With plans to head up to Alum Creek at 1030am, I made sure that I was up plenty early to do everything I normally do prior. I was out of bed and busy making coffee and exercising by 7am. It looked to be an ideal boating day with lots of sunshine and a steamy start. It was already in the mid 70's.
Frankie and I played outside for ten minutes or so before heading back inside for a little internet time. The kids were awake, apparent by the racket coming from Bella's room. To that point, at least, they weren't aware of my presence. It didn't take long, however. They soon put an end to the early morning silence I so cherish. They were busy going up down the stairs a number of times and had a million questions. I asked Rocky to lower his voice and encouraged Landon to walk softer. Neither suggestion took hold.
I took them in to Mindy just before leaving for my run. Bella, Rocky, and Landon were all snuggled into bed with Mindy when I left. I ran four miles, by far the easiest run of the week. My legs were finally getting back to normal.
I became aggravated during my run after considering how ill prepared we were for a day on the lake. Right or wrong, I blamed Mindy for most of it. From my perspective, we didn't have much in the way of food or drink for the kids. I was also worried that we wouldn't have enough life jackets for the four kids.
By the time I returned from my run, Mindy was up getting things ready. She had already whipped up sandwiches and had the beach towels ready. I took Frankie out again after learning that she hadn't yet been out for a second romp. To my knowledge, she hadn't taken a crap yet.
Our goal of leaving at 1030am came and went, but I don't think either of us were working that hard to make it happen. I was more concerned about having everything we'd need. I already planned to stop for ice, snacks, and possibly a couple new life jackets on our way up. We left the house around 11am.
This marked the first time we used the Honda Pilot to tow the boat. That alone was enough to cause worry - the unknown. But that went pretty well. And somewhat surprisingly, the Pilot seemed to tow the boat better than the Trooper, certainly a much smoother ride. I checked the life jacket inventory before pulling out of the boat storage lot. Seemed we had enough kiddie vests after all.
We stopped at Thornton's for ice and juice boxes. We stopped at Tim Horton's for donuts after Jacob complained of being hungry. Honestly, I wasn't too thrilled about that stop given that everybody had a chance to eat at home., and the fact that Jacob was being a pill. By 1115am we were on the road toward Alum Creek. We phoned my dad to let him know our intentions and asked if he wanted to join us. He didn't commit but I got a sense he would.
The drive up went smooth. The boat towed smoothly and the kids were much nicer after having some donuts. The Marina put-in was next to empty. I always appreciate that. No additional and/or unnecessary stress. We took our time getting the boat and kids water ready. By noon we were on the lake and on our way with little trouble.
We cruised the south end of the lake for 20 minutes before deciding to cross under the Cheshire Rd bridge to the north lake. I asked Mindy to check her phone first. Sure enough. We missed a call from Dad. He was waiting back at the marina. We headed back to pick him up. With dad now aboard, we made our way towards the boat swim area.
The lake was just as we prefer it, sparsely populated. Subsequently, the boat swim area had no more than three or four other boats spread out across its expanse. We anchored about halfway back with our lone anchor (I lost one to the bottom of lake last season). That meant we'd be pivoting in the light breeze. No biggie.
Unlike Jacob and Bella, Landon and Rocky were reluctant to jump in the lake. But then again, Rocky's boated with us only once before back when he was three years old. I doubt he evens remembers it. Landon, never. We slowly coaxed both into the water, and after about 10 minutes, both were having a really good time. Dad brought a colorful umbrella to protect himself from the sun. He under its shade in the bow of the boat. We must've stayed in the swim area for a good 2 hours swimming and having lunch.
A repeat of the past two boating seasons, both Jacob & Bella opted out of tubing. I expected it, but was still a little disappointed after both said they'd be tubing this year. Mindy agreed to tube out of the cove and out onto the open lake. We pulled her around for a while. She took a spill shortly after asking for a little back and forth across the wake.
We gave all the kids a couple more opportunities to tube, each met with a resounding no! I decided to head back under the Cheshire Rd bridge to the south lake. I thought we might enjoy some time at the beach, but the kids weren't interested in that either. But honestly, once I saw how many boats were anchored at the beach I wasn't too disappointed. I was, however, disappointed with the kids lack of adventure.
It was 4pm and it seemed everyone was done. We headed back for the dock. Dad agreed to take over the helm while I went for the Honda and trailer. Given it the popular time to leave, the wait was about 20 minutes. Of course it took another 30 minutes before we had the boat road ready. I like to have it clean and ready for the next time.
We were home by 5pm or so. Almost immediately, I headed out back to water our thirsty flowers while the kids took the dog out. I think Mindy went for a shower. She didn't seem in the most festive of moods, although good enough to invite my dad back for dinner, burgers on the grill. Landon helped me water the flowers. One of his favorite or most used lines these days is, "I wanna do it myself". In this case, he was referring to manning the hose.
Dad was back about 30 minutes later. He brought a box fan to help create a breeze on the steamy hot deck. Mindy did the grilling while I entertained the boys. Mindy growled at me a couple of times, but for what I can't readily recall. Just grouchy I guess. :) The gourmet burgers were delicious. Hit the spot. Dad soon departed for home and I took the boys home.
With plans to head up to Alum Creek at 1030am, I made sure that I was up plenty early to do everything I normally do prior. I was out of bed and busy making coffee and exercising by 7am. It looked to be an ideal boating day with lots of sunshine and a steamy start. It was already in the mid 70's.
Frankie and I played outside for ten minutes or so before heading back inside for a little internet time. The kids were awake, apparent by the racket coming from Bella's room. To that point, at least, they weren't aware of my presence. It didn't take long, however. They soon put an end to the early morning silence I so cherish. They were busy going up down the stairs a number of times and had a million questions. I asked Rocky to lower his voice and encouraged Landon to walk softer. Neither suggestion took hold.
I took them in to Mindy just before leaving for my run. Bella, Rocky, and Landon were all snuggled into bed with Mindy when I left. I ran four miles, by far the easiest run of the week. My legs were finally getting back to normal.
I became aggravated during my run after considering how ill prepared we were for a day on the lake. Right or wrong, I blamed Mindy for most of it. From my perspective, we didn't have much in the way of food or drink for the kids. I was also worried that we wouldn't have enough life jackets for the four kids.
By the time I returned from my run, Mindy was up getting things ready. She had already whipped up sandwiches and had the beach towels ready. I took Frankie out again after learning that she hadn't yet been out for a second romp. To my knowledge, she hadn't taken a crap yet.
Our goal of leaving at 1030am came and went, but I don't think either of us were working that hard to make it happen. I was more concerned about having everything we'd need. I already planned to stop for ice, snacks, and possibly a couple new life jackets on our way up. We left the house around 11am.
This marked the first time we used the Honda Pilot to tow the boat. That alone was enough to cause worry - the unknown. But that went pretty well. And somewhat surprisingly, the Pilot seemed to tow the boat better than the Trooper, certainly a much smoother ride. I checked the life jacket inventory before pulling out of the boat storage lot. Seemed we had enough kiddie vests after all.
We stopped at Thornton's for ice and juice boxes. We stopped at Tim Horton's for donuts after Jacob complained of being hungry. Honestly, I wasn't too thrilled about that stop given that everybody had a chance to eat at home., and the fact that Jacob was being a pill. By 1115am we were on the road toward Alum Creek. We phoned my dad to let him know our intentions and asked if he wanted to join us. He didn't commit but I got a sense he would.
The drive up went smooth. The boat towed smoothly and the kids were much nicer after having some donuts. The Marina put-in was next to empty. I always appreciate that. No additional and/or unnecessary stress. We took our time getting the boat and kids water ready. By noon we were on the lake and on our way with little trouble.
We cruised the south end of the lake for 20 minutes before deciding to cross under the Cheshire Rd bridge to the north lake. I asked Mindy to check her phone first. Sure enough. We missed a call from Dad. He was waiting back at the marina. We headed back to pick him up. With dad now aboard, we made our way towards the boat swim area.
The lake was just as we prefer it, sparsely populated. Subsequently, the boat swim area had no more than three or four other boats spread out across its expanse. We anchored about halfway back with our lone anchor (I lost one to the bottom of lake last season). That meant we'd be pivoting in the light breeze. No biggie.
Unlike Jacob and Bella, Landon and Rocky were reluctant to jump in the lake. But then again, Rocky's boated with us only once before back when he was three years old. I doubt he evens remembers it. Landon, never. We slowly coaxed both into the water, and after about 10 minutes, both were having a really good time. Dad brought a colorful umbrella to protect himself from the sun. He under its shade in the bow of the boat. We must've stayed in the swim area for a good 2 hours swimming and having lunch.
A repeat of the past two boating seasons, both Jacob & Bella opted out of tubing. I expected it, but was still a little disappointed after both said they'd be tubing this year. Mindy agreed to tube out of the cove and out onto the open lake. We pulled her around for a while. She took a spill shortly after asking for a little back and forth across the wake.
We gave all the kids a couple more opportunities to tube, each met with a resounding no! I decided to head back under the Cheshire Rd bridge to the south lake. I thought we might enjoy some time at the beach, but the kids weren't interested in that either. But honestly, once I saw how many boats were anchored at the beach I wasn't too disappointed. I was, however, disappointed with the kids lack of adventure.
It was 4pm and it seemed everyone was done. We headed back for the dock. Dad agreed to take over the helm while I went for the Honda and trailer. Given it the popular time to leave, the wait was about 20 minutes. Of course it took another 30 minutes before we had the boat road ready. I like to have it clean and ready for the next time.
We were home by 5pm or so. Almost immediately, I headed out back to water our thirsty flowers while the kids took the dog out. I think Mindy went for a shower. She didn't seem in the most festive of moods, although good enough to invite my dad back for dinner, burgers on the grill. Landon helped me water the flowers. One of his favorite or most used lines these days is, "I wanna do it myself". In this case, he was referring to manning the hose.
Dad was back about 30 minutes later. He brought a box fan to help create a breeze on the steamy hot deck. Mindy did the grilling while I entertained the boys. Mindy growled at me a couple of times, but for what I can't readily recall. Just grouchy I guess. :) The gourmet burgers were delicious. Hit the spot. Dad soon departed for home and I took the boys home.
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