Sister Days

Judy and Gary invited Judy's sisters and their families to the lake cottage for Labor Day weekend. Always gracious, they fed us and provided options to relax or play on the water.

Going out for small plates and large desserts was yummy. Saunders Hot Fudge revived childhood memories of a Detroit area treat.

To offset some of the desserts, we did go walking in an area park and found some random bits of culture. Gaylord has put replica artwork from the Detroit Institute of Arts in several places around town. This one is by Charles Harry Eaton, a Michigan artist who lived from 1850-1901.

Everyone gathers on the deck to watch the sun color the evening sky.

Interesting neighbors have woodcarving talent.

A unique fence has different birds on each post.

Beth finally talked Judy into going out on the kayak... and they had fun, although Judy did not want the sail out. She was worried about feeling tippy.

Cousins Mike and Martha dropped in on Sunday. Martha is a natural sailor.

Lou kept watch from the deck.

Gaylord provides plenty of good restaurants and a few even have fudge and ice cream.

David let down his guard a little and let Mom and Dad capture some photos.

It took a day or two of trying, moving him closer and closer to the "yellow boat" or "frog boat"(we called it that after finding frogs like to sleep under the hull on the beach, and we would usually find 3-5 of them every time we moved the boat back into the water) before Beth was successful in luring David onto the boat. She did have to bribe him with kettle corn, that she called boat snacks, that could only be had if he was on the boat. After going out on the sailboat with his dad, David received a new Sailor Monkey shirt from Aunt Beth. It has a cute monkey in a boat on the front, and a small stuffed monkey that goes in the pocket.

Mornings were quiet and sometimes surreal tempting me to walk off the dock into the clouds.

Evening pontoon boat rides are now a tradition requiring two loops of Lake Manuka.

Captain Gary gives great lake tours on the m/v Blue Light Special.

Thanks to everyone for a special long weekend.