Alum Creek ( like an old friend)

I was up before 7am after an imperfect night’s sleep. I woke a few times through the night feeling like my throat was full of pollen. But having a rare day off in the middle of the week, I was not about to waste a minute of it. I eagerly sprang from the bed and hurried down the stairs to begin my daily routine. I started the coffee maker and then began my daily exercises. By 7:10 I was walking Ykraps in what appeared to have all the makings of an awesome day. It was clear, blue, and steamy. As soon as our walk was in the bag I headed back out to start up the sprinkler pump and the watering process. This morning’s focus would be the west front yard slope towards the water – an area that dries out before any other. I went in to enjoy some coffee before setting out on a run.

I changed into running attire at 7:45am and hit the trail after waking Mindy. It was a nice early morning run, especially if you like it steamy. I was back by 8:20am. Mindy and Bella were relaxing with coffee on the deck. I toweled off while we briefly discussed our immediate plans. Mindy made eggs while I brought the cooler in from the garage to prep for our trip. The cooler in question still held water from a party several weeks ago. I opened the deck door to dump it onto my hibiscus flowers when all of the sudden Ykraps weaseled his way out. He bolted to the back of the yard and into the brush. I calmly finished what I was doing before setting out after him with leash in hand. I swore I wouldn’t chase him, however.

By the time I made it down to the compost pile he had left the immediate area, but I was certain that he was nearby perhaps finding his way back into the woods where, on the rare occasions that he gets out, we always find him. But Bella and I went back to the house empty handed after a walk along the edge of woods past Mike & Teri’s. I could hear other dogs barking that are in fenced yards along the woods. I was sure that they were barking at Ykraps. Jacob was now up when we returned home, and after learning of Ykraps escape he began crying profusely. I set out once again only this time alone. I put on a t-shirt and bug spray to protect me from the ivy, bugs, and under brush. I went to the house where I heard the dogs barking and knocked on the door asking permission to cut through to the woods to find my dog. The neighbor allowed me access to the woods via her yard, which provides broad access to the surrounding woods and thick brush.

I wasn’t back there but two minutes until I stumbled upon Ykraps nosing around in the shoulder high grass along the edge of the woods. He looked my way but still didn’t come towards my call. I had to slowly make my way towards him. Now, within about 6 feet, he continued his curious quest about the area. I remember thinking how much of a shame it would be if I didn’t get a hold of him now. He was just so close. Finally, just seconds later, he stopped and allowed me to leash him. I think he was confused. We pretty much followed the same path out that I used to get in. Eventually we found our way back through the kind neighbor’s yard and onto our street. Everyone, especially Jacob, was thrilled to see me walk back in the door with Ykraps in tow. With the potential crisis avoided, I turned my attention to my itchy skin by taking a quick alcohol and cotton ball bath to remove any poison ivy oil. After that I took a shower. Next, we got on with the business of breakfast and prepping for our boating trip.

I continued watering right up until 9:45am. We loaded the Trooper with the day’s provisions and hit the road to Alum Creek at 10:06am.

We arrived at Alum Creek 32 minutes later. It’s a pretty fast drive around I-270 and up RT 23. And just as I had hoped & envisioned, the marina boat launch was barren and the lake calm and peaceful. We prepped the boat for launch without anyone else around. Folks – that never happens on a weekend! It wasn’t long before we had the boat in the water and we were pulling away from the dock. We had only one minor incident at the dock. Mindy reminded me how curt I can be with my dock side manners. She’s still in deck mate school. J

Soon we were underway. Jacob was eager to get tubing right away. After making our initial loop around the south lake we settled in by the camp beach where we prepped for tubing - Jacob first. But despite the calm waters, Jacob insisted on stopping after one very short ride. We had barely gone anywhere, but still he insisted that we stop. He said that I was going to fast. Oh boy! After a pep talk he tried again, but with the exact same results only this time he was crying to get out. Mindy was next. Bella decided that she wanted to tube also. She got in with her momma but lasted only a minute before crying to stop. Mindy decided to go it alone. She even let me throw her about a little. Bella didn’t like seeing her momma back there bouncing around.

After Mindy was out of the water we decided to high tail it up north to the boat swim cove – my personal favorite. What made it even better was that there were just a handful boats on the entire lake. Ten minutes later we were there. I hoped that we wouldn’t be sharing the cove with too many others. There was only one other boat anchored in the cove, and they were close to the entrance. My spot, much further back, was all clear. We no sooner threw in anchor and the kids were in the water playing. It was still before noon. We hung out in the cove for nearly three hours floating, swimming, and relaxing.

Around 3:30pm we exited the cove for the main lake pulling Jacob on the tube at idle speed and with a shortened rope. He decided to tube for real once we were on the open lake. This time he hung in there and battled his fear. He made it all the way to the camp ground dock where he begged out. Mindy chose to give it another go, only this time the kids were insistent on taking their momma over big waves where as before they were terrified for her safety. They got a big kick out of her ultimate demise on the choppy wake. After tubing Mindy asked if she could try skiing. We made the necessary changes in tow ropes and tossed the skis her way. Meanwhile, I stowed the tube in the bow area. After two failed attempts, Mindy finally got up and skied around the larger share of the north lake until her arms and legs gave out. She gave the cut signal close by the camp dock.

After her successful skiing, Jacob wanted to tube again. He asked that we take him over choppy waters. We obliged but with common sense. We asked that he lay across the tube for greater comfort in lieu of crouching in it. He responded well to the change and before we knew it, he was tubing like a young expert. We decided then that it was time to give him a taste of real tubing. We got him going over the wake side to side. But instead of fear he looked eager for more. He seemed to love skipping across the open water. However, the real test was when he was launched off the tub after hitting heavy wake. He passed! He was smiling big when he cleared. He gave us the OK signal and waved. We knew then that he was good with it. He asked to go again, so we went again. He was digging the tubing. We tubed until we needed to depart for home. We headed for the marina dock somewhere close to 4:30pm. Once again, there was no one waiting at the dock making it very easy to get out, which is often more difficult than putting in. It was scorching hot when we pulled out. It was sunny and 92 degrees. As we always do, we towel dried the boat to restore its luster, and then packed away all of the gear for next time. We dropped the boat at storage at 515pm and we were home by 525pm.

Mindy hustled to get the kids something to eat and dressed for Bible school. I set out to prime the sprinkler pump. I continued watering the strip of grass between the walk and street. Mindy wanted to go out for dinner while the kids were in school. I took a shower while she was gone and was ready by the time she returned. We went to El Vaquero. There was the usual packed lot and 5-10 minute wait. This place always packs ‘em in! Our food was really good. Mindy had a margarita. I had only water. We left the Vaq at about 7:40pm and headed directly for Crossroads to pick-up the kids. They were just finishing up when we arrived. As we pulled away for home we decided to detour by Kelly’s to see if Ash & Olivia were out. They were, but with Kelly too. We chatted with Kelly, Ash, and Lindsey only briefly. We hugged the grand kids a few times and then headed for home.

I had the sprinkler running the entire time we were gone. I moved it yet again before bagging it for the night. I talked with neighbor Carl for a few minutes all the while I watered. It was late. I tucked in the kids and readied for bed myself. My throat was still bothering me and I felt as though I might be getting a cold. It’s going around. I took some Delsym before going to bed.