Spring Lake

6/9/17 I write some of my best blogs when I am away from home, outside, without distractions. Today I am sitting outdoors in front of my cozy little Spring Lake cabin. Ever since I discovered the cute little lake, less than 20 minutes from our home, I have returned year after year. It is like a secret little lake hidden back in the trees with so many fun things to enjoy. I have a peacefulness with the chirping of birds, the croaking of frogs, and the tree leaves softly moving. The sun is shinning down, their is shade from so many trees, and fluffy white clouds fill a bright blue sky. I love the outdoors. It makes you aware of God’s amazing creation all around you. This beauty, these living creatures and plants, these are all given to us by God to enjoy and to make us happy. I can sit here and take it all in. Jayden teases me and says I like to watch the trees grow. It clears your mind, it energizes you and yet relaxes you. The world is filled with artificial entertainment and distractions, television, phones, computers, electronics, media, blah blah blah.  Nothing about them create any kind of peace or relaxation. Quite the opposite, electronics create stress, anxiousness, and fill your mind with nonsense. Sometimes you just need to unplug and look around you and see all there is that you are missing out on. I was up and took a walk at 8AM and found that most everyone camping was still sleeping.  At a campground it doesnt really come to life until 10AM. Most campers have air conditioners, televisions and electronics. The real enjoyment and entertainment is right out their window, the lake, the fish that jump out of the water, the birds flying, the bugs walking on water, the sun shimmering over the lake, the sounds, and  the smells. I love to ride a bike around a campground and let my senses take it all in. This is what God intended for us to enjoy. I hope to instill this into my children.

6/10/17  I made my cabin reservations in the winter and pick an available weekend and hope for the best. Its always busy and it never seems to be the ideal time. Mark had been busy spraying fence lines and getting materials ready to build a horse pen. Jayden had her ACT test on Saturday early morning. This weekend was Auntie Alice’s birthday so I thought we could celebrate one of the nights with her. My parents and families had other plans. It also happened to be the hottest weekend forecasted. 

Thursday evening was Mark and I’s night at the cabin. I loaded the Tahoe and stuffed everything in top to bottom. It was good I was going alone because nobody would fit. I set up my cabin and met the neighbors in the cabin next door. They were very loud and partying. They insisted I come have a drink with them and their girls weekend outing. They were a fun and wild bunch, all about having a good time and prepared us it would get loud and crazy. So much for a quiet and relaxing evening. After I unloaded all our stuff and got the cabin all cozy, Mark came. He has never been a fan of camping and he usually rolls his eyes when i tell him I rented the cabins again this year. It is not his thing, but I talked him into enjoying one night.  I grilled a big steak over the fire. We took a walk around the lake and then built a fire and sat until late. It wasn’t a quiet campfire but the weather was amazing. All evening it was a slight breeze and prefect temperature. I think getting away from home and being someplace like this recharges my mental refresher. 
Friday morning Mark was up and gone bright and early for a doctor appointment. The kids came out to the campground around 10:30. They were excited to start the day fishing. Luke had prepared the fishing poles at home a couple days before. He knew how to fix his fishing line, add lures and weights. He even knew how to make a fishing knot. I was pretty impressed with all that he learned from his Grandpa Wahlert. Fishing didn't go to well, not one bite. Luke didn't mind, I think he enjoys casting and reeling in. He likes to see how far out he can cast his hook. He had a couple mishaps, once the top half of his fishing pole went flying in the water. Another time when he went to cast, his lure fell off the line. So maybe he missed a step on his knot. I got the grill going for lunch with charcoal and made chicken packs. I take foil pans and add butter, carrots, potatoes, and chicken. They took about an  hour, but were sure tasty. The boys had their bicycles so were riding all over the campground every chance they got. We spent the afternoon in the sun on the beach. It was hot and super windy. We had floaty chairs and spent a lot of time in the water. I liked just sitting and floating on the floaty chairs. We got a mid afternoon snack of ice cream. The lake is known for their amazing ice cream they serve and one dip is considered 3 scoops. I ordered amaretto cherry and chocolate and it was awesome, by far the best ice cream I have ever had!!  In the evening I got the grill going again and Mark joined us for supper. Jayden went home later to do chores and sleep. She likes going to the lake, but would rather sleep in her own bed.  She also had to get a good night sleep for her big test in the morning. The boys and I stayed. They have their bunk beds on the main floor and I sleep up in the loft. With air condition, it really is nice. Sure beats a tent!!

Saturday morning I took an early morning bike ride along the lake before the kids were up and going. After breakfast we all decided to head home for a few hours, eat lunch, take showers and then head back. Today, Jayden had to be up early and in Fort Dodge by 8Am for her ACT tests. After lunch she got Rylie so he could join us at the lake. The boys were so anxious for Rylie to come and stay. We had hoped he and Jaynie could come on Friday and spend two days with us. They all went right to the lake and swam. It was another very hot and very windy day. It was also super crowded! I leaned to avoid the lake on a Saturday. Jaynie had a softball tournament and I picked her up in Harcourt at 5:30. She was hot, tired, sunburned, but so excited to go with us. She said she could not wait and had been excited all week to go. After some Spring Lake  concessions ice cream, we finally  got in the lake and the kids swam and floated around. Later I grilled hamburgers over the charcoal. The boys went roller skating until it closed at 10PM. I also got the fire pit going. It was so hot nobody wanted to be around the fire and we resorted in the cabin. The boys stayed up late watching a movie on our little portable dvd player before going to bed. Luke and I slept in the loft in the two beds. The girls went home and stayed.