Three days of water and sunshine and family on these two secret, inland Michigan lakes... the perfect way to close out our trip/
Cousin John rented a pontoon boat for our group on Sunday and we proceeded to spend allll day out on Houghton Lake. It took some careful arrangements and, eventually, an organized written list (guess who was responsible for that?) to arrange our 19 family members into groups of 12 or less, signed up for activities of interest. I skipped the morning fishing expedition (no fish) but went for both the "tubing with kids" ride and the "adults only happy hour." Both of which were grand.
The pontoon boat did not have the most powerful engine in the world but it was enough to get some smiles on the faces of all the cousins. And swimming off the boat was lovely, especially once we finally located the ladder.
This is the iconic photo of our trip. Right before heading back in. Nat was in the water with the waterproof camera and told the kids to do one more big jump on his count. And they obliged! Amazing when things work out like that!
Sent kids home in one car, received a carload of cousins onto the boat, and back out we went for happy hour.
And, the only catch of the day.
Back at the ranch for the evening we had a fabulous cookout meal and then the card games began.
And, compliments of Megan and James' Nintendo Switch, so did the video gaming. For a large part of the evening, Brendan played laying down, with his thumb in his mouth, running his Mario Kart with one thumb... and frequently placing in the top three. It was hilarious. Also how do my children have such long legs???
Laura, Paige, Abby and I took it upon ourselves to shake up the patriarchy of fire-starting and get the campfire going ourselves. We got a terrific blaze going, then had a great time talking about college shenanigans with Paige, a sophomore just brimming with the optimism and joy of being 19. Then Laura got out her guitar and she and Steve played (beautifully) while we sang and we worked up our own improvisational melody, "In Michigan," and kept it rolling as the kids came out for a quick hit of s'mores... we added a verse of spoken-work about why T-Rex's can't eat roasted marshmallows, at campfires... in Michigan...
Best fire I've been at in a while. Love those cousins of mine.
Final full day:
Pickle ball (LOTS of pickle ball)...
... and a beach day at Higgins Lake State Park.
Situated a stone's throw from each other, you'd think Houghton and Higgins would be identical inland lakes. But Houghton is run-off fed, with the requisite dirt and rock bottom... while Higgins, somehow, is groundwater-fed with a white sand bottom and clear clear water and the most amazing tropical blue color.
Also incredibly shallow. You had to go PAST the line of boats you see out there to get water past your waist.
Perfect depth for floating and catching minnows and playing Ultimate and wading and sitting with feet in the sand...
We rented kayaks and got lunch at the adorable camp store and it was a perfect day.
Capped it off back at the house with a silly string fight...
...sunset...
...another campfire...
... and more games, of course!
Including the traditional round of "Questions and Answers" and all the raucous laughter that comes with it. We were glad the kids were all upstairs in the "kid loft" (a huge space with no less than 8 beds, two couches and a TV. Jack was ready to move in to that house) and not where they could hear the things we were saying! I learned a few new slang terms myself this year!
Family photos...
(Light testing for Nat. Might as well have fun with it.)
Love these people.
We stopped on the way home for lunch with Grandma Jan and a tour of her new digs at Friendship Village. She is gracious and energetic and positive as always and it was wonderful to spend time with her.
So much to love in Michigan.
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