Bass Lake Vacation

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The boys and I went on nearly the perfect end-of-summer vacation last weekend. A cabin on a lake, a run through vineyards and orchards, wine tasting, good food, gorgeous sunny weather, no bugs, a hammock, a fire pit, early morning coffee in the hot tub watching the mist roll in over the lake. I’m tellin’ ya, it was over-the-top, ridiculously, stereotypically, cheesily grand. Just like the video, which is the sappiest thing in the world and which I will watch all winter whenever I’m feeling blue. Here are a few more photos, too (click to enlarge).

 

Naked and drunk

Alongside the 40th anniversay party were two events that are not likely to be repeated in the near future.

The first was the Bare Buns Fun Run 5k.  “Be Brave, Be Tough, Beat the Mountain in the Buff!”  Yes, it was a clothing optional run at the Fraternity Snoqualmie nudist camp.  Yes, I can see the question forming in your mind.  I did not run naked (fear of pain) but in a bra and skirt (because I thought I would feel dumb in a bra and no bottoms).  Melanie and John also did not run naked.  We were conspicuously clothed.  Jim, however, did run naked.  As he put it, “I was going to be uncomfortable whether I had clothes on or not, so I took them off.”  No, alas, there are no photos, save this one, of us in our souvenir tees.

Honestly, for me, it wasn’t all the nudity that made the experience unusual, it was having to run straight up a mountain.  An impossible task for me, I might add, but DOWN was fantastic!  Who knew I could run so fast?

Bikini bottoms at the Flamingo poolside bar

After that, there was a wee trip to Vegas.  I decided to be brave and wear a bikini.  My first.  It was a wrong-headed decision, and no, there are certainly no photos.

However, because I know y’all like a good bikini as much as the next person.  Here you go.

My favorite stop in Vegas?  The bar at

One (of three) vodka tasting flights at the bar at Red Square.

- a fabulously kitchy Soviet-era themed, very red establishment with a bar made of ice that specializes in imported vodkas.  Need I say more?  John, Michael and I were very, very happy with the twelve samples we consumed.

 

Mom’s & Dad’s Surprise 40th Party

I threw a surprise 40th wedding anniversary party for my folks in July (with the help of some sneaky companions) and it was an unqualified success.  They were surprised to see me, surprised to have a party, surprised at all the guests, and generally delighted.  The weather was perfect, the Moore’s house lovely, the Linds’ garden redolent, the food delish, the liquor flowing, and there was even a campfire.  Who could ask for anything more?  Click on any picture to enlarge.

Pam (Maid of Honor) was the first to arrive!

Mike and Mike enjoying the surprise.

Bill, whose house we borrowed for the evening.

The happy family.

Matt. He's treelike.

Steve and Ruth Anne came from California back to the old 'hood.

Do they look analytical? They're scientists.

Joan, Judy and Mary with a diverse array of cocktails.

The Stewarts looking Hawaiian and loving it.

Bob and Betty at their post by the fire.

40 red lanterns for 40 years.

Dick begins his guest book masterpiece.

The neighbor girls are used to staying up late.

Purty.

Percy being hilarious?

Jim with cosmo. Happy Jim.

Mike's and Sharon's lovely yard. The new studio, of which there were copious tours, is in the background.

Don't be fooled. Tara was well fed that night.

Someone very clever brought the marshmallows. Wasn't me.

Somebody has to clean up.

Good night and thanks for coming!

 

Photo assignment: Nautical

Jim and I took a weeklong vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, staying in a B&B on the shores of Lake Superior (Gitchigoomee to its friends). Anyhoo, the monthly theme was ‘nautical’…I stretch a bit…but it’s watery. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Lake Craig offers a fairly rugged (though you don’t need to use your hands when you climb the hills) 8-mile loop trail in the woods around the lake. You hardly ever see the lake. But the hike is lovely – especially in autumn. The area is home to the famous ‘moose transplant’ of the 80s. The local moose population, depleted by deforestation, was reinstated by importing moose from Canada – in slings attached to helicopters. Now that the radio collars’ batteries have died, no one can find the moose. We didn’t either.

Our B&B – the Big Bay Point Lighthouse, an 111-year-old working beacon of hope, on a cliff above Lake Superior. Yes, you can climb the tower. Yes, you can buy merchandise. Big Bay Lighthouse socks? Cap? Poster? Mug? Moose? They have it. And cookies. Lots of chocolate chip cookies.

I found this crab leg on the lawn outside the Milwaukee Art Museum. I’m guessing it was dropped by a bird who found it attached to its original owner in Lake Michigan. Or, it could have come from a fast food joint. Who can say?

Sailboats as seen from the cathedral space inside the Calatrava Milwaukee Art Museum. They’re setting up for a wedding banquet.