Oooh we love the lake!

Just back from the lake - Lake of the Ozarks, near Osage Beach, Missouri. We love it there - mostly because our friends are there and we have such a good time cruising a huge beautiful body of water in a boat with them. (refreshing beverages might be involved too...)



This ISN'T Diana McKim...her stylist won't let her go gray...

We arrived at Paul and Lucy Eckhoff's lovely lake home on Thursday about noon. That's right - we got up at 5 a.m. because we wanted to get there to get the party started! Everyone else had arrived either Tuesday or Wednesday. Alas I worked at the fair in the DNR trailer again Wednesday. I sent Diana McKim this photo in a text - saying I thought I'd seen her at the fair in her red hat and purple outfit...
Captain Paul fixed Pablo and me right up with Bloody Marys. I would have been wise to eat something - thinking back....


Diana, Bobbie, Sharon share a laugh

Next Bobbie, Jeff, Paul, Lucy, Pablo and I took the boat to Larry's on the Lake for more refreshments and some appetizers. Again...I would have been wise to eat more. The good news of the day is - I wasn't drinking cheap zinfandel and switched to water before the end of the evening.

We ended up at Al and Sharon's new place (after a little break in someone's boat slip during a rain shower) where we had grilled burgers. Their place is a work in progress - they bought it around the first of the year and are rearranging rooms and remodeling the whole thing. Knowing those two - it will be fabulous by next summer. The nice thing about it is how level the lot is - no huge climb between the house and the dock.

Speaking of huge climbs - when we got up the next morning, Bobbie, Jeff, Paul and I went for a walk around Eckhoff's neighborhood. Those hills kicked my now sore butt! I enjoy looking at all the properties at the lake - from the front and lakeside. Higgins and McKims arrived from Higgin's place and Paul E. then cooked up a great breakfast - assisted by the lovely Lucy. Biscuits, gravy, eggs, sausage - rib stickin' stuff. I did not go for a Bloody Mary that a.m.!

We headed off in 2 boats to find a place to float and enjoy the water. It wasn't all that hot yet, so when we stopped I sat in the boat for a while. The limestone in the area is gorgeous!

Paul G. never did break down and get in...

Captain Paul with Co-Pilot Lucy

We stopped at a couple places on the way back to Paul and Lucy's. At the first place Donnie showed off his glasses floaty things - Al had discovered them. Women were in awe.

The woman to the right of Don was impressed with yellow floaties!

The girls enjoy bevvies

 At the next place there was live music. The guys had fun tossing bean bags until we talked them into dancing a bit.

Then we headed back for some chops. Rumor has it Ryan McKim won them playing golf. They were quite tasty with hash browns, salad and green bean casserole. Living large at the lake on a Friday.

The Zarks

Just back from our trip to the Ozarks - Osage Beach. Not to be confused with our former home, Osage, Iowa. Osage Beach, Missouri is a 5+ hour drive from here - mostly south but a bit east.

We took off after noon Thursday - picked up McKims to ride with us. McFees, Higgins (our hosts) and Eckhoffs (McKims neighbors and other lake homeowners) were already there. We arrived around 7 ish - just in time to hop in the boat and drive to a local bar with karaoke. We danced and sang - the DJ played the cupid shuffle - twice! It was fun.

The rest of the weekend consisted of eating, drinking, floating, boating with good friends. What could be more relaxing? Higgins and Eckhoffs have great places and boats, plus they know the lake like the back of their hands. We hit coves and floated in water less hot than the air, with refreshing bevvies. Yesterday some tiny flying fish threatened to freak out our relaxation. But our mens surrounded us and protected us from the scary fish. (not really but it sounded good)

I have got to admit - this brutal schedule of work...vacation...work...vacation has been wonderful! I am hooked on going places, despite having to get home, do laundry etc. and get ready to go back to DM a.m.

Most of all, through our summer of travels, Paul and I realize over and over how blessed we are to have not only each other, but lots of wonderful friends and relatives to share these times with. On our way home today we pondered where we might go next year?!?

Water Water Everywhere...

Ames looks so sad - flooded yet again. Jud's friends had to purchase ice to melt into drinking water as all the water was gone from the store in Ames when they got there. Of course Wal-Mart and Target are both under water, so that takes out some of the places to buy those things...

Need to go pack for Osage Beach. I'm nervous - not in decent drinking condition. Not sure if I can keep up with my buddies this year. But I'll give it the 'ol college try. And be damn glad I have migraine drugs.

It's a longish drive down there - something like 6.5 hours to Sharon and Al Higgins beautiful home away from home. We got to go last year and had a great time. This year it's supposed to be very very hot. In the good news department, this year I am cleared to actually get into the lake this year (last year I was in recovery from my hysterectomy when we were there).

My lil buddy Jud is home briefly after his internship at John Deere. Man did that kid learn some shit! He is a learned man now - and has many new experiences under his belt. Trips to Chicago, tubing, first solo flight - all by himself, not that he was the pilot. Even driving over there and finding all the places he needed to be and figuring out how to do his job and give his big presentation at the end - that was all huge for Juddy. College senior. Gee seems like Amy was just there...wonder if Jud will streak central like Amy did the night of graduation...naw...