Perhaps the ultimate lake vacation. Perhaps the ultimate family vacation. Perhaps the ultimate expression of he who is Clark W. Griswald. It starts before it even starts, in a van up I-75 full of people and dogs. A blurry line for sure.
Then a ferry ride, which is pretty much 95% of the entire value of the island vacation. The idea that if you miss a ferry you are stuck there until the next one. Maybe for the night. Goes back, perhaps, to the movie War Games where they miss the last ferry and have to stay the night. The first movie reference, but not the last. But we got to shadow a lake freighter on the way up.
And Calli was very keen to make the acquaintance of birds, waves, whatever.
So what do you do at a cottage on Pelee Island? Nothing. Well, maybe pick up a classic rock station from Toledo and sit around listening to music on a Friday afternoon. As I said, a lot of nothing.
Well, OK, some hairdressing.
And a ton of puzzles. My god, so many puzzles.
Even Jenga.
The first part was, well, pretty darn hot. Luckily the place was stocked with fans. But that created a breeze, and an iconic photo op.
One of the best things about this particular holiday was that it didn't just rely on Aunt Edna (or Bethany, or whoever) but two honest-to-goodness grandmas. Two. In one room.
At some point, though, being at the lake one yearns to go outside. Cole shows the familiar pose, only this time he gets to be part of the outdoor access.
Calli is all set to go to the beach - not yet, big girl. Let's hang out on the decks first.
Check out the light reflecting in the windows behind her highness.
Speaking of a perfect light....
The next battleground for the crips and bloods, the north shore of Pelee Island. Pelee4LIFE!!!
So then we come to the part where we get down to the water. The most perfect dock on the north shore or any other shore on the island. The dogs loved it maybe more than anyone. Calli, especially, wanted to engage. First to bite waves, and those birds - oh the things she would do to them if she could only span those 20 yards...
Eventually, the temptation dies and we just chill.
Then Eva, being Eva, broke into dance and song. I have the video to prove it.
Of course no island vacation would be complete without time spent on the various fabulous beaches of Pelee Island. This one is just East of Scudder. You know the one.
This one on perhaps the best beach of the island, the one at the end of trail on the south shore.
This one right off the dock!
While we were on the island, we definitely made time to celebrate Eva's birthday.
A handmade cake from the best bakery on Pelee.
Alright, I know you are asking at this point - what about the movie references? Where is the connection to movies? OK, here they come. First, the title. Geez, I'm going crazy out there at the lake. Who was that? The guy from Fargo (albeit second hand from the bartender who was shoveling show and/or ice). The same guy who played Donnie in - drum roll - the Big Lebowski. Which we not only watched (it was in the collection of DVDs) but vicariously lived through Connorlee's Bakery.
Second we see March of the Penguins. And something I'd been feeling came clear. The idea that males grab the egg and just stand over and tend it for 2-3 months, regardless of what else comes. Sure, some of the leave their post. But those that do... And the idea I'd been feeling since that trip up I-75 focused. The idea that this trip, as much as it has appeal for the ferry, nothing-to-do, etc. and harkens back to my own childhood memories of the Great Lakes, isn't for me. It's for the kids, in the attempt (and knowledge) that these experiences will be imprinted forever. It'll be "the time that we swam with the water snakes" or "the time that we got to hang out with Donna/Nana doing whatever," or "the time that I played pool with Alexis and dad."
And it was. It will be a mile marker of childhood, and it is worth every bit of effort put forward. Every one of the five or so pounds I gained while taking this whole week in. It is knowing that the mile marker was planted and can never be erased. Creating the perfect image of the Westview Tavern experience, here are some loonies, some quaffable Canadian lager, the Blue sign on the wall, the Legion-ish surroundings, and Levi crafting his corner shot.
The mile marker could have been laid in many places. Many lakes. But very few which were an hour from where I grew up yet a lifetime away. And no others where you can find such a deal on salsa.
All of this is the perfect backdrop for family portrait. Perfect.
Then a ferry ride, which is pretty much 95% of the entire value of the island vacation. The idea that if you miss a ferry you are stuck there until the next one. Maybe for the night. Goes back, perhaps, to the movie War Games where they miss the last ferry and have to stay the night. The first movie reference, but not the last. But we got to shadow a lake freighter on the way up.
And Calli was very keen to make the acquaintance of birds, waves, whatever.
So what do you do at a cottage on Pelee Island? Nothing. Well, maybe pick up a classic rock station from Toledo and sit around listening to music on a Friday afternoon. As I said, a lot of nothing.
Well, OK, some hairdressing.
And a ton of puzzles. My god, so many puzzles.
Even Jenga.
The first part was, well, pretty darn hot. Luckily the place was stocked with fans. But that created a breeze, and an iconic photo op.
One of the best things about this particular holiday was that it didn't just rely on Aunt Edna (or Bethany, or whoever) but two honest-to-goodness grandmas. Two. In one room.
At some point, though, being at the lake one yearns to go outside. Cole shows the familiar pose, only this time he gets to be part of the outdoor access.
Calli is all set to go to the beach - not yet, big girl. Let's hang out on the decks first.
Check out the light reflecting in the windows behind her highness.
Speaking of a perfect light....
The next battleground for the crips and bloods, the north shore of Pelee Island. Pelee4LIFE!!!
So then we come to the part where we get down to the water. The most perfect dock on the north shore or any other shore on the island. The dogs loved it maybe more than anyone. Calli, especially, wanted to engage. First to bite waves, and those birds - oh the things she would do to them if she could only span those 20 yards...
Eventually, the temptation dies and we just chill.
One day the waves picked up. In a big way. The kids were holding court.
Then Eva, being Eva, broke into dance and song. I have the video to prove it.
Of course no island vacation would be complete without time spent on the various fabulous beaches of Pelee Island. This one is just East of Scudder. You know the one.
This one on perhaps the best beach of the island, the one at the end of trail on the south shore.
This one right off the dock!
While we were on the island, we definitely made time to celebrate Eva's birthday.
A handmade cake from the best bakery on Pelee.
Alright, I know you are asking at this point - what about the movie references? Where is the connection to movies? OK, here they come. First, the title. Geez, I'm going crazy out there at the lake. Who was that? The guy from Fargo (albeit second hand from the bartender who was shoveling show and/or ice). The same guy who played Donnie in - drum roll - the Big Lebowski. Which we not only watched (it was in the collection of DVDs) but vicariously lived through Connorlee's Bakery.
Second we see March of the Penguins. And something I'd been feeling came clear. The idea that males grab the egg and just stand over and tend it for 2-3 months, regardless of what else comes. Sure, some of the leave their post. But those that do... And the idea I'd been feeling since that trip up I-75 focused. The idea that this trip, as much as it has appeal for the ferry, nothing-to-do, etc. and harkens back to my own childhood memories of the Great Lakes, isn't for me. It's for the kids, in the attempt (and knowledge) that these experiences will be imprinted forever. It'll be "the time that we swam with the water snakes" or "the time that we got to hang out with Donna/Nana doing whatever," or "the time that I played pool with Alexis and dad."
And it was. It will be a mile marker of childhood, and it is worth every bit of effort put forward. Every one of the five or so pounds I gained while taking this whole week in. It is knowing that the mile marker was planted and can never be erased. Creating the perfect image of the Westview Tavern experience, here are some loonies, some quaffable Canadian lager, the Blue sign on the wall, the Legion-ish surroundings, and Levi crafting his corner shot.
The mile marker could have been laid in many places. Many lakes. But very few which were an hour from where I grew up yet a lifetime away. And no others where you can find such a deal on salsa.
All of this is the perfect backdrop for family portrait. Perfect.
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