Kathy’s Musings: A Bucket List Item

The night was perfect and so was the room. It had been cleaned and sprayed for any little critters that may be lurking for  nearly forty years.(Remember the daddy long legs?) The newly installed stairway to the upper bunk over the boathouse was in good shape, the floorboards formed a firm floor, (having recently been sturdied up), and the few screens that were in the open windows were clean–fitting quite nicely back into their openings. The ceilings and walls were covered in numerous signatures of past campers, which only added to the ambience of the night. Gone were the metal bunk beds, but instead a comfy inflatable queen-sized bed was the platform for Sascha’s sleeping bag. The bag beside her bed held water, insect repellent, tissues and a flashlight. She was all set! The stars were out, the sun had set in the northern sky over Loon Lake and the only things missing were the voices of girls either at the fire or inside the hut, but no matter because Sascha Immerman was happy. She was crossing off a bucket list item from her missed opportunity during her camping years of the late forties and early fifties. She never got to sleep in hut nine. Unafraid, she settled in for a night of happiness with a view over the lake and awoke with a smile as the sun rose over the lake. The only bucket list item missing from the night was the curtain of dreams called the Northern Lights, but that did not spoil her perfect sleepover. Oh, did I add she will be eighty in August? It is never too late to have a happy childhood.13557859_10209593122693545_4961520064667566135_n-2

Kathy’s Musings: The New Boat House

new boathouseWe have a new boathouse! Well, it’s not really new—but it looks new to the Maqua Association, who finally renovated the original building with new siding, a staircase to reach the upper level and the door that was originally in the infirmary. (Ah, the coveted upper bunk!)

The names still remain on the walls for posterity and hopefully will be there for many years to come for those who choose to sleep there. The buddy board has been relocated from the west side of the exterior to the interior to preserve it.

The interior has not changed much with the paddle holders,and bulletin boards depicting raft areas and boat placement. The Maqua Association members are happy to see the building standing straighter and prouder than it has in years. Even the pull-out windows work!

 

Finding Maqua

Original Porch SwingThe tires of our Suburban crunched on the ice and snow as we headed down the trail in northern Michigan on a cold winter day in 1987. Lined with snow-laden trees; the pines, oaks, birch and aspen seem to envelop us as we rounded a bend past an old corral.

Kathy’s Musings: Centennial Celebration-June 25, 2016

The current Camp Maqua Association of ten private landowners invite all campers and staff to enjoy at day at camp on June 25, 2016, to celebrate the Centennial year of its existence. Although no longer a camp, the families who reside on the property during the summer feel a celebration is in order!

If you have been interviewed for the book “Girls of Camp Maqua”, that is your entrance ticket! Festivities will begin at 1:00 and continue until the last song is sung at the campfire. Tours of the property, lodge and lake activities are included–including pontoon boat rides from the owners around Loon Lake! Property owners will ferry folks with their golf carts for those unable to walk.

Bring a chair, beverages, suits and towels, your photos and memorabilia and enjoy a barbecue by the lake. (Donation only) If you have not had an interview, contact me for a form.

Below–the group that joined us in 2012!
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