the final day of our camp trip basking once again in the sun on the lake? Realistically, I have had this same problem with the boat for years – even before selling it to Tommy. He had it too. And despite having the battery, belts, alternator, and starter replaced, it still has this intermittent problem turning over at times. I tried to start it but netted the same results as last night. All I could get was the click of the solenoid. The charge on the battery was strong so I knew it wasn’t a battery issue. I proceeded to remover the dog house from around the engine revealing as best I could the starter. Just like with my first car, I tapped the starter a few times with my hammer, turned the key, and the engine turned over and eventually started. I quickly replaced the doghouse and battened down the hatches. Once everything was squared away, I pulled out of the cove into the main lake and misty morning air. I took a short ride around the camp ground area then cruised back into the cove. I was comforted by the fact that it started but still a little concerned about the possibility of being far from the dock and not being able to get it started. I went back to camp happy and made myself a cup of coffee. I made Mindy one too even though she was still sleeping. She joined me shortly after.
After relaxing a little with my guitar and a couple cups of coffee, I shared with Mindy that I had been down working on the boat and got it started. She had no idea. She eventually went to the restroom while I stayed back and toyed around camp. When she got back I readied for another camp grounds run. I took the same route I had taken the day before but took in a few more of the cul-de-sacs on the north side of the grounds. I saw a campsite that had actually had a washer and dryer under their dining canopy, and then I saw another with their own portable outhouse. The outhouse looked similar to a tent. I took a short cut back to our site via a path close to the lake. I happened upon Mindy sitting at the beach watching the morning sun rise.
When we got back to our camp site we saw a doe and three small fawns down by our boat enjoying some immature apples that have already fallen from their once lofty perch. They were beautiful! They checked us out as much as we checked out them. We decided to take a morning boat ride before moving forward with our days plans, which at the time were still up in the air. We cruised the main lake in what was an absolutely beautiful ride. There were probably three other boats on the entire southern half of the lake. The beach sat completely empty save for a couple of people swimming laps from a boat anchored nearby. It was spectacular.
After our ride we made out way back to camp where we put our day’s plan into action. We decided to pack everything up before going boating for the day. Once we were all loaded up, we thought, Mindy would drive the Trooper over to the boat dock where I’d pick her up in the boat. The trick was getting _all_ of our gear in the Trooper except for the boat cooler and tube. We had carried a considerable amount of our gear in the boat on the trip up. But we planned carefully and consolidated enough gear that we were able to make room for everything in the Trooper without too much trouble. By the time we had completely tore down camp and loaded all of our gear, it was approaching noon.
Mindy left with the Trooper and I left in the boat. I made my way to the camp dock without incident. Just as I was pulling up, Mindy was walking down the dock. Great timing! She boarded the boat and we were off. We wasted little time and went straight for the swim cove. Again, there was only one other boat back there when we arrived. We worked our way to the very back as always. We dropped anchor and began swimming almost immediately. Mindy took the new raft, and I took the tube. I fell asleep on the water, and according to Mindy, began snoring. I know that I felt really comfy out there.
2:30pm came around quickly. I asked Mindy how she felt about leaving since calculating backwards would have us home no sooner than about 4:00pm. After thinking it through, we decided to head out. We headed south and pulled up to the camp dock. I jumped out while Mindy held the boat securely. There were no other boaters needing in or out. I reattached the trailer and then pulled the boat out of lake. We spent a few minutes securing the cover and the accessories and finally headed for home. We had just spent almost 45 hours at the lake and had a really nice time and decent weather. We felt blessed.
We took Cheshire rd to RT. 23 since I wanted to see all the new development going on around the area. It’s hardly recognizable. There’s just so much growth in the area. No longer are there large expanses of land on the trip up. It’s developed all the way up and around the lake. We drove straight home since we had gear in the boat needing to be stowed at home (tube, boat cooler, etc.). Plus, I thought that I might wash the boat. One thing about boating and camping – the boat gets dirty really fast. We were both tired when we got home. We wasted little time, however, and began carrying everything in. Mindy began unloading the food and drink coolers while I carried everything else in to the garage. Honestly, I thought that she was in napping or something. I was dripping with sweat from head to toe from lugging everything else into the garage. It hardly seems worth all the effort to pack and unpack all that gear for two quick nights. We packed a lot of shit! But when you want convenience that equates to lots of gear.
Lindsey called once we were home and asked if she could stop by for a few. I gave her $30 to take lil’ Rocky out for his birthday. We also nailed down plans for having his official birthday party on Sunday early afternoon. We would be giving him a cool little party complete with all the fixins! After Lindsey left we finished putting everything else away. I watered all the backyard flowers sine they were already showing signs of stress even though we had had heavy rain earlier in the week. We had a busy night planned so there was little time to rest. We were invited to Monika’s 42nd birthday party and still needed to pick-up her gift and stop at Barley’s. But before doing any of that we had to drop the boat at the storage facility. By the time were showered and ready to go it was after 7pm. We dropped the boat then headed to Gentile’s in Grandview. Monika has a strong appreciation for good beer so we picked her up a couple of six packs – six Belle’s Expedition Stout and six Three Floyd’s Pale Ale. While there, I found a new Wild Raspberry Ale to try. While they don’t carry my favorite, I’ve never tried this one. There are many raspberry beers but few are ales, which is what I like. This one is made in Denver at the “Great Divide” brewery. Next stop – Barley’s.
At Barley’s I thought we were only stopping to fill a jug but Mindy wanted food. We ordered dinner and a drink. Courtney and Jeremy were there as was Josh, and soon Rick. Missing were Bob & Mary Ann. I gave Bob a call on his cell where he indicated that he was on his way to Monika’s party. We talked him into stopping by Barley’s even though he had already been in once to fill his jugs. We tried to wrestle up others to head to Monika’s. Josh was a maybe later, and Courtney and Jeremy were a no-go.
Off we went. We arrived at Monika’s around 9:00pm. The party was attended by a well behaved group and there was an incredible amount and variety of beer. The hit of the evening was a half & half mixture of the raspberry wheat on tap and Siberian Imperial Stout. It was very good! Monika whipped up and butt load of hors d'oeuvres and they were delicious. Through the might we toured the home and viewed Thad’s art collection (he’s an art teacher for Hilliard Davidson High School).
We hung at the party until close to midnight – not really certain what time we left. Mindy drove home because she drank very little throughout the evening. We crashed almost immediately after arriving home. We had a long busy day and the next would be equally busy.
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