All Things Buckeye Lake

Lynnette, Alice, Lon and I started our Friday by driving to a newly opened store in the village. Alice has been helping the owner get the store set up and running. "All Things Buckeye Lake" sells clothing and a wide variety of lakeside "must have" items. Lon and I helped their sales for the day by purchasing a number of items including a cap and two shirts for Lon, a shirt for myself, a picture frame complete with a lake photo and a baby gift for a friend and coworker of mine who's expecting. The attractive new building, the items for sale and the personable staff promise the store will be a great success.

As we were leaving "All Things Buckeye Lake," I took a seat outside in the lounge chair in front of the store, hoping to bring in a few customers with my "happy time" antics. As a result, the store was soon busting at the seams with customers. (Did I mention that this is creative non-fiction?)

We left Pam in charge and scooted the short distance to the village of Millersport for breakfast. The sun was shining so we chose a table on the deck beside a canal and began our day breathing in the fresh lake air. From there, we meandered next door to the Millersport General Store. We couldn't resist buying "another" birdhouse and a cute welcome sign to put by our the front door.

The lake was calling to us so we obeyed by scuttling back to the lake. In no time, we were settling in on the pontoon boat, this time for a ride all the way around the entire lake, in and out of all the nooks and crannies. The variety of structures fighting for a place on the water is astounding. From run down little shacks to gorgeous multi-level dwellings, you see it all here. I found the diversity extremely enjoyable to observe and I found myself constantly intrigued by all the sights. Of all the houses along the shoreline, the pale yellow home is Lynnette and Alice's favorite. I can see why; it's absolutely amazing in a multitude of ways.

We stopped at the Copper Penny lakeside restaurant for liquid refreshments and a mid-afternoon meal. The close-up shot of my cousin, Lynnette (on the left) and Alice (with her cute yellow cap) was taken as we bellied up to the bar.

What do you think of the goofy looking water craft made up of a chair mounted atop a couple of big old tires and a sun umbrella overhead? Ahh, the draw of the open water. The lure of the water inspires men to create some of the most unusual modes of transportation for getting out there and for assuring some degree of relaxation once they drop anchor.

If you think we'd had enough fun for one day, you're wrong. Lynnette and Alice insisted, without a smidgen of resistance on our part, that Lon and I take the two jet skis out for a wild ride on the lake. We had a blast cruising across the water and, when we returned to the dock, were surprised to discover we'd passed an hour bouncing and racing atop the machines.

It was time. Time to act our ages and ease into the evening.

After we all showered and sat at the table beside the lake, Lon announced that he was hungry so we ordered a pizza. Our day slowed down while we enjoyed each other's company, the delicious lakeside air and the lights from the boats reflecting on the water and from the homes to our right and left. Oh yes, the pizza was terrific too.

Lon and I left Lynnette and Alice with wishes for a good night's sleep and made the short walk to our private quarters. A family get-together was planned for the next day so we relaxed in front of the televisions for a very short time and then hit the sack.

Tune in again, if you're enjoying my vacation as much as I am as I relive it here on my blog.

Thursday Evening at Papa Boo's

Our four-day vacation began on a sunny, beautiful day here in Wisconsin. We drove through Illinois, Indiana and into Ohio. Our destination, Buckeye Lake, east of Columbus (not northeast as I stated in a previous post) is located in the middle of Ohio. Perfect weather traveled the eight-hour trip with us and stayed with us for the next three days.

Lynnette and Alice live in a home right on Buckeye Lake. Lynnette’s parents, Marilyn and Dick, have a summer home just a hop, skip and a jump from Lynnette’s house. It wasn’t being used so we slept and showered there. A three-minute walk was all that separated their houses. This close proximity made for perfect private accommodations for our three-night stay. Are we fortunate or what!

Late afternoon after we arrived at the lake, we enjoyed a relaxing drink on the deck beside the lake with our hosts. Next, we boarded Lynnette and Alice’s pontoon boat and headed to Papa Boo’s lakeside restaurant for supper. As we pulled away from the dock, we passed a Cranberry Bog that provides a partial barrier between a wide section of the lake and their property. As we drove between the bog and the shoreline, I snapped random photos of neighboring homes that we passed on our ride along the shore line. Beyond the bog, the lake opened up and the great diversity of permanent and summer homes entertained us as we savored the peace and quiet the lake provides.

The air temperature during our pontoon boat ride to dinner was absolutely perfect and the atmosphere of our evening was lovely. We always enjoy the time we share with Lynnette and Alice. Our first evening together flowed beautifully and we knew we were in for a wonderful weekend.

As we were leaving our outside deck table at Papa Boo’s, I captured the deep blood-red sunset photo. The lights from the restaurant and the boats held us spellbound as we sauntered to the boat, boarded and set off. We nonchalantly cruised the shore line as we headed home. Unfortunately, I failed to set the camera properly for the gorgeously lit palm trees along the waterfront of a home we passed. You can see them, but they were much brighter and more vibrant than they appear in the photo.

If you enjoyed this post, please come back again soon for more.

Back From Buckeye Lake

Lon and I returned today from Buckeye Lake after having a terrific time since Thursday with my cousin, Lynnette, and her friend, Alice, at their lakeside home. I'm planning to share the fun we had in my next few posts.

Presently, since I'm still in a lazy, vacation mode, I'm keeping this evening's post short. I took the photos above from inside our moving truck on our eight-hour drive home today. Dozing and reading kept me occupied through Ohio and Indiana. I perked up eventually and grabbed my camera. Although the skies were threatening in Illinois, the rain we came through didn't pose a problem. The lovely windmills and farmlands were a pleasant sight along Highway 39 in Illinois.

Please return for more highlights of our great long weekend.

Buckeye Lake Beckons

The road and the lake in these photos are lovely, but we won't be traveling along that particular road or going to that lake. Tomorrow morning, Lon and I'll be traveling through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on our way to my second cousin-Lynnette and her friend-Alice's home on Buckeye Lake, northeast of Columbus. Trust me. When I get back, I'll have more photos of I-70 and the lake on my memory stick than you'll care to see.

We'll be cooking out on Saturday with Lynnette's parents-Marilyn and Dick, two brothers-Steve and Scott, and one sister-Jolene, her husband-Sam and daughter-Bailey. Unfortunately, we'll already be driving back to Beloit on Sunday.

Lynnette and I have been close forever. She was born in Beloit, moved to Mt. Prospect, IL, then Peoria, IL, then Indiana and finally to Ohio. Lynnette and Alice usually spend a few days with us here in Beloit every year in August. This year, we'll make the trip and enjoy time together at their lakeside home. We're looking forward to and are guaranteed a fun, light-hearted time with our relatives in Ohio.