Day 118: Summer distraction

Hello, dear ones.  We have arrived at the last week of our vacation and these first two have gone so fast that I don't know how we do it most years, with so little time.  Even with this long trip, as we enter into "countdown mode" there is a sense of urgency, to fit more vacation into the vacation. I get so greedy about my time off. Especially this year, as the countdown hurtles me closer to all the unknowns and anxiety of the school year, I want to hold on to every moment of distaction and freedom here at the lake...

 Looking back at our 2 weeks, we've "done" very little.  Mostly because all those places we might go and visit are too crowded, or indoors, and so are off the agenda.  Instead, we've been embracing the Point and sinking into the ease of being at the lake, all the time.  It's a simple routine:  sleep late, eat outside, swim or kayak, read, lunch, sit outside, read,  play with the cat and dog, swim or kayak, make dinner, socialize a little, drink cocktails, go out in a boat, campfire and stargazing. The children have pretty much gone feral, doing what they please and eating what they please and staying up late.  We've had no complaints from them. I think "doing things" may be overrated, actually.  

Here are some of the ways we've been spending our time this week:

There's a raspberry patch at the end of the Castle road and we've been enjoyig stops there on walks.  Jack joins Nat and I for walks pretty frequently, which is super sweet.  But it may be more about the raspberries than our company.

The girls spent about three days creating a youtube video of themselves doing the "three color challenge".  It was hilarious to  hear them parroting the videos they watch, down to the inflections. 

I've continued my running challenge.  (Just finished 9 for the 19th today) Long distance running isn't so bad when you get to enjoy the lake at the end.


Paddle-boating has been a huge hit!  The paddleboard works like a charm behind the Tin Can and the kids have had a blast.  South Cove  has been our playground this trip more than any other.  Without the raft on the other side to give a destination, we have just been enjoying the shallow, calm waters right outside our door...

Got me a new two piece bathing suit!  I have been working on the nerve to wear it with ease.  I am pleased to be more confident in a two piece at 43 years old than I was as a teenager.

Barb treated us to a boat ride and a swim "in the deep end"- There's nothing more "summer-as-advertised" than this.

Sleepy kiddos are at their very cutest in the gentle light of the cottage.

We've had a total of two rainy days and one good storm the whole time we've been here.  And on one of the rainy days we got a rainbow as a consolation prize. 

Sleepy children in a cottage with a kitten.  You can't handle the cute.

An actual outing!  We caravaned to Toughannock to let the crew play in the creek.

And then, as seems to be the tradition, we stopped at the goat farm on the way home. 

 And we got some ice cream, too.

 Just a little bit!

 Some views I will never get tired of...

 Second outing of the week!  Great gully!  Walk ALL the creeks! 

But first spend an hour climbing and jumping off a giant, slippery log. 

 They had SO. MUCH. FUN.

 The upper falls proved worth the hike. Tons of water from the recent rain made for a deep pool and pummeling "showers" of water.

 If there was sound with this photo you would hear Ivy screaming with joy over the noise of rishing water.

 This place is magic.  And its just *there*, a mile down the road, free for the taking...

 Activies back at the pointt the past few days have centered on a nail and hair salon.

 The other exictement this week was the return of the Morehouse boat!  It feels like summer for real now. 

 Evenings bring campfires at our friend Sarah's beach.  This week the viewing- and photographing-- of the Neo-Wise comet has been the entertainment.

 We are so happy to get so soak up time on this boat, and in this place, for another week.  Whether we "do" anything or not.

 A gloriuos distraction indeed.