So, really, is anyone surprised that we are only on blog 3
and I am already behind? Yeah, me either. It has been a start to the season
unlike any other. You would not believe me if I told you. With all the chaotic
craziness that has been going on I just want to take a moment to thank all of
you. Thank you for being supportive, thank you for being understanding, thank
you for just being there for us when we need it. You all are amazing, and we
would not be here if it were not for all of you, especially those from the past
two weeks. You know what I am talking about.
I would also like to announce I will not be leaving like I
thought I was, but I will in fact be here for most of the season. I am both
excited and sad. While I was looking forward to being home, I really do love it
here and will be quite happy.
Our second week of guests was a bit different than what we
are used to here. Typically, each cabin is a separate group of people and no
one really knows each other. Well this week, all but one cabin was together. Everyone
was so friendly. Maybe a little two friendly as on Saturday afternoon I was
treated to so much free booze and beer I was out of commission for all of
Sunday…oops. Needless to say I did not have anything to drink for the rest of
the week, and the running joke for the week was, “Maddie, want a beer?”
The week was also different for me, because this whole group
was new to me. Last time I had stayed in camp, they had come in the day I left,
and I missed all the fun. We were not short on fun this time though. Tuesday
afternoon there was an impressive wrestling match that took place.
The main this I want to touch on this week were some really
unique questions I was asked by the group. Questions that I had not really been
asked before, which I think are important.
The first question was, “How do you feel about camp?” This
is a question I have not had since we started up here. Anymore I am asked do you
like it up here, or what do you think of you dad owning this place. When I
asked how I felt about the camp, it was very refreshing. Quite honestly this
camp has become an irreplaceable part of my life, part of my history, and part
of what shaped me into the person I am today. I honestly do not know where I
would be if dad had not bought this place, probably applying for vet schools. I
really do not know. I feel this place is the best thing to happen to my life.
The next question, and my all-time favorite question ever,
was, “Do you appreciate it?” What he meant by this was, do you appreciate being
out here, the camp, and the opportunities you get from this? And the reason I
like this question is because the answer may not be what you think. Honestly,
no, I do not always appreciate this place like it deserves. You get busy, you
get tired, you get frustrated and you forget what this place is all about. When
the weather s bad, you get mad about the weather and forget to appreciate the
place as a whole. When you are working and cleaning, it is very easy to forget.
I have to remind myself more and more every year to appreciate what I have
here. I have to remind myself to look out over the lake on a nice day and take
it all in and really, truly see the beauty in nature. I have to remind myself
that hey, good luck trying to find anyone in this world who has had the same opportunities
and the same experiences you have had.
The second question ties into this final one. It was more of
a statement. During the week I had someone say to me, “You must be ready to get
back to normal life, this can’t be normal.” When he said that, I laughed and
explained that this life, it becomes your normal. You don’t look at it like it
is some crazy, adventurous thing you are doing. You look at it like wow it is
another season already. Wow it is time for dad to leave again. So, thank you
all for giving m something to really think about this week.
The fishing this week had just started to pick up due to the
late ice out, but that didn’t stop them.
Finally, congrats to Jim Denor! Your name was picked to be
entered into the drawing to win a free trip at the end of the season!
