Lake Chatuge 2019: Week One

Our first weekend of the year at Lake Chatuge was a lot like every other weekend we spend at Lake Chatuge. Well, I take that back. This one was different. First of all, it rained - torrentially and almost non-stop, which made for VERY peaceful sleep. It also left a lot of time for game-playing in the house. It precluded our traditional trip to the Treat Store (Boundary Waters), but it didn't keep us from "guarding Aunt Nancy's dock," as she told the boys to do, and it didn't keep us from participating in the weekend's Main Event - the Cardboard Boat Race!

Part of 31st Lake Chatuge Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous, the race involved spending two hours building a boat using nothing but cardboard, an Exacto knife, and Duck Tape. Both boys were going to participate - one would work with Jeremy, the other with Mr. Pressley, but when we arrived - in a Saturday morning rain that could be characterized as "monsoon-like" - Jones decided to tap-out. That left the Pressleys and Jeremy to work on a boat for Freddie. 

Taking Randy Cunningham's advice that "Duck Tape is your friend," they fashioned a simple skiff and covered the entire bottom and most of the sides in gray tape, earning it the moniker "Old Gray Boat." Jeremy raced alongside Freddie, who did a fantastic job in his first race, while his proud and encouraging brother stood at the midway point, cheering, "That's my brother! That's my brother!" which, the more I think of it, may have been ripped off from a very similar boat-racing scene in "Stuart Little."

Sadly, the Boat Show won't be back at Chatuge next Summer, but it wouldn't surprise me if Freddie and his crew didn't follow it to Lake Lure this time next year!

Oh! And something else out-of-the-ordinary happened on this trip! Jones MAY have broken his nose. Whether it was broken or not, we aren't sure, but it was definitely busted, bloodied, black and blue, and swollen after a fall off of the porch swing. He cried when it happened but handled the aftermath like a champ!

This was the beginning of Croco-Mama & the Rhino Bros.

Lake Season 2017: Trip Four

Trips to Marco Island, Boston, and Disney World (for which we leave one week from yesterday - EEEEEKKKK!!!!!) have kept us out of our Lake Chatuge routine this year. It seems almost criminal that we've only been able to be there four weekends this summer. Still, I'm glad we got the time out there that we did, and this weekend's visit was one of the best!

Once again, the boys proved they'd rather play on the boat ramp than ride on the boat. Sunday morning, Jeremy walked them down to play in the water for nearly an hour before coming back for the bath that would get them ready for "Lake Church."

Saturday, however, was all about riding the boat (though the boys did start off the day asking for the ramp). The four of us went out for a ride in the morning and were joined that afternoon by "the Kids."  The boys were so excited all day, waiting for them to get there. When they finally arrived, we hit the water for a wonderful time.

First stop was Boundary Waters, because ... of course, it was. I love that place. Then, we swam and pulled the big kids behind the boat. Jones was laying on the cushion at the back of the pontoon, like a lookout. Whenever someone would wipe out, he'd yell, "JEREMY!!!! BESSSSS!" or whatever. Then, when the person would reboard the boat, he'd say, "Are you okay?" or "Did you have fun?" It was really cute.

The cutest thing, though, happened as he laid there beside Bobo. Randomly, I heard Jones say to him, "Truuuuuuuuuusstttttt me. You're my best pal!"

Though traveling to meet Mickey will keep us from our traditional Labor Day at the lake, this weekend's 2017 Chatuge Swan Song was a beautiful one.

As soon as we got to the "No Wake" buoy at the mouth
of McCracken Cove, Freddie threw up the throttle
and said, "Now, we can go FAST."

Lake Season 2017: Trip Three

The major takeaway from this weekend's visit to the lake is that the boys would rather play around Randy Cunningham's boat ramp (Randy's the architect on our (hopefully) upcoming renovation; he has a lake house three doors down from the Pressleys') than on the boat itself.

This makes me really happy. Every time we walk that way, I remember the MANY days and hours I spent at a certain boat ramp on Lake Hartwell when I was right about Jones's age. The time I spent there - with some of my favorite people - remains among the banner memories of my childhood, so I hope Jones and Freddie will look back on these days just as fondly.

In addition to loving the boat ramp, the boys LOVE doing sparklers and making S'mores. They've graduated this summer from the Mount Pleasant nursery to its children's church, and sleeping at the lake is IMPROVED, if not yet perfect.

Maybe next year.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from another wonderful weekend at one of our favorite places.