Pine Lake 2014 - Day #2

Our first morning bat the lake was perfect.  Patrick went fishing early as Ruby and I slept in.  We had a family Father's Day breakfast in Alison & Will's cabin.  We gave Joe his present, a Captain America t-shirt.

He looks great!  After breakfast we had some friends over -- Joanne Volenec, Jay  Graham, and Scott Graham -- to play Yatzee.  It was a fun game!

   After a leisurely morning in the cabin, we took Ruby with us on a quest to find a canoe rental on the Pine River.  (It was incredibly windy.  Not good weather for fishing.)  We found one that was pet friendly only 15min away.  Horina Canoe Rentals was the cheapest option, $40, and the owner was the most friendly.  One of the businesses that we inquired about told us "9 out of 10 dogs don't come back" and yet another said "dogs don't enjoy" canoeing.  Obviously those folks have never met Ruby!!! We were glad to find one that was both pet friendly and affordable.

   Dinner was a Father's Day feast!!! I got a chance to call my dad and wish him a happy Father's Day while I made the asperagus and corn-on-the-cob.  Alison cooked some awesome steaks (in the pouring rain I should add) and Gail contributed some French fries to the meal.  It was difficult to save room for dessert, Jones' ice cream and chocolate cake!  

   After dinner Ruby and I went back to the cabin to read and relax.  We did go out to check out this large snapping turtle.  We think she was up on the bank laying her eggs.  

 

Mollyann thought she looked like a dinosaur.  I agree with her!

   Patrick and Joe took the boat out for some evening fishing and then jitterbugging.  No fish for Patrick, but he enjoyed the clear calm night.

Pine Lake 2014 - Day #1

   We had an awesome first day of vacation! It started bright and early at 6:20am.  Ruby usually wakes us up around this time. Most weekdays it is a good time to wake up. Most weekends, we would rather sleep in! Today however, it was a perfect time to get moving and we were all so excited to get to Pine Lake ASAP! Our goal was to leave at 8.  We pulled out of our parking lot at 7:59. The morning was super relaxing because we had packed most everything the night before. I used a list and made an effort to be organized! It really does work!

   Our first pit stop was at Bass Pro Shop in Portage, IN to get bait and run Ruby a bit.  Dogs are actually allowed inside the store, which was fun for Ruby.  I am glad we made an effort to socialize her as a puppy, so she wasn't sacred or crazy inside the store.  Patrick saw a dickcissel (a bird) in the prairie grasses on the property. He hasn't seen that bird yet this year and was able to add it to his 'Big. Year' list. 

Are we there yet?  Ruby was a trooper in the car.

   We also made the traditional stop for ice cream at Jones' in Baldwin, MI. Patrick had butter pecan on a cake cone, while I chose a sugar cone with the special of the day - Oreo! Of course the ice cream was incredibly delicious. 

   Once we arrived at Pine Lake Villa, we paid for our cabin, and began the process of unpacking. It didn't take too long. I wish I would have packed some febreeze because our cabin is carpeted.  Lake water + sand + years = smelly cabin. There were plenty of spiders and a cobwebs, but they were easily felt with thanks to the paper towels and Clorox wipes I packed.

   After fixing up the cabin we chose a boat and took a spin out on the lake. It is SO BEAUTIFUL.  The motor that Grandpa Ruhl let us borrow works great and the boat does not leak. 

   We still needed groceries before we could settle down for the week. The Dublin General store is right down the road and has a selection of jerky that is famous. I was proud that we stuck to our list for our menu plan. We did splurge and get one package of jerky.

   Later that night Patrick took Ruby and I out fishing.  Ruby had a grand time jumping all around in the boat.  Surprisingly, she didn't scare all the fish away and Patrick caught a keeper bass.  

He then got a cast stuck in a tree and so he pulled us closer to shore (and to the tree to retrieve the brand weed less worm!).

Ruby took this opportunity to launch herself out of the boat!  She splashed around the shore while Patrick freed the from it's leaf entanglement.

After we got the lure back and Ruby back in the boat, Ruby and I went back to the cabin to dry off and get ready for bed.

   I am so glad with our decision to get our own cabin this year!  It is very relaxing  and great to have a quiet space to retreat to.  The price of cabins did go up this year.  We will have to be more conservative for the rest of the trip. No shopping in Manistee for me.  I think it is well worth it though!