what a long strange trip it was...

this past weekend, laura and i traveled to cherokee village, arkansas with the carter's for a little r & r. we left thursday night a little earlier than we expected and headed off for our first "vacation" with another married couple. i can't speak for the carter's but we had an awesome time. one of the highlight's of the weekend was being able to go to viola, arkansas and hang out with my buddies john & greg. it was really good seeing them and getting to spend some time with them before they start their school years. between great food & little trusty, the weekend was everything we could need. so, here is my top 5 favorite things about being at the lake...

5. reese's puff cereal...i have all but eliminated "sweets" from my diet, but when i go to the lake i look forward to eating several bowls of my favorite cereal.
4. skiing & tubing on the lake! i was introduced to skiing on lake thunderbird in cherokee village, arkansas and i've loved it since then. it is definitely one of the things that i look forward to while i'm at the lake. however, tubing is by far my favorite of all water sports. it is the primary thing, as far as water sports go, that i have to do while i'm at the lake.
3. fishing, fishing, & fishing. there is one thing that you can bet on if i'm at the lake...i'll be fishing. grandad normally prepares ahead of time for this by filling two cricket cages full of crickets. the best part about fishing off of the dock at the lake is that you really never know what you are going to pull up out of the water. whether it's brim, catfish, bass, perch...you name it, it's there.

2. simply put...the food. every time i go to the lake, i go ahead and concede the fact that i will probably gain 10-15 lbs. there is no denying it. whether it is eating ribs, steaks, homemade dips, fried fish, corn, hamburgers, and dozens of desserts (of course), your stomach will always be happy at the lake. always!

1. trusty...(and grandmother & grandad too.) even though i am not an immediate member of their family, ever since i first showed up at 19 wyandotte i have been treated like one of their own. they are very loving and giving of their time (and space). it just makes trips to the lake that much sweeter. then there is trusty. besides my own dog (bama), trusty is by far the most awesome dog that i've known. he is just a one of a kind dog & to understand this you just have to meet him.

"if your lucky enough to live at the lake, your lucky enough."