Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

June 4, 2010

Lake Iwanttobethere fishing video for June 3rd 2010

{137,715}

June 8, 2010

A rain day here at Lake Iwanttobethere, not coming down hard right now but if you stand outside you will get wet. If this was fall it might be consider a good duck day. Not cold as the red needle on the Bass thermometer is hovering right around fifty-five. Tree tops are moving a little from the slight breeze and them dang robins have found something to sing about. Mowing was on the schedule today but that is not going to happen. So with the Puddle Humper snug and dry in the boat house I started to open hatches and go through tackle boxes. Already after being out a few times things need to be put back in their places. I might carry a few to many tackle boxes in the boat, so I went through and did some sorting and some cleaning. I did add another tackle box as I needed somewhere to put all the new paddle tail baits that I bought. But I did sort through the worm boxes and managed to remove one so I stand even.

Batteries are charged and the deck rope is coiled and in it's place. Rain suits are checked because if there is a break in the weather I might just go out for awhile. It is after all just a little water falling. The fish don't know it's raining, well maybe they do but they live in water so how is rain a bad thing for them? Fifty-five out in June may be called cool by some, if it was in October it would be a warm day and you would have to go out in it. Funny how in the early part of summer we get picky on the weather we need to go fishing but as summer flows into fall we are not worried about a little rain or wind.

Grass is green, plants are growing in the garden, Old goose is patrolling the shoreline. Ed and Eddie the squirrels are robbing the bird feeders every morning. What ever seed they knock out of the feeders the dang pigeons find. Bud don't like the pigeons and races in his old man gait to run them off. Pepper over at Elmers has found a new ground hog family to chase. Elmer just shakes his head and makes comments about that fool dog. Matter of fact Elmer is out sitting on the end of his dock fishing right now. Has the blue rain fly strung up and I can see a little steam coming off the mug of coffee he is holding in one hand while he fiddles with his rod in the other. Seems every year he finds a bigger bobber to tie to the end of his line. This year it looks like he has a volleyball on the end. I keep telling him if he would go get his eyes checked he could get some new glasses and then use some smaller bobbers.

Well the wife just came out to the boat house and saw me working on some tackle, her comment was that you are not going fishing today are you? So guess I am going fishing. River is calling me I think and then maybe the fire at the Lodge and a few Wild Turkeys to warm me up.. From Lake Iwanttobethere {138,094}

June 10, 2010

Sometimes ya just got to go fishing... It was raining off and on yesterday and I was going to mow but grass was just to wet. I then decided to go on down to Dels Sub and Pizza Shop and get me a nice thick one. Del was there and not much was going on. Well before you know it he offered to supply some subs if I took him out fishing. Sounded like a good enough reason for me.

About an hour later we were at Minnow Bay and for midweek and not the best of days I was surprised by the number of trailers at this out of the way landing. With the wind whipping at about twenty miles an hour and dark clouds covering the sky we made sure the rain coats were with us and a couple of towels just in case. Ten minutes later and I was thinking this was a pretty good idea going fishing as I had already boated three plumb bass all right around fourteen inches long and missed two more. Had a pair of bald eagles fly over head and got buzzed by Tinker in his twin prop seaplane. We worked our way up the lee side of the bay and we were catching fish and trading barbs between us.

What little sunshine we had slipped behind some even darker clouds and fishing got a little tuff after that. We were still catching but not as quick or as big as what we started out. I did come up on a pair of sleeping loons who gave us a nice long look at themselves. I should have had the camera with and I would have been rewarded with a few nice shots. Not to much longer after that and we came up on several geese and their young. They were not going to fly but just kept their distance from us and the boat. No sooner had we returned to fishing then a large bird I could not see what kind, swept down and snatched a fish from the surface. It went in the other direction calling away as it fought with the fish and trying to get some elevation. The day was turning into a real nature show, Loons, Geese and Eagles, O My!

With a few more boats having launched while we were out we decide to get off the water before the rush at the landing started. We made quick work of getting the Puddle Humper up on the trailer and out of the way as the line started forming. As if on cue the wind died and the lake went calm. This always happens to me but when we checked the log we had landed eighteen fish and lost at least six more, not bad for a spur of the moment fishing outing. The sub was not to bad either, from Lake Iwanttobethere 138,421}

You can watch it here

June 12, 2010

Rain fog and some scattered drops falling from the trees is what I am seeing here at the lake this morning. Fog is so thick you almost have to walk out on the dock to see the waters of Lake Iwanttobethere. Change over day here at the lake, this is the day when most of the tourists coming in pass the ones who are leaving. Past week has been a poor week for fishing as it has been raining most of the time. Not everyone comes for fishing though. Marv and Elmer have been busy at the smoke and book shop helping customers with cigars and magazines. A few books have been sold and someone always seems to be sitting in my donated recliner.

There was a day midweek where I did get out fishing and the wife greeted me on my return. I pointed my finger at my son who in turn blamed me for going fishing and not mowing the lawn. The next day I headed in the direction of the boat house and was caught halfway there by the wife. She redirected me to the shed that houses the tractor and I was bribed with the promise of apple pie in exchange for mowing. I did get the back yard done but it started to rain again before I could get to the front. Good thing I did mow a path to the dock as the grass is now belly deep on the dogs there.

Greenhouse is filled with green and the wife is behind in transplanting, She was on vacation and it rained just about everyday. This however has not stopped her from adding on to her Honey Do List or starting projects and then leaving them for me to finish up on. Grand kids are taking turns doing over nights. I now have a Sponge Bob poster in my bedroom, seems I needed one badly as I was informed by my youngest granddaughter. With all of this rain I went to check the water levels in the rain barrels only to find the one by the greenhouse empty. I guess it would help if the grandsons would stop leaving the spigot open and the hose lying on the ground. Boys are enjoying the low spot in the yard as it is a natural place to put the slip and slide. Grandma is not so happy that they are using their bikes to ride through it and it has turned into a mud slide. Does not help that their uncle showed them how to "Lay down" their bikes so they can go through sideways. After the first attempt to come into the cabin they were order to rinse off in the lake with their clothes on.

Am thinking maybe I should go fishing, to wet to mow and if I stay in yelling range the wife will find some project to start on. Can't go over to Elmers as he is down at the store or he and Marv will already be out crappie fishing. Was at the Lodge last night and got into a game of "Name that Scotch" kind of like "Name that Tune" or you only you do it with shots of scotch. Just on the off chance those tourists are still looking for me I better stay away today. Well hoping you have a sunny day where you are, from Lake Iwanttobethere. {138,566}

June 14, 2010

A long time ago I learn that there is nothing I can do about the weather. Actually I may have learned that at a young age, forgot it and then as I got older relearned it again. This morning I had to run to the Lodge to escort a vacationing couple out to their cabin that they had rented. Actually Reed the Realtor had rented it but as a favor I was filling in for him. The Lodge is a good place to hook up with people as everyone here at Lake Iwanttobethere knows where it is and we have a good size parking lot. So I was sitting in the old Dodge smoking a cigar and watching the rain fall on the windshield. The radio don't work so I didn't have anything to distract me while I just watched people coming and going. Not even Bud would take the ride with me as he made it as far as the deck door at home, saw the falling rain and returned to his rug in the den.

So anyway I am sitting in the truck and I watch as a couple with two youngsters get out of their min-van and race to the overhanging roof of the Lodge. Well the adults did, the kids walked slowly with heads tilted back and tongues out trying to catch falling raindrops. The adults ran like half backs around the puddles trying to stay dry. The youngsters were more like fullbacks and just plowed through the puddles as if they were not there. The mother yelled something at the kids while the father wiping his eyeglasses with the tail of his shirt looked over the main entrance to the Lodge.

Just when it looked like the kids were going to make it to the Lodge steps they spied the last puddle. The older one or at least the taller one stomped in the puddle sending a spray up at the smaller one. They both laughed and then climbed the stairs to disappear behind their parents into the Lodge. No sooner had they gone in then Elmer and Marv drove up in Elmers pickup. The two got out of the truck and taking their time walked across the lot towards the Lodge. The light rain falling down on their balding heads they walked through the puddles in a straight line to the Lodge. When they got to the last puddle they both paused and looking at each other they stomped in the puddle spraying each other in water, laughing they climbed the steps and went into the Lodge.

A couple of eight year olds and a couple of eighty year olds both enjoying the rain because they know there is nothing much they can do about it. My cell rings and Gus tells me the couple that I am to meet are there in the Lodge. I tell him to send them out to the Dodge. I start the Dodge and back up away from the Lodge putting some more puddles between me and the door. From Lake Iwanttobethere. {138,961}

June 18, 2010

What a night for sounds around the lake here last night. I was sitting on the covered swing waiting for a thunderstorm that was on it's way according to Sunshine Ray. I had a glass of soda sitting on the table and with the so called calm before the storm surrounding me you could hear the ice cubes shift in the glass as they melted. The dogs walked across the wood floor of the deck and you could hear each paw as it scrapes the deck before being lowered and then lifted and set down again. The swing itself creaked from time to time as I slowly pushed it back and forth with my foot. A few drops of rain from time to time would fall on the roof of the covered swing making that splattering sound. A few more would fall in the fire pit and just disappear in the flames licking at the birch logs that I had burning.

Robins could be heard, not as main singers but there just in the background. There songs mixing and combining with other birds to make a quiet but filling noise. The star of the night as in most nights is when the freight comes. You can hear across the lake the steady roar of the engine and the ringing of the bell. The air horn is heard above everything as the train rumbles through crossings. The train overwhelms all the other noises and as it finally moves off the other sounds returned. The robins and some peepers, the deep croak of a couple of frogs down by the bull rushes. The splash of a fish and the quiet rings on the water from the spot. It took me a few times to place it but there you could also hear the sound of an aluminum bat. I remembered that the church league was having a double header tonight to make up for a rained out game. I focused my attention in the direction of the softball field and now I could hear the bat and some faint cheering. If I was there I'll wager I would hear the sound of the buzzing lights and "Hey batter batter, Swing!"

The bluish gray wall slowly coming across the lake showed where the rain was marching in my direction. It might have been my imagination but it sounded like the sound of the bat was in a hurry now, trying to get the game in before the rain arrived. The ice cubes shifted in the glass on the table and made that clinking sound as they fell on each other. Dogs shifted on the deck and the swing creaked again. The fire crackled and there was a pop as something in the fire exploded in a small fireball. Another drop of rain hit the wind chimes and a quiet tone rang out. The robins were gone I tried to listen for them but the background music had been changed. Now a slight breeze stirred the tree tops and leaves rustled against each other.

The old wood row boat tugged at the yellow ropes and then banged up against the dock bumpers. A new noise is heard as the wife is starting to close windows inside the cabin. The click of the latches catching and blinds being lowered. Bud and Barney standing and stretching looking at me as they made their way across the deck to sit at the deck door. The wife opens the door and lets them inside and just looks back at me and shakes her head. Another drop of rain hits the roof of the swing and the first long rolling rumble of thunder comes across the lake, the rain is getting closer. From Lake Iwanttobethere {139,594}

June 23, 2010

Sometimes fishing can be good, sometimes fishing can be outstanding! Sometimes fishing can be so good and outstanding that no one believes you when you tell them it was the best ever. Then there are the days that are not so good, not even fair but are so terrible that you don't want to tell anyone but when you do they nod their heads with total understanding and don't doubt a word you say. Well fishing on my birthday my 684th to be exact was Outstanding!

Outstandingly bad... I am going to write something I don't thing I ever have before, I was skunked bass fishing, Yes, I know hard to read let alone write. Not a single bass, not just me either my son never saw the fin of a bass, not a swirl or even the ring of a splash on the surface of the water. All we caught was a pair of twenty inch northerns, and saw some blue gills and thousands of minnows in the shallows of what is normally a good bass bay here at Lake Iwanttobethere. It did not just end with that though, The flies worked me over like I was the buffet table of an all you can eat wedding with a cash bar. The day was warm, a light wind and the water was fine but not a fish anywhere that we could find.

One big northern did make a follow all the way to the boat and the son was stammering a little when he said he had a big one follow. But that was just a tease that was seen early in the evening. We did see wildlife and that became the high point of the fishing. I had my hat cam with and I did get some of it but most of the time the camera was laying in the bottom of the boat as we were catching nothing. We did see two loons as soon as we got there, some turtles sunning on a log. A deer scamper from the edge of the lake and shortly after another try and jump a twenty foot stretch of water between an island and the main shoreline. She failed and made a splash more like she was doing a cannon ball.

A big blue heron took to wing in the shallows and if we were smart we should have followed in his direction. Even he was not catching any fish. Some geese were spotted in a yard doing the waddle and when we loaded the Puddle Humper on the trailer a chipmunk was there to see if we had any of our sandwich left to share. We were back on the road by eight not even staying to see if there was sunset bite. I for one did not want to be the late snack for the skeeters. A few rabbits scamper along the side of the road and then as we made the turn on to the blacktop a fox and two of her kids were playing alongside the ditch. I pulled over and shot some video and walked right up to the ma who posed for me. That was kind of strange but the entire afternoon had been the same way. I guess in the end it was not all that bad of a 684th birthday, From Lake Iwanttobethere {140,538}

June 25, 2010

What a nice day! Sun is shinning with just the trace of a few biscuit white clouds in the sky. I lean back in the covered swing with a few extra pillows behind me. A glass of ice tea filled with the big cubes rest close at hand, the condensation from the glass forming and creating droplets that join together to run down the glass to pool on the small round cedar table. I can hear the snoring of Barney under the swing as he to is enjoying this fine summer day.

From time to time I will take the plant watering bottle that I have set on fine spray and give it a couple of squeezes. The fine mist lands lightly on my face and with the little breeze it is like Mother Earths own free air conditioning. Birds sing in the back ground and I can hear one Robin with a strong voice above the others. Bees to what they do and that is buzz and zig zag as they go from flower to flower. I watch as mayfly hovers and then makes a light landing on my knee. With wings tucked it just sits there and we look at each other. A dragon fly moves in and it hovers looking like a big helicopter compared to the mayfly. It makes a quick inspection before pulling up and flying away.

I sit back a little deeper in the pillows and closing my eyes think it just doesn't get much better than this here at Lake Iwanttobethere. As I lay there I am wondering to myself why my face feels so damp, somehow I must have bumped the spray nozzle and my little spritz feels like a squirt. Why now is the wife deciding to drag furniture around in side the cabin? I can feel the rumble of the couch being moved or is she moving the table on the deck.. I fight the urge to open my eyes, I don't want to spoil the moment. A cloud must have moved in the way of the sunshine as I don't feel the warm rays on my pants anymore, as a matter of fact I almost had a chill there.

Robin stops singing and the wind chimes are banging away louder then when I had first sat down. Come to think of it these cushions are not as comfortable either. The buzzing of the bee is gone and it is replaced by a tapping sound that seems to be getting louder. That spritzer bottle is getting annoying as the last spray I had to wipe my face with my hand to wipe the extra water off. Little chill in the air now to, must be a bigger cloud then I thought moving across the sky. With a loud BANG I open my eyes ready to yell at the wife "What are you dropping next to my head!"

To late I realize I have been dreaming and the cloth top to the swing flips and I am trenched with rain water, the sky is dark and another peel of thunder rolls across the lake. Barney is inside the cabin looking at me through the closed glass deck door. I should have known it was a dream, sunny day, Ya right.. From Lake Iwanttobethere {140,806}

June 27, 2010

Silent Sunday and other things about Iwanttobethere.

Since you have been reading this for awhile or perhaps just stumbled across our little town here, you should have heard the term Silent Sunday. Well silent Sunday is just that. It is meant to be a quiet day with no spoken word. When the town was first settled back in the 1800's it was a logging town and as the woods were cleared the farmers moved into the fertile land around the lake. Of course they had to work sunrise to sunset six days a week.. A Minster who had made the trip from back East found a ripe little town waiting to be saved.

Well the farmers wife's also worked six days a week or to hear great great grand ma say it "everyday" of the week. The building of a church by the new towns minister and the services that were held there every Sunday were a way for the ladies to get together and socialize. The menfolk could chat in their fields with the next farmer over or when they made a trip into town for supplies. It did not take much of a reason to stop at the Lodge and taste a cold beer and exchange farming wisdom.

During a sermon held in the white church on the bank of the lake the Minster preached that we should make Sunday a silent day out of respect.. The men embraced it and the ladies thought twice about this Minster from back East. Working in the fields for six days and then having to come home and listen to the wife and kids, a day of silence sounded like a good idea to the men.

The idea became an option. The Minster thought twice about it as now the menfolk sat in his pews and said nothing. Church events would find the ladies in groups chatting about what ever they chat about, kids chasing kids and dogs barking. The men would gather under the shade of a big willow on the bank of the lake. As someone came to sit on one of the many benches there they would be greeted with Hiya. Sitting and watching perhaps with a blade of grass between there lips and a jug at there side. Life was good, at least one day out of the week.

Fast forward to today. Talk talk talk, pretty hard to get away from it. Even sitting out in the row boat fishing someone is always trying to get a hold of you on the cell phone. With computers we can just take an e-mail when ever we want to. Nice thing about e-mail is you can answer it in your shorts at four in the morning. A big plus if you are a farmer. Then they started texting. Now if you don't answer your phone they text you.

So we have Silent Sunday, we make every effort not to talk to others from the town. Hiya covers it all when passing in the street or bumping boats on the lake. You may have noticed that most town events are held on Saturdays. Some may carry over to Sunday but most times that is just clean up and break downs and you don't need much more then HiYa.

Reinforcing Silent Sunday is the town's law about chain saws and lawnmowers running during the summer on weekends. Don't do no good enjoying a quiet day if you can hear someone else working. Just makes you think about working. Of course another good reason for silent Sunday is it is good to rest your voice after yelling at Cows, Dogs and Kin all week. From Lake Iwanttobethere, Hiya {141,126}

June 30, 2010

End of June here and tonight is the Town Hall meeting, as you know the Town Hall meetings are always held on the fifth Wednesday of every month. The Lodge held it's meeting which is held on the fifth Tuesday of the month. Next Lodge meeting will not be till August so I had to attend and hold court. Meeting was not started till ten this giving everyone time to get off the water and the Lodges parking lot was quite full of wet trailers. Most of the meeting was held in the parking lot till the skeeters came out in force. Since it has pretty much rained almost everyday for the past three weeks the skeeters have been back in the swamps lifting weights. Now that the sun has been out for a few days and the winds have calmed some the skeeters are having battle royals with the dragon flies and seemed to be winning!

Flies have been a big problem to, buggers take a chunk out of you when you are wearing shorts and are busy concentrating on your line. I know Big Earl has another order of fly swatters on order as he has already sold out his stock that would usually last an entire season. As for the Lodge we are on schedule to do some repairs on the main building and a new storage building will be built later this summer. This will allow us to tear down the old one that has been leaking and just needs to go. Lodge's fishing contest has been slow as fishing has been poor for most of the regulars. Early ice out, a long spring and now the last month of nothing but rain has guys scratching their heads on where to find the fish. Lake is up, which is good, opens up a few access that were hard to get to or you had to use the 4x4's

Fireworks committee is ready for the 4th and I am told the float for the parade is almost ready. I did have a chance to look at the float in the garage and curious as to what it is going to be. All I saw was a frame, four tires and some colored cloth and netting stacked in the corner. Dug's garage has been busy doing tune-ups as we will of course be involved in the running of the lawn mower races and this year something new. We will be also holding ATV and lawn tractor pulls, this will be held in the Lodges parking lot, right where we want to expand and pave.

BBQ tonight as the town hall meeting will be held and I am sure there will be more discussion about the parade, fireworks dance and picnic held in the park. The fabulously fine fingers of Fred and Fiona Fiddler and their son Fred will once again be on hand to perform. I think I found a spot with a few fish last night so I am going out fishing again this afternoon, I will be back in time to attend the meeting and report. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good fishing day {141,290}

July 3, 2010

Well summer is here today for sure! Just past noon and already the red needle on the bass thermometer is nudging past ninety in the shade. Finally broke down and installed the window ac unit as sleeping last night was uncomfortable. Not so much for me but the dogs were coming and going all night trying to find a place to lay. Now after having the ac unit on for the past hour there is not a dog or cat to be seen. They are all in the room with the ac sprawled on the bed or the floor and snoring can be heard down the hallway.

Going to take awhile to cool the cabin off and so I spent some time just sitting on the dock with my feet dangling over the edge into the water. Funny how I used to do the same thing fifty years ago but my feet are a lot larger then I remember them back then. From time to time curious bluegills will drift up to inspect my toes and I wiggle them unsure as if they will be scared away or think it is something they should eat. The old goose and his mate are back in the bulrushes and I can make out some of the kids from time to time. Mama is pretty strict with them and they don't wander too far. Sunlight is reflected off boats scattered around the lake, and from where I sit I can see a few house boats off the point. Even at mid day the yells and screams of kids jumping into the water can be heard.

Our shipment of corn for the 4th came in yesterday and we fired up a BBQ and did some taste testing. The hot weather has arrived in time to make this a good fourth, hot buttered corn and ice cold watermelon just does not taste any better then when it has to be eaten in the shade. Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather are disagreeing about their thirty-six hour forecast. As one is calling for some slight showers while the other is calling for downfalls. Both are saying it should clear up in time for the fireworks display. The atv pulls and lawnmower racing will be held rain or shine so it might be renamed "Mud Bog Racing" either way I am looking forward to it as my extra weight might be an advantage now.

Parade might be interesting if we do get the rain but out here at Lake Iwanttobethere we don't cancel many things. Once we say we are going to do something and the hay bales are set up we go for it. I mean really, it's just a little water! Wife is busy in the kitchen making up a monster batch of potato salad and Elmer was just here dropping of a keg of his homemade pickles. He and Pepper have left to go and listen to the baseball game in his basement. Nice and cool there and he won't be needed at the Lodge till later this evening.

Well I got three calls in the past fifteen minutes, I need to go down to the Lodge. They can't find the key to the ice house lock and Mindy and Mandy are setting up the root beer booth and need ice. My neighbor Chuck said he will drive down with me which is a surprise till I hear out his thoughts. Made pretty good sense if ya ask me. Mindy and Mandy, very very hot weather, ice, short short shorts and well I think you get the idea. Told the wife I had to run to the Lodge and would be back later. From Lake Iwanttobethere {141,805}

July 6, 2010

The day after, sounds like a title for a movie but here at the lake it is the day after the 4th. The heat has broke at least the sizzling stuff we have had for the past few days. I spent some time this morning enjoying a quiet few minutes on the creaking swing. Both Barney and Buddy along with my daughters lab were spread across the deck snoring heavy. Last night's fireworks went on into the wee hours of the morning as even after the Lake had their big display people returned to their cabins to continue to fire off their own fireworks or what ever they could find that made noise. I know for a fact that several people were shooting shotguns and old man Walter fired his cannon a few times.

Barney and Bud pretty much ignore the fireworks but Buster being a city dog was getting pretty worked up, He in turn got the boys excited and in the end no one really slept that well. Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather were both right if you ask them. We got just one heavy downpour here on this side of the lake but the far side got pounded with several inches of rain and more than one camper was seen having breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe or the Dew Drop Inn in soaking wet clothes. The Laundromat was doing good business as all the dryers were running for most of the day.

So many things to tell about the 4th don't know where to start. A new Miss Lake Iwanttobethere was crowned and I am glad to report there were no bathing suit malfunctions this year. Parade went off with out a hitch as we got it in before our little downfall that we had. This years Lodge entry was completed in time and I must admit I was expecting a little more from the boys. The float ended up looking a lot like a duck blind on wheels, the thing that made it different is that Elmer and Marv were inside the float tossing candy out the gun ports. They called the float a salute to the old days and had a porcelain jug that they were passing back and forth between them.

Lawnmower races were kind of special this year as halfway through the open class the downpour occurred. Having big wheels on the mowers made for some exciting racing that and the fact that it did not take the drivers long to figure out that when going through the turns if you stayed along the street curbs you could spray the entire crowd with water. My lap was a thing of beauty I was told. With my extra weight keeping the wheels down and my Cub roaring and steam trailing behind me when I came around the turn it was like a curl of water that any surfer would have paid to have a chance to ride. Most of the locals backed away when they saw me coming but for some reason the tourists pressed closer to the curb and the stacked hay bales. The wall of water came off the tractor like snow off a plow and the curl soaked everyone and everything. I was only able to make the one pass as the water rose to high and I stalled out.

BBQ was good and Big Earl outdid himself with the corn and Nytelyter had his brisket. Dan T was there with his Saint Bernard and even Duckslayer and his wife were mingling. Dotch was spending some time behind the mike at the KCUM booth answering farming questions and Hunterdown was surrounded by a group of guys from the two cites asking about booking a flamingo hunt this fall. Hammering Hank and Skinny made a grand entrance to the park as they looked like some guys from Ghost Buster. They were wearing white paper suits and had the fogging backpacks on. They came from the direction of the swamp as they fogged their way to the park. Their were campfires burning but they were not large. Plenty of heat already and no more was needed.

Little donut wagon was as always busy, hot pretzels stand, the ice cream truck were hits and Mindy and Many along with their ice cold Lake Iwanttobethere Root beer might have been the most popular booth. I'll bet a lot of you don't know that Mindy and Many used to be models! Yup, you see some of their work every day on the highway. They are the models for them gals you see on them big truckers mud flaps. Today they were just wearing short shorts and white blouses, Mindy was the one in pink.

Pontoons were loaded and the water parade started around nine or so. Chairs and picnic tables were carried or dragged to the water's edge. Fire works started at ten and went off without a hitch. Lodge was filled to past one and the ice house was left open for anyone who needed to be quick chilled. A keg of Hamms was packed in ice blocks and more than one tourist was seen bent over at the waist with hands over their head trying to survive a beer freeze. Just a decent holiday was had. This morning finds the flag flapping on the mast outside the Lodge, a reminder for why we celebrate. From Lake Iwanttobethere{142,274}

July 7, 2010

Clean up is complete here at the lake and the 4th of July is another memory. The summer has been an unusual one as with the early and long Spring we had it seems to have thrown the Summers timing off. O don't get me wrong, I am all for a long summer like them folks down south get. I am just hoping that we will get a long Fall to and fishing will improve and the heat will be gone so all of them projects can get done. Of course I am never worried about running out of projects as the list never ends. The heat feels good as long as you are not working in it, the humidity can leave anytime.

I was sitting at a picnic table not to far away from the BBQ where the hot dogs were being made on the 4th. Thinking to myself that here at the lake we serve a pretty fine hot dog. Now over the course of many years I have eaten my fair share of hot dogs. From when I was called in from playing when I was a kid to lunch room hot dogs in grade school. Having a few beers with the boys and stopping at a late night dinner with only enough change in my pocket to buy just one. We would order them with everything on them just so we could get our moneys worth.

I have had hot dogs wrapped in paper towel and in little waxed bags, Hot dogs that have sat on grills for who knows how long. Gas station hot dogs, burnt hot dogs cooked on a stick over a campfire. Microwave hot dogs, boiled hot dog, pan fried hot dogs and even raw hot dogs. But I think the Lake Iwanttobethere 4th of July hot dogs are the best. Now if you have been here to the lake you know what I am talking about. These are not the over priced cold hot dogs that you get at a baseball game. These are made to order for you as you wait. You take your turn and you follow the line that runs along a few picnic tables that are end to end. A blue and white checkered table cloth spans both tables making them look like one. Behind the table stands the grill, a long charred barrel that was cut in half length wise and modified. Filled with cherry hot coals blacken grills keep spitting hamburgers and fat hot dogs from falling into the flames.

A couple of guys work the grill, they look to be in their fifties, it takes that long to learn how to make a good hot dog. They cook hamburgers to but that is for another day. Today you are looking for a hot dog and maybe an ear of corn that is at the next table down. No assembly line here, you ask for a "Split One" with everything. The older looking of the two guys nods his head and with a napkin in hand he places a slightly brown bun from the back of the grill on to it. Turning back to the table he dips a wooden flat stick into the yellow bowl of mustard. Looking up at you he asks " One street or two" you raise your two fingers up and he nods and with the practice of a thousand times already that day swipes mustard up one side of the bun and down the other side, two streets.

He turns back to the grill and rolling a few dogs to keep them from burning plucks a ripe one. Slightly split and with juices dripping he lays it on to the center of the bun between the two streets. The rest is quick as you move down the table with him, he pauses looks at you and you nod your head as he stops at the can of catsup. A pump stands up out of a gallon can and with one slow pump and a swipe of the dog under it an even river of catsup is delivered. A scoop of county fair relish is forked on along with another fork load of sweet diced onion. You lay your dollar on the table and he hands it to you. You quickly move the bun from one hand to the other, it is hotter then you think. Looking back at the cook you now notice the calloused thick hands of a farmer and now know how he handled it like it was nothing. Maybe that is why there are always older guys handling the hot dogs and the roasted corn, the young guys just don't have the hands yet.

Like most people you eat the dog as you stand in line to get some hot buttered corn on the cob. Now is not the time to get a soda, you will lose yur place in the line. As you dab at the corner of your mouth with the napkin you think that maybe you should have gotten two. But there is corn to be had and that cool watermelon might feel pretty good on the hands. From Lake Iwanttobethere {142,562}

July 11, 2010

Grandsons were here at the lake for the day, they had already tired their dad out, my son with a bike ride. We went down to the lake to do some swimming and between dives and cannon ball plunges from the dock we let the sun and light breeze dry us. My four year old has this thing about having a six pack belly, he likes watching that info commercial. He asked me between plunges if I ever had a "six pack" my five year old grandson answered for me by saying " Papa don't need a six pack, he already has a keg" kids...

The smart bear is back making it's rounds. Even though the berry crop is ripe for the picking there is a big old black bear that we call the "Smart bear" working the cabins. Knocking over garbage cans and getting free meals along with an occasional cooler left out the smart bear is back in town. The smart bear got his nickname because it stands on it's hide legs and waves his front paws over his head to get the motion detector on the outside flood lights to go off. This then lights up his garbage cans making sorting easier. Tourists get a bang out of it, the bear gets donuts.

By five the kids have had enough swimming and their dad has recovered from the bike trip. They left after showers to go do a mans trip to the county fair. The ladies had already left to go to the fair and do a Woman's day which I understand means they will not be checking out cars at the dirt track or seeing how many deep fried hot dogs they can eat. I enjoyed the sunshine and breeze and guarded the cabin from the smart bear.

Sometimes, even when it is hot you get the perfect time of the day. It does not always happen but Saturday was a good example. Some light rain had came and went, it was warm, there was enough breeze to slow dry you after swimming but not give you a chill. The wind kept the bugs away and the sun was sitting low enough in the sky that it no longer bother your eyes. I sat back on the swing with a couple of melting ice cubes in a glass and a nice slow burning cigar between my fingers. I waiting for the concert to start and right on time, well maybe a few minutes late it did. I could hear the sound of the piano coming from Elmers open cabin windows. Elmer has always played the piano, an old beat up upright that he has tuned every once in a great while. He never plays a entire song but wanders from one to another. Sometimes there are long pauses where he stops to sip on his drink or has to re lite his cigar.

With Marv moving to the lake he has joined the Saturday afternoon concerts. Coming to the lake from back east he brought with him his mandolin a sound not common in these parts. Together the two of them wander through songs together. Elmer has a light touch with the piano, it might be his style or that age no longer allows him to bang on the keys. But in the quiet of a summers late afternoon the lite tinkling of the keys and the plucking of the mandolin fit like a glove. Chuck is home and he takes his place out on his old pontoon. His old six string guitar adds to the mix and I being the lucky one sit between the music. The wind does the mixing and the sounds of the guitar, piano and mandolin are blended and weave together to form music that can't be described.

I can't sing a lick and never learned to play a thing, but I can listen and I do. Between songs or during long pauses the local birds add their voices. The robin sounds like a critic as it goes into a long winded song where as the two loons floating off the dock make just a few lonely calls that echo in the bay. A honk from the old goose showing his approval and for a change Edd and Eddie sit quietly on a limb waiting for the next song to start. Bud and Barney lay sleeping on the deck and only when the pause is long do they open an eye and look around for the reason to the interruption. I take a sip of my drink and a long pull from the cigar and I to wait for the next song to start, it don't get much better on a summers afternoon, from Lake Iwanttobethere {143,462}

July 14, 2010

Taking a break here between filling the mower with gas. Yes, even here at Lake Iwanttobethere we have to cut the grass. A decent day going as there are some clouds and it is not nearly as warm as it has been the past few weeks. Taking me longer then usual to mow as the raspberries are ripe and each time I take a pass by the bushes I pause to lean over and pick a few. Got a late start mowing as when I went to shed to get gas I had forgotten I had used the last to put in the Puddle Humper. Always a good excuse not to mow if there is no gas at hand. Wife held out the truck keys and pointed me in the direction of town, I took the hint and put a empty gas can in the Dodge. Before I could leave she brought out the bigger can with orders to put gas in both.

Driving down the dirt road I had the windows down and a cigar burning. Not being in too big of a hurry I took my time looking at the sights. Hay fields have been mowed and bales sit in a pattern of sorts waiting to be loaded by farmer's sons. I come around a turn and the road is blocked by the large rear end of a hay trailer being pulled by an old John Deere. The trailer is loaded high and sways back and forth across the road like a heavy set woman at a wedding with just one to many Tom Collins. I slip in behind and turning on the Dodges flashers I have now joined the parade.

I follow for maybe a quarter mile before the trailer makes a left hand turn away from the lake and heads to a distant barn. I get a wave from the driver of the tractor, a lad maybe sixteen or so with a dark tan and a grass stem hanging from his lips. Turning off the flashers I continue on down the road but I don't travel any faster. Moving along at just better than a grouse hunting pace I take my time and take in the smells of summer. A few birds fly alongside dipping in and out above the ditch. I see a rabbit and it sits not moving. I always chuckle when they do that trick. If they pretend not to notice you then you can't see them. Have tried that trick at Lodge meetings when volunteers are needed, never seems to work that well.

Arriving at the Gas-N-Go I pull up to the pump and fill the two gas cans, well at least half full anyway. Going inside to pay I am distracted by the gurgling of a new pot of coffee being brewed and a few of the fellers are standing around with their Gas-N-Go mugs. I pay the lad and making sure I get my gas card punched I pick up a empty cup and wait my turn. I am just in the midst of a good conversation about boat plugs when the lad calls out my name. I wave my hands across my face but he goes ahead and tells the wife that Yes, I am still there. With some guff from the boys I head to the door.

I walk out to the Dodge when this really big boat is pulled into the lot by a really little car. A couple of guys get out and ask if I work at the station. I answer no and wait for the next question. Next question is "Where can we launch our boat?" Answer is about ten more miles along this road. Next question is "Ain't there any place closer?" Answer is yes but not with that car. By now the gas station kid has come out and they ask him the same questions, He goes back into the station to show them a map of the lake and I am guessing the closer landing. The guys comes out, gives me a short wave and with their bumper dragging pulls out of the station in the direction of the landing. A few seconds later the fellows all come out with an assortment of chips and sodas. They head for their pickups and follow the car. The last truck pulling out stops long enough to ask if I am going to go watch.. Before I can say anything the lad from inside yells the wife wants to know if I am still there. I get in the Dodge and head back to the cabin, wondering about what is happening at the landing, from Lake Iwanttobethere {144,107}

July 16, 2010

Just saw Frank the plow driver heading back to the garage. Looks like he finally is done with the repairs to the boat landing made the other day when the failed launch attempt was held. I am told it can be very interesting when trying to pull a boat still on the trailer and a small car still attached to the boat and trailer when all of them are in the water. Might have been done easier except there was beer involved and the train pull did not work out as planed. When the guys left the Gas-N-Go all they were going to do is just watch a launching. Little did they know they were going to spend the rest of the day trying to get trucks and a car and a atv out of the drink.

I was not there so I don't even know how they got the farm tractor down there and I hear that when a old rusty chain that has not been used for awhile snaps it can really go right through the fender of an old Ford without much problem. There are still looking for the hook that came off, that might be in the water. As the story goes the small car with the big boat backed up to the landing and made it way down to the water's edge. The driver got out to unhook the trailer lights and forgot to put the car in park. He watched as the trailer, boat and the car with his buddy in the passenger seat rolled down the gravel landing and into the lake. The trailer of course disappeared from sight and the car floated for a moment before it sank from sight. Just as the water covered the roof of the car the passenger popped up holding on to a case of beer.

A few of the guys waded in and pulled the beer to shore and the passenger spitting water made it in on his own. Well the group stood and watch where the bubbles were coming up and decide that cold beer should not go to waste. Sipping on their beers they tried to remember if any of them had any experience at retrieving sunken cars. Deciding this would be a new experience for all of them they drank more beer and took inventory of what they had on hand. No four wheel drive trucks but they did have some pickups and some chain. It took a while but soon they had the trucks all chained together like a train figuring that together they would be able to pull the car and trailer out.

The idea sounded pretty good and they thought that even a BP engineer would have approved. Starting engines they pulled and pulled creating some nice deep ruts while covering the windshields of the truck behind them with rocks and dirt. The second attempt it was thought that maybe they should unhook the trailer from the car. That went well until they remembered they should also take the safety chains off. With the chains released the boat floated away taking the trailer with it. The owner of the boat climbed on board and started the big inboard motor. Trying to save his boat he put the throttle all the way forward and with the trailer hanging below barely made a wake as he moved forward sending the tongue of the trailer through the back window of the sunken car but pushing the car forward so the hood was now above water.

Somehow an ATV got involved and ended up in the lake and not until a local farm kid who was moving hay arrived and pulled all the two wheel drive trucks out of their ruts and then the small car was pulled out. Not a total loss as when the car doors were open to let the water out there was a fine looking three pound bass in the front seat. One of the trucks was backed into the water and the trailer hitch was lower onto the ball and then the tractor pulled the truck up the landing.

Frank the plow driver spent the day leveling the parking area and redoing the landing. After a lot of back slapping the guys all drove away and are now working on fixing the hole through the Fords fender. None of them have ever done any body work before but I hear they have a few ideas and a welding touch with full tanks. So glad I spent the day mowing as I am sure I could have helped, I always have cable in the Dodge! From Lake Iwanttobethere {145,023}

July 18, 2010

Some rain over night here at Lake Iwanttobethere but it is drying out nicely. Toying with the idea of going into town for breakfast. Yesterday I had a craving for some blueberry pancakes and since the wife had already left for work I went to the Sunshine Cafe for some. Walking into the dinner I hung my hat on the rack and retrieved my mug from the shelf. Pouring some coffee from the urn I went to the counter to get some sugar when I noticed several of the fellers sitting at the counter with their hats pulled down tight on their heads. Stirring the sugar in the mug I notice the first feller was missing his eye brows and his buddy was hairless all the way to his elbows. Nodding at both of them I turned away thinking the body work on the Ford seems to be going well.

I ordered up some pancakes with blueberries and drenched them with some Lake Iwanttobethere maple syrup. I paid the check and with a tooth pick hanging from my lips walked out to the Dodge. My son and two grandsons on bikes drove by and my son gave me half a wave as he went by. I could hear my youngest grandson yelling at his dad " If you don't stop you won't fall" good advice I am thinking. I watched as they rode down Main Street till they turned off heading towards the park. Thinking that as long as I was in town I should go over to the General Store and pick up some siding nails. I arrived at the store to find Big Earl working on a display of first aid kits. Saying HiYa I picked up my nails and asked Earl how is day was going. Said he had sold three first aid kits that morning and he heard the fellers were working on some truck so he was moving the kits closer to the door so they would be in easy reach. Nodding I paid for the nails and headed back to the Dodge.

Rest of the day was spent planning on what I should be working on. I have always thought that planning is a big part of any job. I keep telling the wife that you need to plan what you are going to do, just can't grab a hammer and start pounding nails anywhere. I seem to do my best planning fishing so I grabbed the small tackle box and two rods and made my way down to the dock. I pushed the old row boat out on to the calm waters of the lake and began to do some planning.

Thing is fish kept on interrupting my planning. I caught a few small bass on a paddle tail then picking up the other rod a few more were caught on a buzz bait. I took the paddletail off and tied on a spinnerbait which I caught several more bass on and then had a northern take a swipe at it. Looking through the box I found a top water stick bait and I tied that on replacing the buzz bait. No sooner had the top water found the surface than the bluegills would come up and make that smacking sound as they tried to eat something bigger then themselves. Going through the box I found a bright yellow ugly bug and switching again I was now teasing bluegills to come up and take swipes at the tangling legs of the ugly bug. I didn't even notice the Jeep returning home but did hear the wife standing on the dock yelling at me. Planing is just so hard to do when the wife is around. From Lake Iwanttobethere {145,842}

July 18, 2010

very nicely done. good luck.

July 20, 2010

Monday night was movie night but not the kind I am thinking you are used to. Out here at Lake Iwanttobethere we still have a drive in that is open for a few months in the summer. From mid July till late August you can still go see a movie at the drive in. By then all the boats and RV's that are normally stored there are finally all out on the road. The days of all you can fit in the car for five dollars are gone but for ten dollars you can still sneak a few in the trunk. The speakers hanging from posts where you park are gone, now you just tune in your radio. Double feature but I can't remember what was playing. Monday was opening night and it has been a long tradition that the Lodge members show their support. The old cars come out for the evening and just like back when we were in high school more time is spent looking under hoods and sipping from doctored coke bottles.

Wife's gather and talk about what ever it is when more then three of them come together. Car's park in the front rows and pickups in the back. I see the Ford that the guys have been working on roll in. The hole is gone but there are now singe marks the entire length of the truck. The flames look almost like they were made by a real fire. Sheriff Tim is here and from time to time I see he is tapping on trunks. We park the old Dodge almost in the middle, that is where my glasses allow me to see the screen the best. I tune the radio in and we wait as the big clock on the screen counts down. I actually like the radio better than the old speakers that you had to roll your window down and pull into the car. Never can get the windows closed all the way and the skeeters would find their way in.

The wife gets out to get us some hot dogs, soda and buttered popcorn. I stay in the Dodge and adjust the radio to get the best signal I can. The countdown hit's zero and the lights on the poles dimm the only real light is coming from the screen and the spot lights that show you the entrance to the cider block concession area and of course the rest rooms. After a few trailers about the dangers of smoking and keeping an eye on your kids the dancing hot dogs and boxes of popcorn appear. Well this is making me hungry and I start looking for the wife who has not yet returned. I get out of the Dodge and start heading in the direction of the concession stand. I am sidetracked by Gus who has a mini BBQ going with brauts. Hidden behind his truck he tends to the coals and soon I am joined by Skinny and Hammering Hank. I ask where Tess is and Hank tells me she went to get popcorn a half hour ago. I nod and start squirting mustard on my braut. I hear the clinking of bottles and here comes Hunterdown with a cooler. Reaching into the cold water with floating ice cubes he pulls out some long neck Hamms and with beer and braut in hand I lean up against the truck.

Another braut later and several beers later we are sitting on the tail gate talking about, Geeze I don't really remember. It did remind me a lot of what we used to do in high school. Seems we had dates back then who would disappear just like our wife's do now. When the first movie came to an end and the dancing popcorn boxes started to move across the screen. I made my way back to the Dodge and just got the door closed when the passenger door opened. The wife holding some cold hot dogs and some even colder popcorn climbed in and started to tell me about how she got sidetracked and do I know that so and so are doing.... I cut her off and told her " Hey I'm trying to watch a movie here" Putting the cold popcorn with in reach I leaned up against the Dodges drivers window and fell asleep. Yup, just like the old days, from Lake Iwanttobethere {146,668}

July 21, 2010

Sometimes here at Lake Iwanttobethere I feel like a tourist. Not a bad thing at all and I bet if you wanted to you to could be a tourist right in your own back yard. Sometimes we all get to caught up in the daily work grind and one day just folds into the next. Driving the roads we see these cars and trucks and RV's and they don't seem to have a clue as to where they are going on our streets. But if you stop for a moment, them RV's are here for a reason. Either they are driving through or here's a thought, they drove here. So when I say sometimes I feel like a tourist it is because I take time to become a tourist right here at Lake Iwanttobethere.

Yesterday I wrote about our local drive in, no big deal because we have one and even though it is open but a few months a year it is still open. From what I am hearing there are very few drive ins left anywhere and now people are thinking it's not a bad idea to take the kids to the Lake Iwanttobethere drive in before it to is gone and will be nothing but a memory. So maybe it is not such a bad idea to become a tourist at your end of Lake Iwanttobethere When is the last time you have looked around in your own back yard? How about the last time you found that little out of the way place that still has car hops? Sit down dinners with checkered tablecloths and a waitress with a bee hive hairdo? How about making a stop at that historical sign that you drive by every day but have never stopped to read what it says. Been inside the local museum? Do you even know where it is?

This time of year it is hard to travel to far without hitting a county fair. You park in a grass field converted into a parking lot and you join others walking across the hot black top of the entrance to the main gate. Tank tops and tee shirts are the uniform of the day and you can see the Ferris wheel rolling with colored shirted riders. Just inside the gate is a booth and you buy a few tickets for rides, The vendor tries to sell you a pass but you pass. Kids walk by holding hands of parents with the other hand holding a cloud of colored cotton candy. Mustard and catsup stains are worn on shirts like a badge. The deep mooing of cows and the smell of farm is in the air. You walk along and old memories are brought back. That young pretty gal when you were in high school you took once and spent almost your whole weeks paycheck trying to win a five dollar stuffed bear for.

A paper cup filled with more ice then pop never tasted much better and bumper cars are still the best ride. Nothing like accident after accident and getting to walk away from it all in the end. Having the sun set and being stuck in the Ferris wheel at the top. Looking down through the metal grate and seeing all the people far far below you. When you think of it now you must have been two hundred feet up in the air, well at least forty for sure. People watching and food tasting. When you are a tourist paying a little extra for a hot dog is OK, because it is not just the hot dog you are buying it is the memory of where you were when you bought it. As you get older you spent some time back in the animal tents. You look at three roosters wearing three different ribbons and try to figure out what the difference is between the birds. You see pigs as big as your freezer and you mentally tried to figure how you would get them in it. Fresh and I mean fresh milk from cows and apple pie that you tell your wife is not as good as hers.

As you might have guessed I hit the fair last night. Yes, I had a hot dog and a nice slab of apple pie. No cotton candy, it gets stuck in my beard. I'll be back to, nothing like the demolition races and fireworks afterwards. So call me a tourist, we all are here at Lake Iwanttobethere {147,718}

July 23, 2010

Turnover day here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Time of the week when the tourists who arrived a week ago now head back to their homes and are replaced with new tourists. Of course we would like to think that they are no longer leaving as tourist but are now considered part time or seasonal residents of Lake Iwanttobethere. In the past week those leaving have gotten to fish the waters of the lake, bike along the shoreline and have met several new friends here at the Lodge. Some will have found their way to the General Store and met Big Earl the owner. They might have been looking for something simple like a mantle for their lantern and have big Earl take them right to the rack where they are hanging. No pointing down an aisle at the General store, service is king there and you are waited on whether you are buying a mantle or a new lawn mower.

Some will have discovered Ma and Pa's grocery store and standing under the new single energy efficient light bulb were told a few stories by Pa as he sliced their bologna thin or thick for them. For others their noses in the early morning might have lead them to Amy's Bakery and the smell of hot bread fresh from her oven. After some samples they would leave with donuts and loose meat sandwiches for fishing later in the day. Everyone makes a trip to the Masterbaiters shop, entering to the cool quiet sound of the bubblers working in the several minnow tanks. Small kids looking upwards at big fish mounts and their fathers grins as they look over the wall of spoons moving slightly in the breeze from the over head ceiling fan. " Honey, look.. I have not seen that spoon in years and they have six of them here" Wife's in the beginning of the week just nod but later they return and buy one of the spoons for a future present.

Toes dangle off the end of docks and six year olds become experts at chasing frogs and sneaking up on rabbits. Teenage girls forget to turn on their phones and instead walk with the local boys to the ice cream parlor. Evenings find family's gathered together on screen in porches, candles flickering and mosquito coils burning. Frogs croak along the shoreline and crickets sing in the grass. A lonely loon calls out in the night and the brave six year olds sit a little closer to ma and pa. Stars rise up over the calm waters of the lake and kids point out the ones that are moving closer. Fire flies dance and wink off and on and parents explain the difference between them and the stars overhead.

Parents find their way to the Lodge and sit at the old hand polished bar. Square bottomed glass beer mugs leave wet marks on the bar top and smoke curls upward from cigars in round bottomed ash trays. Cell phones are quiet and a empty glass jar that once held pickled eggs now holds old beepers. Bartenders are called by their first names and customers the same. Sometimes even the dance floor welcomes a couple who move slowly together and dance to their own favorite song.

Some people are delaying their exit, having heard about the demotion derby at the county fair tonight. They wander around main street shopping and saying good bye to new found friends. There is always talk of returning next year and some will even make a point of it to return come hunting season. Small kids are overheard asking their parents if they can move here. New tourist arrive and point at they old tourist and refer to them as "Locals" little do they know that in a short week they will be standing along the side of the street pointing at the tourist as they arrive. Mid summer here at the lake and it's turn over day, but the lake is always just a short visit away, from Lake Iwanttobethere {148,816}

July 26, 2010

Silent Sunday found me fishing on Lake Iwanttobethere. On a whim I decided to take my old 1953 Whirlaway down from the wall and take it fishing. Many years ago I was given the old rod and reel from my neighbor Chuck who bought it at a rummage sale. From time to time he would mention that I never have used his present, so yesterday I took it down and put it in the Puddle Humper.

It took a few tries but I learned how to cast with it, well actually I decided that using it flipping style would work best. On my third flip I hooked up with a fish that quickly took me to a minnow basket hanging from a dock and I got hung in the rope. That should have been the first clue that fishing with a 57 year old rod was going to be different. Turning the handle picks up very little line and the fiberglass rod is about as sensitive as killing a fly with a sledge hammer. I moved around the dock and flipped at the corners. Moored to the dock was a boat and I got a decent cast back towards the bow and actually watched as the line started to move under the boat. A quick hard set, or so I thought and I was rewarded with a fish moving off and not being slowed much by the old drag. The drag didn't sing but sounded more like a 57 year old drag would, it buzzed and clanked.

I was thinking this is good, there is a working drag on the reel. Trying to turn the fish from the dock and boat was not working. I got a feeling there might be some weight to this fish when the bow of the Puddle Humper starting turning on it's own. The fish headed for the lower unit of the docked boat. With some luck I got her off the motor and turned her back to open water, the tip of the old rod was being pulled down towards the surface and I tried to keep it up. Turning the crank as fast as I could the old reel was only taking up inches of line at a time. Before I could turn her again she made for the trolling motor and wrapped the line around the shaft. This girl had been to the dance before! With my rod tip bowed and line wrapped around the shaft I saw her for the first time out in front of the bow. She came to surface and gave me a look and now I could see I had an easy four pound fish on.

A nice fish but what was going through my mind is this is a huge fish for this old rod and reel, It would be great to get her in the boat and get some pictures. In less time to write this she turned and lunges at the trolling motor and with a splash she was off. The last thing I saw of her was a smile as she slipped under the water and I was left with the dangling hook and no fish. I had the video camera on and caught it all, Keeping that in mind I did not really say out loud what I was thinking when she got off. I wish I had caught a few fish before I hooked up with her, But the story is better if I say I lost a big one five minutes after I started fishing. I fished a few more docks and I did catch a few fish with the old rod. With the sun setting I returned to the dock where I lost that big one. I tossed a few but I already knew she was gone. But stranger things have happen here at Lake Iwanttobethere {150,957}

See the video here http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...y_r#Post2319829

July 28, 2010

Monsoon season continues here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Last evening depending on where you were on the lake anywhere form one inch to three inches of rain fell and hail as big as golf balls took out some bird feeders and knocked down some corn. Today you can hear the sound of chain saws echoing around the lake as down branches are being cleaned up. Frank the plow driver was in this morning and has been busy grading the road washouts.

We weathered the storm here at the Lodge as we gather here in case our help is needed. Some of the older guys were already here as they are in training for the Lake Iwanttobethere senior tri- challenge. This year Elmer and Marv will form a team with Doc Burriem as their backup. The challenge consist of checkers, horseshoes and boccie ball all while drinking shots of Wild Turkey. Target shooting has been dropped from the challenge due to some problems and property damage done last year. Last night they were hard at it polishing up on their checkers and Wild Turkey sipping. The challenge will not be held till late in the summer but the guys like to start training early.

CB was crackling away and their were a few reports of some big gusts on the lake. Tinker reported in that he had to land and taxi in some ruff weather but the old plane did just fine. Another resort had to go out and get some of their clients off the end of the aluminum dock, they were standing out there with a large metal picnic table umbrella that they had borrowed toasting the coming storm. When lightning hit a spruce nearby the owner had a enough and dragged them back into the main building. Most of the weather went south of us here at the Lodge so we just sat out under the roof overhang and watched it rain. Looks like the campers down in the park were having a good time and I see there are a few less of them there this morning. Funny how a driving rain storm can get everything you own wet and saying it is guarantee not to get wet is not really a guarantee. At least there were no skeeters for a few hours.

All of this rain and we are just an inch or so above normal, guess that shows us how little rain we have been getting the past few seasons because it sure seems to have been raining a lot this summer. Earl at the General store is always busy after a storm. Rakes and tarps and rope sit in the rack outside the door. The postcard rack took a hit as it was forgotten about and a gust of wind knocked it down on to the sidewalk spilling cards. I found a card outside the Lodge door when I came in today. I added it to the pile where others have been found and placed. Earl will come and retrieve them and I am sure will sell them as "aged" cards at a special tourist price.

Well waiting for the grass to dry some and then I have to get some mowing done. With luck I'll get the rowboat out for some late evening fishing. Should do some painting but I have to pace myself, don't want to get to much done around the cabin while the wife is at work and can't enjoy watching me work. Matter of fact I think Elmer might have a few suckers in his minnow bucket, maybe I go over and borrow one. I think a sucker on a bobber off my dock is just the thing to pass some time while I wait for the grass to dry. From Lake Iwanttobethere {151,768}

July 31, 2010

Gus stood in the door way to my office here in the Lodge and watched as I moved papers and lifted boxes. Opening drawers and checking the screen of the computer. Finally he had to ask " Bobby, just what are you looking for?" I sat back in my chair and looked him straight in the eye and said "July, we are missing July" my desk calendar says it is July 31st, where did July go? Tomorrow is August and I am not done with July yet. There should have been more fishing done in July, more sweet corn and hot dogs cooked on the BBQ more berries picked and jelly made. More T-bone steaks sizzling on the rack below the tin foiled wrapped baked potatoes, more ice cold Hamms drank with bare feet resting against wet dogs just back from swimming.

Should have been more time spent at the county fair, more time walking along the deep grass of the river with rod in hand. More time with grand kids chasing fireflies or watching mayflies land on the water to be taken by hungry smallmouth. More time watching smoke climb into the sky from birch logs in dirt fire pits circled with hand picked stones. More time watching little waves form as the old row boat makes it way across the calm bay. Seeing dripping water from the oars as they are raised and moved forward to dip back into clear water. Ducklings growing and stretching wings. Loons calling in the night and bees buzzing in the daylight. There also could have been less rain falling and fewer sketters searching for you in broad daylight.

Ya, there could have been more July, but I guess we will have to make due with August. Sunsets will come a little earlier now. Stars will come out and twinkle and sometimes it will be hard to tell the difference between a firefly and a satellite in the night sky. Frogs will croak with deeper voices and crickets will always be in the background. Deer will have that deep caramel coat and fawns will be seen running a little farther away from their mothers. Walks in the woods may be interrupted by grouse and mental notes will be made to return to that spot come September. Skunks wander around at dusk and the little ones will grow bold and follow their mothers as they go out in search of their own dinner.

Trailers will find their way to the landing a little earlier in the day as boats go out on the water sooner since they have a few minutes less each day to fish. Dummies will be thrown into the water for dogs to retrieve and gravel pits will hear the word "Pull" as hunters start to practice a bit. The sounds of shotguns will echo and other hunters will stop what they are doing and listen to the sound. Last fishing trips for some are being planned and others are not so picky on the days they choose to fish now. Days can still get warm but the nights are just about right to sleep with the window open and maybe just a sheet. Cool breeze and morning dew greets you when you wake. Won't be too much longer and the cooler will be holding cocoa or hot coffee and the pop will no longer need ice to stay cool. Ya, there could have been more July but August is not all that bad now that I am thinking about it From Lake Iwanttobethere {152,489}

August 4, 2010

Busy day yesterday as I spent some time in town doing errands in the morning and trying to stay out of the wife's eyesight. Tuesday was National Watermelon day, I know this because the farm produce stands out on the highway had a big banner up and I stopped and bought a melon. I always shake my head when I stop at the produce stand. They make me envious when I see the size of their cucumbers and baskets of onions laid out on their tables, ripe tomatoes and carrots long and straight are stacked next to sweet corn and squash. I always think my garden is doing well till I see their stuff. I gave my garden a stern lecture this morning. Corn was told to stand a little straighter and the tomatoes to ripen quicker. The cucumbers, I had to move the leafs to lecture to them and I could not even find the carrots. Peppers were the only ones that are doing well and I just patted the sides of their pots and gave them a "that a boy"

I stopped at Amy's Bakery to pick up some day old muffins from Mini Muffin Monday, Always try to make it in on Monday but I was side tracked this week. Amy is always good to me and sets some of my favorites off to the side. With a bag of muffins secured I next had to stop at the candle shop ran by Mr. Wicks and his lovely wife Flicker. Elmer had ordered a five gallon bug candle, a big seller at the candle shop. Tourist often come in and buy one or even sometimes two of the large candles in the metal pails. I am guessing the skeeters that Mr. Wick has mounted outside his door might make people think that the huge candles are needed here at the lake. Mr. Wicks had Larry our local taxidermist make some oversized skeeters and even some black flies that he has nailed to the side of the building. A small sign under them says we grow them big here at Lake Iwanttobethere

With mini muffins on the front seat of the Dodge and Elmers bug candle secured in the back of the Dodge I headed home. I just got to the driveway when I saw the rear end of my friend's Gerry's truck heading up the drive towards the cabin. As I pulled up behind him he was taking his rods out of the back of his truck and looking at me he simply asked if I was busy. Well I can't turn down an offer to go fishing and the candle was hauled over to Elmers and I backed the Dodge up and pulled the Puddle Humper out of the boat house. Checking quickly to make sure the wife was not home I grabbed the always ready brown bag lunch in the fridge and loaded the cooler. A moment later and we were down the drive and heading to a distant access to the lake. As we rounded the first turn I might have seen the wife's white Jeep in the rear view mirror pulling in the drive but we were already well on our way.

I didn't need much of a reason to go fishing, the bass thermometer hanging on the garage wall was nudging ninety in the shade and the humidity was high. Since it was Gerry's idea to go fishing I let him pick the access. There is a bay that is full of bass and it is about one cigar away. Digging in his pocket he produce two cigars and soon we were puffing away with a breeze coming through the open windows. No one was at the access and we parked and walked across the road to the small tavern nestled under the pines. Buying a couple of Hamms we sat and sipped in the a/c of the dark main room. Spending a few dollars is always well spent as we chatted with the owner about fishing on this end of the lake. Finishing our beers we launched the Puddle Humper and five minutes later we had our first fish in the boat. A football sized bass was released and in the next four hours we landed twenty-nine more. Of course it did not come without a price as the horse flies took a few chunks out of us. A few nice fish were lost only to be added to the stringer of lost fish that always seem to grow in your memory. We made the drive back to the cabin listening to the baseball game on the radio and the lost fish were brought up only a half dozen times or so. From Lake Iwanttobethere {154,042}

August 7, 2010

I sat down at the table with breakfast already all planned out. I moved the filled salt and pepper shakers off to the side to give myself some more elbow room. Unfolding the morning paper I was pleased that I was the first to read it this morning. Taking the sports section out first I laid the rest of the paper on the high backed wooden chair next to me. Opening the paper I first scanned the Big Fish section and then moved on to see how the local baseball team did last night. I was out shopping and forgot all about the game on the radio. I heard the clunk of the coffee mug on the table and absent minding reached around the paper to bring the hot mug closer.

Some soft chatter in the background as the local morning radio show was being played over the old radio tuned in to KCUM A couple of guys were talking something about a Chevy transmission, I have a Dodge. Turning the page again I glanced at some golf scores before setting the sports section down and reaching for the local news section. Clearing my throat I finally got some attention and looking up I placed my breakfast order.

This morning I would like two sunny side up extra large farm eggs, Don't over cook them like yesterday, they should be just cooked enough so that when I dab them with the edge of my toast that the yolk will break and run. As for the toast I would like three pieces of wheat, brown but not burnt, lightly butter with real butter and some of that fresh raspberry jelly. A nice slab of honey ham trimmed would be nice, brown but not burnt and two strips of bacon, crispy! Make sure the American fries are well done and dice up some onions and sprinkle them on top right before you serve me on one of them preheated plates. Also some ice cold fresh squeeze orange juice in a big glass, not one of them little kiddie glasses. Looking up over the top of the paper I said "Did ya get all that?"

The wife looking back at me smiled in that very special way of hers and said "You can go to the cafe for that order, I going rummaging!" And with that she turned and walked out the kitchen door. Looks like it's Saturday here at Lake Iwanttobethere {154,880}

August 9, 2010

One of those nights where I am so glad that I don't live in the big city. Mid evening here and I was just sitting on the deck watching the sun dip lower on the tree line and waiting for the bass thermometer to start heading downward. Still hovering right around eighty and with the humidity it is a muggy muggy evening. The other night we got near four inches of rain and the ditches are full and the ground is wet. All you need to do is scrape the top a little and the dirt below is moist. Rain barrels are all full and the gardens are a little soft to walk in.

Puddle Humper sits quietly, all the hatches are open and the deck is scattered with tackle boxes drying out. Rain coats and life vests hang from hooks in the rafters, anchor rope is strung between a couple of nails. Water still is dripping from the drain, the plug sits on the rear deck. Lake is quiet, the sound of a yipping lap dog echoing across the water is the only noise besides that of the a/c making it's clanking sound as it tries to keep the cabin cool.

Early this afternoon one of the dogs was chasing one of the cats in the cabin, they were both walking. The wife is working afternoons so that just left me home alone. To hot to cook inside so I started a small fire in the pit and made quick work of a shore lunch. A couple of small blacken iron pans were soon hot with oil and tatters and fish were fried. An ear of corn turned in the coals off to the side and some strawberries along with a cold beer from the fridge were brought out. In no time I was sitting on the swing reminding myself it don't get much better.

Grand kids were here for a little while, just long enough to get wet in the lake and then turn the hose on their defenseless papa. Good thing I just happen to have a few pails of water hidden close at hand. The deck is still wet as nothing is in a hurry to dry. As we sat on the swings my youngest grandson sat dripping wet next to me. I pointed out a soaring big bird to him in the late afternoon sky. He covered the sun from his eyes with both hands and reported that it was a "Hog" Hog, I said, no it's a hawk! "No, it's a hog, that's what my dad calls them "Well I can't argue with that" Later my son told me the grandson is calling anything big a "Hog" I told him he better be careful around his ma. From a humid, warm but still a great night to be at Lake Iwanttobethere{155,409}

August 12, 2010

Ninety degrees in the shade and barely a breath of a breeze moving through the leaves on the trees overhanging the small stream. When it gets this hot I do what I did when I was a little kid, I head for the stream to go fishing. Nice thing about getting old is you have a lot of stuff. I am now at the age where I don't out grow or wear things out. I either lose them or they get borrowed out and don't return. After some digging in the closet I found an old pair of boots along with a pair of bibs with enough pockets to carry the little bit of tackle I needed and I was all set.

As soon as the wife left for work I was in the rafters of the boat house searching for that five foot ultra lite rod with the four pound line on it. Finding it and the small trout net I added a small back pack and the bag lunch from the fridge and I was down the drive and heading for McDonnell's farm. I knew it was going to be a good day when old man McDonnell was out working in his barn and offered to drive me in the tractor across the field in return for a few trout. Ten minutes later and I was walking through the deep green grass down the slope to wear the little hidden stream runs along his farm.

Talk about turning back the clock, only thing that had changed with the stream is that I am not riding my bike here and I don't have to hide when McDonnell drives by. Walking slowly down the slope I ease in to the water of the stream and feel the dry leather of the boots replaced by the cool water. Ankle deep, then mid calf it's hard to describe the cool water unless you have been there. Sun is blocked out by the trees and if feels like it is thirty degrees cooler. The frozen water bottles in the back pack thud together and I take out the round foam box of night crawlers that I bought at the Masterbaiters shop. Removing the lid and sitting right on top of the moss a fat crawler is just asking to be first.

Being careful not to hook myself I thread the crawler on the hook and putting the box back in the pack I move upstream. Moving slowly and carefully I feel the bottom with my feet as my eyes search for a likely looking spot to toss the crawler. I make a few drifts and each time the crawler comes back to me whole. Water is a little deeper as I come around a shallow turn and remember the bank from days long ago. A flick of the wrist and the crawler finds the far bank and no sooner does it sink and my line snaps straight. I lift the rod tip and feel some weight and just like that it goes limp. I reel in and find half my crawler gone, the part that was not on the hook. I flip it out again but his time with a little more attention. I feel a bump and raising my tip I am rewarded with weight, A quick dash and the line cuts through the quiet water before turning and rushing back up stream. A few turns of the reel and I wade a little closer.

Another short run and a ten inch rainbow lays on it's side in the grass of the bank. The one eye looking at me as I sit alongside. Slipping the back pack off I look inside for my camera, guess I forgot it. I take another long peek at the fish and slide her back into the flowing water, She pauses for a split second before rocketing away towards the far bank. A couple of gulps of the now melting water bottle and I put the pack back on and adjust the remains of the night crawler back on to the hook. A few steps back out into the stream and I am fishing again, from a warm one here at Lake Iwanttobethere {156,217}

August 14, 2010

Getting old does have it's advantages. Some of you are probably not thinking the same thing that I am thinking though. I am thinking more along the lines that now I can afford to do things and or make things that I did or did not have in my youth. Sitting on the deck after a morning of trout fishing my boots were almost dry enough to take off when my neighbor Chuck came over with a couple of ice cold beers. We sat and sipped and of course got to talking about the good old days and how on a day like today we would have gone down to the rope swing and did flips and twists out over the cool waters of Lake Iwanttobethere.

So as we sat I got to thinking maybe we should build a rope swing and this time do it right! I seem to remember the old rope swing was made from some rope that we found down by the railroad tracks. I think I still might have some scars on my hands from the ruff rope sliding through them. I also seem to remember tar or pitch on the rope that also made letting go at the right moment difficult at best. Well before you know it Chuck was on his way to go see Earl at the General Store and I was in the wood shop making a nice wood seat. The seat had rounded edges and was sanded with the belt sander and then a palm sander, no splinters would be coming from this beauty.

An hour later Chuck returned with a healthy length of soft thick dock rope and a receipt showing he put it on my tab. I had to redrilled the holes in the seat as the rope was thicker then what I had planned but then Chuck pointed out that I to was a little thicker. Elmer just happen to wander over and with his pipe glowing pointed out that I should perhaps tape up the knots so they don't unravel. Now we just needed a tree, Looking at Elmer and then looking at the big willow that hangs out over the lake and I think we found our tree.

Seat and rope was brought to the tree, I told Chuck "Well go ahead and tie it off" his reply was

" I ain't climbing no tree, I'm to old for that. Just as luck would have It my son and grandson came walking down the shoreline and ask what we are doing. The grandson looks over the seat and just says " Cool" my son says you will have to get me drunk to climb that tree. We stand wondering how we are going to get this rope over the big branch when my grandson hops up and runs up the tree and out onto the big branch. Balancing there he waves back down at us. My son, his dad starts to yell at him to get his butt out of that tree before he falls. Me being the concerned grandparent tells them both to hold up. I mean as long as he is already up the tree.....

Well the rope was pulled up with a smaller rope and tied off, the next thing was for someone to try it out. I was already in my trout fishing clothes and still a little wet and on a dare from Chuck I swung out on the rope first. I then swung back and declared it fit for Chuck to jump off. Before Chuck could beg off the grandson jumped on the seat and took off, he slid off the seat way higher then I would have and landed with a cannon ball splash in the lake. Just then the wife came down the trail and one look at the swing and us and that finger came out. She waged it back and forth saying there is no way you old coots better be swinging on that swing. Grandson, son, Chuck and myself followed her back along the path towards the cabin. Just as I turned to ask where Elmer was I heard a whoop! and a big splash, from Lake Iwanttobethere {156,558}

August 20, 2010

Been an interesting week here at Lake Iwanttobethere, started off with the red needle hovering around the ninety degree mark and humidity so high that the sweat dripping off you would not dry on the wood boards of the deck. Today finds us with a nice drizzle after a thunderstorm that seems to have lasted nearly all night. Number two grandson spent the night and he loves the rain. As a matter of fact when he heard there was to be rain he asked his dad if he could come here and spend the night because he knows we will be out on the covered swing. Just about his bed time and still no rain and he was running out of excuses to stay up. I finally agreed that if it rains turning the night we could go out.

Four a.m. comes and I don't know if it was the sound of thunder echoing through the cabin or the grandson poking me in the head that woke me up. " PaPa, it's raining!" And so true to my word we put on rain jackets that we had at the ready by the back door and made the dash to the covered swing. Bud got up and followed us to the door but no way was he going to go out in the rain. He sat for a while by the door and then he to went back to bed. No need to lite a bug candle, I don't think we could have kept one burning. A few moths flying near the flood light of the garage. Grandson asks me how they can fly in the rain, would not a big rain drop hit them? Hmmm, good question. Didn't have the answer for that one.

Warm spot at my side where the grandson was sitting close. He stares skyward hoping to catch lightning streaking across the sky. He sees a bolt and I hear him counting slow and out loud. One, Two, Three, Four, Five Boom))))))))))))) "That one was close PaPa" I bump him with my shoulder and he smiles, We both look for the next flash of light. From out of no where he says

" Good thing we don't have to shovel rain" I chuckle, yes it is a very good thing we don't have to shovel rain. Of course that got me to thinking just how one would shovel rain if one had to...

The thunder went away after a while and then the rain slowed some. No longer pounding the deck and running hard off the roof and shooting out the gutters. A few small branches had fallen as there was some wind. The grandson made a dash to grab one and return to the swing wet. He pulled up a pillow closer and leaned against me. After a while with no close thunder boomers all there was the steady sound of rain falling. The drops bouncing off the canopy and the table tops making popping sounds when they hit a chair just right. The wind chimes adding a few notes as the wind moves them. Another sound was added as the grandson fell asleep, some quiet snores that I had to strain to hear.

I moved him a little closer and thought to myself when the rain slows a little more I'll carry him back inside. But for now we both sat and enjoyed the falling rain and I found myself thinking what if we did have to shovel rain? From Lake Iwanttobethere {157,524}

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