You Should Write a Book

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!

Cherish The Moment

“No use thinking of the past for its gone, don't think of the future because it has to come, think of the present because that’s where you are.”

Kazi Shams

When I write for you all, I try to think of or find a quote that sums up and puts into words my major feeling for the week. Well this week, I was stuck in the repetitive thought process loop of how we get to see each group for one week, and then we have to wait an entire year before we get to see them again. I had never really thought of it that way before. It has always been more of an I can’t wait to see the group next week, they are so great, type of feeling. Well this year I have had this mopey feeling all week thinking about how little time truly I have had to spend with you all. That was until I came across this quote.

I read it through a couple of times, and I thought, I have been going about this all wrong. This year, and at time in the years before, I had been too focused on past and the future instead of really living in the moment. I forgot, that even though I only see you for one week a year, the unbelievable relationships I have formed. The weeks may go fast, and sometimes they blend together, but I really truly cherish the time I get with all of you.

So, let this be your reminder to really enjoy the present. To hold and cherish the great moments and memories of the past, but not dwell on them. To look forward to the great things the future holds, but not to worry, or wish it upon you too quickly. Each moment is fleeting, time will never stand still, so don’t miss that moment, own it.

With that being said, I am going to cherish the moments of this past week. After about a week and a half, we have finally begun to settle down and get into the typical groove of camp life. You know, finally doing things like making dinner at a reasonable time, having everything open and ready, sticking to a consistent cleaning schedule, and re-learning that normal people change their clothes every day. Just the normal stuff everyone worries about, right?

All jokes aside it was the perfect first week. We had a small group, which was a great way to get everyone acclimated to what typical camp life would be like.

As usual though, it wouldn’t be right without some kind of a twist. On Saturday, dad’s friend Bruce decided to go to the WhiskeyJack for breakfast. Inside, he got to talking with some guys who, on a whim, decided to take a fishing trip and had not found a place to go. Long story short, I got a phone call from Bruce telling me he was sending to guys into Wine for a couple of days. The two stayed for three days and loved every moment of it. We were so glad to have them.

Also this week we made some improvements on the camp. We now have docks at the Trout, Loon, and Fish house!

The week brought with it some rain, which helped our water-level a bit. It is at the highest we have seen it in about two years which is great. The small week gave me a great opportunity to go fishing and I had some great catches (the biggest pike of my life included), but I was not the only one!

Disclaimer: all of my fish pictures are of Tyler and Pat because no one else has sent me any ( Thanks Tyler)

The winner for this week, for the final drawing at the end of the year is Bob Capp!