Travel Tales: August 2017

I’ve managed to paint with the group a couple of times this summer. Yesterday was the last Art Walk that the SWMLC will run. This land conservation group invites artists to paint and hang paintings to sell and their own members to visit and enjoy the land and the art. Attendance is down so they have decided to try something different in the future. It was a lovely day out painting though.

Wau-ke-na art walk painting. I was very glad to have that old umbrella to shade me. Painting may be finished!! I started another of the ragweed that may turn out interesting. Pond is to the left. At this point I had to turn and get into the shade and was trying to figure out what I needed to do to the painting before starting another.

Painting from Window on the Water Park in Holland. I will punch some holes in that green algae when I get a chance to paint.

Last post we were off to the houseboat adventure.

A month ago 12 of us traveled to Jamestown Marina in Kentucky with a ton of supplies to board the 84' houseboat I had rented for the week cruising Lake Cumberland. Three wave runners, two kayaks, a 9' float, and oodles of other water toys and games were loaded on board. And another ton of food. The Buelow clan does eat well!! It was 90 when we loaded. I was glad to be the elder and just stowed while they lugged things down the very long dock, launched boats, parked cars, got ice and blew up the floats.

With all the planning we did the meals were planned out and some frozen. We had a grill on board so steaks, chicken, Italian sausage and burgers were on the menu as easy and what everyone liked. Add to that some sides (risotto was a big hit), salads, appetizers, like goat cheese, Kerry Gold cheese, assorted munchies and desserts and we were golden. Breakfast was self serve except for the day we had pancakes. Of course kitchen duty fell to the "women" but we had some help from guys as well.

The "men" were definitely in charge of the boat under captain George. The rest were crew and were needed. Andrew, Steve and Sam jumped ashore to secure the lines when we tied up. A tricky business on the highly angled shale shores we usually found. Trees were a hazard and from the holes poked in the canvas rail, not everyone navigated them successfully. Our crew did really well and we found some beautiful spots to spend a night or two. Only a couple of mishaps of ledges crumbling, slips and scrapes. One scary moment was watching when Jeff jumped off the bow as we came in to a clay shore and slipped. From my vantage point he went under the boat as the pontoons were making shore. YIKES I thought we ran him over for sure. Fortunately he was just fine..seems the overhang on the boat is there for a reason!!

We swam, explored, ate and played games. There was a TV but no reception. Actually I liked that so we didn't have it on all the time with sports!! Some learned new games ..bar dice, and old, cribbage, and kept up a running challenge. My grandchildren are two almost 21, one almost 20, one 15 and one 13 plus Sam (Allie's friend) who was 21. They were huge help and had a blast enjoying each other. We missed Thomas, Paige's husband, but she kept him up to date with FaceTime...an amazing and wonderful invention.

Adults relaxed in the hot tub, swam and joined in the games enjoying the company of family. I can't thank everyone enough for joining George and I on the boat. It was wonderful to have us all together to talk and play. It's very rare to have everyone at the same time in the same place!!

Would we do it again? Maybe. Kris says a week was too long but then she is in the middle of taking over running a couple of the judicial courts (circuit and another) plus Friend of the Court in Calhoun County. She was in the middle of budgets and hiring plus having a huge responsibility ahead of her with hundreds under her management. (We're very proud of her BTW!!!) It was harder for her to relax with that on her mind. But the rest would consider it for sure.

I would recommend a good crew for such a large boat, and good planning!!

#402 bow forward. Open deck in front and rear as well as the whole top deck. Large open living space w full kitchen. W/D two bathrooms and six small rooms with queen beds and a sink. Beds were actually comfortable. This design had three up and three down. Up beds were 3' off the floor and down were on the floor. Always low ceilings over the beds but they were soft....good thing.