Spring Lake cabins are popular and I always have to book them around the first of the year. You never know what the weather and schedules will be like when you book so far out. This year happened to be perfect. Luke was super excited to go, Jake really didn't care either way if he went, and Jayden and Mark didnt care for the idea other than to just go over for supper. That is probably because if they didnt come for supper, they would not eat. This cabin camping is definitely my thing, but I had hopes that it would be something the whole family would look forward to. The boys and I loaded up all the gear into the truck and headed for Spring Lake around 5. Fitting everything in the truck was the first challenge. There is just so much a person needs.
Jake had worked at Hidden Acres all day and felt bad he couldn't work longer. He said he had many unfinished projects. It bothers him not to complete something he has started. On our way to the lake we drove through a dark rain cloud and got rained on for about 2 minutes. It turned out we just drove through it and it was building into a bigger storm as it got closer to home. Mark said it thundered, lightning, and rained 3 tenths. Only 20 minutes straight west of home at Spring Lake, the sun was shinning and it was looking to be about perfect. The buffalo gnats have been out and we were worried about them. They have been horrible at Hidden Acres, but we didn't have too much trouble. The mosquitoes came out at dusk and were annoying.Once we got moved in, we grabbed our bikes and rode all over. I have to admit that is probably one of my favorite parts, the freedom of riding a bike all over the place throughout the day. We ride on the paved areas all around camp and you never get tired. There are several giant cottonwood tress and they were blowing there little bits of cotton all over. It looked like it was snowing in June. We parked the truck and over the weekend took bikes everywhere we needed to go. On Friday evenings, Spring Lake serves a BBQ meal, so I didn't even have to cook. Luke brought his roller blades and went roller skating both nights at the skating rink along the lake. It is so old, the wood floors are a little bumpy, and it smells a little old and stenchy, but it takes you back in time and I love that. They even play a lot of oldies music. Luke has gotten so good on his skates he can really roll along. Of course we all had to get some ice cream, they serve it by the lake until 9PM. My most favorite is the amaretto cherry chocolate. It is the bomb! It has so many real cherries in it and tons of shaved chocolate. When you order a single scoop, it's actually 3 scoops. I love it!
We tried to enjoy a campfire back at the cabin in the dark. The mosquitoes were out and biting. Our neighbors in the cabin next door had a ton of loud kids and babies crying, so it didn't take long and Mark and Jayden headed home. Mark thinks I am crazy that I enjoy going to the cabins and Jayden thought it was terrible that she ended up covered in new bug bites. She too was tired after working a full day at Hidden Acres. She got to do lead me rides with handicap children. She even had to sit on the back of a horse and hold on to a cerebral palsy child. I thought that sounded like a great experience for her.The cabins are neat and cozy with air conditioning. They don't have a shower and they dont have a tv, neither are an issue to me. There is a shower house and the break fro m television is a nice quiet break for all of us. The beds aren't the most comfy, but we were all tired and slept great. The cabin has two full beds upstairs in the loft, two full bunk beds in the bottom and a fold down couch in the loft too.
Saturday morning it rained a little so nobody got up too early. Luke brought all his fishing gear and did some fishing. I am always amazed out how patient he is getting his hook and worm ready and sitting waiting for a bite. Maybe I should take up fishing and learn some patience! Once it cleared the day was perfect, sunny and warm 78. More bike riding, and the boys and I went paddle boating. The boys were being typical brothers, arguing about every little thing. On the paddle boat it was over who got to steer, who was paddling too fast or too slow. It was pretty ridiculous. I most enjoyed sitting in the back being chauffeured. Next we had brats I cooked over the fire and then on to a game of disc golf. None of us had ever played and neither boy wanted to play. I told them it was good to try new things, you just never know it might be fun. Reluctantly we played to 5 holes or goals, not sure what you call them. It was a good way to teach the boys how golf is scored and what par means. After our 5 holes, they really kind of enjoyed themselves. We still had fun. Later in the day Jayden joined us and sat on the beach. While she enjoyed some sun, the boys got to digging in the sand and created a battle. They each had trenches and towers, in the end they bombed each others with rocks and sand. Well, it was entertaining.
Sunday I awoke at 7 , left the boys to sleep in and went for a morning walk. It was a little cool yet but the sun was shinning. I walked to a few different benches and sat to have some quiet time and pray. There is something so peaceful about a lake, especially early in the morning when it is quiet, the sun is shining and the birds are talking. It clears your mind and lifts your spirits. The boys and I packed up all our gear and loaded the truck. I made sandwiches, put them in the cooler, so we could have them on the beach and stay past our check out time. We rode our bikes all over again and then sat at the beach. I realized the boys never wanted to ride their bikes off alone or do anything alone. That surprised me , but then I got to thinking of all the things they have seen and heard at their young age in our little community and too close to home, such as kidnappings. I am sure they are always going to always be alert and a sadly a little afraid. Kids should be able to run, bike, and be free at a campground or anywhere and not have to worry about the creeper lurking nearby. We really did everything together. After basking at the beach, eating our cold meat sandwiches, and eating one last ice cream cone, we headed for home. It was such an amazing day it was hard to leave. I was glad for the escape and Jake thanked me many times saying, "Thanks for making me go."We had to check out of our cabins by noon and I really didnt want to leave and go home. Today was turning out to be the nicest day of weather so far. Not a cloud in the sky and high of 78. Our time at the cabin brings back memories of Alice. We had a couple family gatherings at the cabins and one year Alice roller skated. She was always part of our family and I miss her presence. I miss her smile and sweet laugh.
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