Our kids wait all year for summer to arrive on Loon Lake to make new memories for their kids. It is not an easy flight with two daughters and their families living in California. The drive is long for two sons residing in Florida, but flights are plentiful. This airline industry, staff shortages, gas prices, and delays made for miserable flying conditions for three families. Throw in some Covid, and it was a recipe for more misery.
Daughter Brooke arrived from California and worked in the perennial garden. It has never looked better. Granddaughter Kate, Isaiah, and baby Ziah arrived from California with the trip from “you know where.” They were to split their time between two sets of grandparents’ homes, only to contract Covid. When their isolation was up, and they arrived here to share time with son Tyler, Stephanie, and their three, Covid visited me. Off they scattered, some flying back home and others making a vacation in Michigan, but not at Camp Maqua. It was sad for all of us.
The boat parade for the fourth of July is a great gathering time. Supplies are purchased for the theme each family decides upon, and on the morning of the parade, the team sets to work decorating the boat. I had put a great deal of advance work on our theme, By the time the day arrived, the families had left, and Bill and I manned an undecorated boat, socially distancing from all concerned. Maybe, next year?
The parade had some great entries, but the winners were the Joe and Denise Clancy family, who always go out of their way to create fantastic themes. They competed against another Camp Maqua family but won with the theme “Christmas in July,” which was always a camp theme back in the olden days! Neighbors Marcia and Dominic Smith and family were hippies, dressed in tie-dye outfits.
Son Kyle and his family have too many commitments to join us this year, but Steve and Dawn made Camp Maqua a part of their family trip from California. Bodhi and Kai are at great ages to fish, swim and enjoy the beach activities. Boat and golf cart rides complete the summer fun, spotting the loons and deer on their excursions.
My husband is busy painting the outbuildings to match the lodge, refinishing doors and windows, and general repairs. We had three new window boxes and railings built for the porches for safety. (Read: keep us older peeps from falling). This old building will be 100 years old in 2024, so upkeep is a never-ending project, but we are grateful every day for the decision to buy the lodge.