The Best of What's Around

Overall, I found that this was a strange summer for me - I was away from the lake and from my husband. I was lucky enough to spend both May and August long weekends in Saskatchewan at the cabin, and Jeff was here for July long. Not bad, all things considered.

But September long was going to be different. I was going to be alone and in the city (cringe). My friend Danna was kind enough to invite me (or, I may have invited myself) to her cottage at Lake Kashwakamak for the weekend. We were accompanied by her awesome co-worker Sherri, as well as her dad (who is also pretty swell).

I had a fabulous time. As many of you are aware, my cabin is located in a townsite, so it is different than the typical lake experience. Lake Kashwakamak reminded me of Lac La Ronge. This was more like Jeff's lake experience: boating, relaxing, more boating, etc.

I didn't do a lot of water sports growing up so I am not a pro-star at them. It took me ten tries to get up on the wakeboard. You should feel bad for the people in the boat who were waiting their turn. I finally figured it out though (on day 3) and enjoyed myself until I face-planted into the lake. Felt great.


Danna was so much more graceful than I.


We all managed to get up on skis. This only took me four attempts. Not bad...only everyone else got up the first time. I am so skilled.

Danna is awesome, again.
Don't mock my awesome skills :P

Sherri just looks so darn happy.


We also did some tubing: singles and doubles. Who bailed on the doubles tubing? This guy!


I also did a few more things for the first time during this trip. I drove a boat (forgot to put it in neutral when I was done), I rope swung into the lake (bruised my palm. seriously) and I cliff jumped into the lake.

The cliff jumping was an adventure. You see, I have this fear of "low heights". I am not necessarily freaked out by being in a plane, but put me on a ladder or, well, a cliff, and I am not a happy girl. So on day 2, myself and Mike (a friend of Danna's) decided we were going to give it a shot.

There goes Mike.


And wait for it...

Wait for it...

Ya, no. I climbed down. I couldn't do it.

The next day, we go back out there and this time Sherri, Mike, Graham (Danna's friend Andrea's boyfriend) and I climbed the cliff.

Sherri jumps...

Graham jumps....

Both boys jump...

and....

and...

and eventually...

I finally did it! It only took me around 30 minutes to get up the nerve to do it. And what motivated me, you ask? Well, the song "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band was playing from the boat. Ya, that's right. I would do anything if you add a little Dave.

So overall, it was a fantastic weekend. We had great food (a turkey one night and a roast the other!) and an honorable mention goes to Andrea for making the best s'mores I have ever had; she is a s'mores pro-star.

I can't wait to go again next year :)

"You wear nothing, but you wear it so well" - DMB