As I’ve mentioned before, part of the reason that we selected Walloon Lake for this trip (and other visits) is that many of our generations of cousins and siblings spent two weeks each summer at Walloon when we were kids. I was born in April 1974, adopted into the Goudie family a few months later, then immediately left for induction into the Walloon gang.
Walloon Lake 2014: Somebody Noticed!
A reader of this blog, a former newspaper editor who once ran this headline front page:
Mens' Dormitory Set for Erection
Walloon Lake 2014: The Hangover
After five days of reckless abandon, it took the entire morning to pick up and pack for departure.
Walloon Lake 2014: They Don’t Like Our Booty
The weather had turned back to beautiful as we started the day and surveyed the damage from the night before. This was going to be our boat day, and excitement was high.
Walloon Lake 2014: The competition
After the rain of the day before, we were greeted by a cold windy morning, where we again inventoried the damage from the night before and started the day off with an awesome breakfast prepared by J’aive.
Walloon Lake 2014: A Day of Meat
We once again arose, took stock of the consumption data from the night before, and ate breakfast on a beautiful windy morning.
Walloon Lake 2014: Parents of the Year
We began the day by inventorying the empty bottles and cans from the night before. I’ll also warn you now that there are a ton of pictures from Day Two, and more importantly, several videos at the bottom of the post.
Walloon 2014: No Kids’ Pop
We were the first to arrive (shortest drive), followed by the Bakers (Gus, Abbey, Maggie, Ben & Annie), Dave Strattons (Dave & J’aime), my brother Doug, and then the Jeff Strattons (Jeff, Leisa, Caroline, Teddy). The two cottages were quickly assessed to be perfect for this group at this time in our lives, and even welcomed us appropriately:
Whipping Walloon
On our way to Mackinaw City, we took the girls to Walloon Lake for a quick visit on a cold, windy June day. This was the first time to Walloon for all three girls. The car said the air temperature was 50 degrees and the wind was fairly constant around 30, quickly proving that we didn’t have warm enough gear, but at least it made the “Daddy can we swim?” question immediately moot.
Walloon Lake Sunset
I parked myself on a bench at the east end of the lake and waited for the sun to set, watching boats come in and out of the marina. It was worth the wait!