Home. Let's Just Go Home

Closing day at the lake is always a bit of a juxtaposition of emotions.

It seems every year there is never quite enough lake days. But this year, for the first time, it feels like we've had a decent amount of time out there even though summer was really slow in arriving.

This year we experienced no smoke from forest fires (a first in quite a number of years) and also had no campfire bans. (Again, a first in many years)

It's kind of an odd thing.

We go to the lake to relax.

And we do.

Which is weird because there are far less conveniences than we have at home.

We have power and water and great phone and internet reception, so it's not like we are disconnected from the world. But somehow it just seems to recharge our batteries to wear dirty clothes, smell of smoke and eat hot dogs.

When we are not at the lake during the summer months we are always planning when we are going to next be there. We are always thinking about the flowers. Do they need water? Are they growing? Has the resident wild rabbit eaten them? We are always planning for the next project - the shed, the deck, the wood shed, new firepit, grass.... always something.

October 1st the power and water get shut off for the season.

It's always sad when October arrives.

This year the temperatures were still in the mid 20's with no sign of frost. This is practically unheard of in our area. We filled the tanks with water and used the generator to extend the season for a while longer.

But today, we decided, was the day.

Time to button things up.

It was twenty degrees.

While it's always sad to winterize and close things up, it just seemed wrong to do it while wearing a tank top and flip flops. Usually we can see our breath and are wearing mittens.

But sad as it was, looking in the rearview mirror and seeing both trailers with their winter coats on, the gazebo put away and the place looking barren and abandoned, there's a sense of peace.

Home. Let's just go home, James.

Lake time.

It's kinda like vacations; Lots of planning and excitement. So much fun you don't ever want it to end. But when you finally board that plane, or turn that car toward home, a relief washes over you. Home.

Let's just go home.