It’s a yearly ritual most of us try to do.
A vacation.
To get away from the people, places, and things–that drive you crazy all year long.

This year I decided to embrace the crazy-makers, pack them into an SUV, and haul a big ole boat across the state.
Crazy, I know.
But the stars must’ve lined up just so, as the boys didn’t beat each other senseless AND the SUV decided to cooperate.

Both events were awe-inspiring and just short of miraculous.
To put it mildly.
The 3 boys learned the joys of standing on a pebbly beach, hunting for shells.

Of quiet moments on a cool, end of summer morning.

Of letting ‘er rip and roar wide open once the no-wake zone has been breached.

Of boating on a lake, with the hot sun beating down and the life jackets chafing, oh and lest I forget–life outside xbox and WiFi access.

They Β learned to conquer the fear of the unknown while tubing across the wake from the boat.

The fun to be had when taking a flying leap overboard and jumping into a cool lake.

And I found happiness.

And peace, believe it or not.
And coffee.


Yeah. It was a great vacation.
Va – ca – tion……….this is a concept i need explained to me. (its been almost 20 years since i had more than a three day weekend…the perils of being self employed.)
But it is wonderful to spend time outside (and outside of WiFi) with the duck. Glad to see you had a wonderful vacation.
Peace, quite and coffee……..three great things that go together.
Thanks Forrest π
I had a wonderful time.
Ya know…you really need to take one, it’ll do wonders for you. Just remember to shut the damn water off when you leave. Take this as gospel from both Mike and me π
Love it. Three boys and a big ole boat? You are my idol. π
Aw…thanks Kristi π
That works out well, as you happen to be one of mine.
Hey-hey, glad that everything went okay! Hopefully you recharged your battery enough to deal with life without the water-wings. However, I understand water-wings are still in the cards only not in a good way
(information gleaned from facebook)
How ironic that the very substance that allowed for such great pleasure (namely H2O) can also cause such grief. At least the vacation went well and your plumbing disaster can be considered “par for the course.”
Oddly enough my life has taken a somewhat parallel track to yours… after returning home after a fun-filled (if slower paced – trolling motors only) week on the lake, we stopped at the mailbox to collect up the bills and had a notice from the water company stating “we think you might have a leak…” Upon entering the house it was like, “man, this place is humid…” – looked into the basement and our water-heater had turned into a lovely fountain while we were away (luckily the sump pump was keeping pace.) So yeah, welcome home π
I am taking the occasion of your post to offer a public service message to anyone going on vacation: Shut off the water main and turn off the water heater (if electric) ‘cuz them puppies ain’t to be trusted!
Hey Mike π
Yeah, water wings would definitely have come in handy last evening. I was not a very happy girl. I may have even said some very bad words, but I’m pleading the 5th on that.
Sounds like we do have a few things in common. The love of lakes (the outdoor kind) and the hearty welcome home presents lol
So sorry to hear about your impromptu water fountain, trust me when I say this, I truly can empathize. I had my own, though it was from under the sink and more like a firehose, but still. π
And yes, I was completely relaxed and recharged until last night’s lake effect, but thankfully, the drama is over. So I can go back to my previously scheduled relaxed and recharged self.
And thank you, for your public service announcement. I hope you can prevent further senseless incidents of weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and of angry statements such as “Holy shinola, don’t this bite the big one!”
OR something like that.
π