I swore I wasn't going to watch TV this week or touch a computer. But everyone has a book but me.
It's 9:00 p.m. and we just returned from a frog hunt. Last year the house we rented had an abundance of frogs hopping around the backyard at night. This place is a little nicer, a little drier, a lot less froggier - as in frogless. It's cool. We explored the beach and the rabble with our flashlights and messed with the glow-in-the-dark pucks that are imbedded in the fancy dock.
Yes, this place is much fancier. Instead of a little fishing boat we have a pontoon with a big motor and space enough to accommodate all of us. There's no musty smell inside the house and there's hardwood and granite instead of Formica and linoleum. But there's something to be said for the charm of our first lake house. Allie said she liked where we're at, but she wished we could return to White Lake.
I don't know if I agree. This is something different, something new. I think a few turns tubing behind the boat and catching a few fish might change her mind about this place. But I also understand that catching frogs is a thrilling adventure this place lacks.
We started our vacation yesterday. We drove here and stopped at Denise's Cafe in Randolph. From the outside it looked like it was the only live spot in an abandoned block of buildings. Inside was cozy. I'm guessing the four Korean businessmen sitting at the table next to us thought so, too. They all ordered tuna salad sandwiches, french fries and went on about what an honor it was to meet Denise, the owner.
It was the cinnamon roll that knocked us out. It was big, soft, sweet, gooey and served with a huge container of butter. I didn't know you were supposed to put butter on something as rich as a gooey cinnamon roll. I took a bite (that's all Allie and Julia would allow) with the butter. I swooned. Everyone swooned.
There was a green light on the wall at Denise's Cafe. We all guessed what would happen if Julia went over and pressed it. Self-destruct button, power switch, warning alarm to the cook in back that a bus load of tourists had arrived and it was time to call in reinforcements.
It wasn't a button at all. It was a warning light that told you if there was someone in the men's bathroom.
We thought self-destruct would have been much cooler.
We got to the condo and unpacked the tremendous amount of food and sundries that Debbie packs. I'm not complaining. We use it all and have to go shopping once or twice to get the stuff we forgot. But this place is hotel-like in that we have all the toilet paper, towels and dish soap we need.
We've been on the boat four times now. Glenn and Judy stopped by and went out with us for one of those times. We tried to stop, but the waves were a little aggressive and anchoring the boat for a little fishing meant bobbing to a perfect sea-sickness inducing rhythm. It wasn't until this evening's trip that we realized what a boon this boat is.
The breeze, the views, the sunset was very satisfying. We didn't catch any fish. We didn't even get a nibble. But it didn't matter all that much. At least it didn't matter to Deb and me. The girls were whining that they didn't get to pull a hook out of anything's mouth. Although they did get to murder some worms in a very gruesome fashion so I think that was compensation.
Tomorrow Deb's sisters come for a visit. That makes us all happy. This place is too big and nice not to share so we're happy. Plus they're bringing booze.
I'm watching Allie read on the sofa as I type this. Both of my girls are moving past the age when spending time with their parents could have any advantages beyond a source of funds and transportation. They're almost there. But not today and probably not tomorrow. So I'll enjoy my time here and I'll try not to yell so much and I'll let them try to drown me in the pool and I'll bait the hooks and I'll fry the bacon and I'll walk around in the dark in search of a frog or two.
