August 3
[Camp is experiencing rainfall of Biblical proportions. Looks like a good day for indoor sports . . . such as wine tasting.]
[This was the beginning of the deluges that have been hitting our part of the world for the last couple weeks . . . ]
[All good weather must come to an end. I think Willard Scott said that?]
[It really rained quite hard . . . ]
[Remember the campfire site – well, now we didn’t have to go down to the lake for swimming.]
[Oy!]
[But the skies cleared for the evening, thank goodness. It was our night for a pontoon ride around the lake and here goes the Super to claim the best seats.]
[It was a tad damp in the boat but here come the lifejackets to keep us afloat.]
[The excitment was palpable!]
[And away we go . . . ]
[I was a little concerned about our staff driver, Mikayla – she’s from Tucson so I thought this may have been the first time she’d ever seen water?]
[Our initial fears about being attacked by war canoes proved to be unfounded.]
[Joi d’vivre at this artistically renovated vintage resort! Beloved by guests for over a century, Victorian Village blends romance, charm and easy relaxation with modern luxuries. Guests may choose from a variety of accommodations to suit their taste–from quaint hotel rooms in the charming Victorian Inn, to one-, two- or three-bedroom condos in the popular Lakeside Suites located at water’s edge, or plush accommodations at the Grand Victorian Lady. Grand vistas of our 600’ of sandy beachfront warmly welcome you to Elkhart Lake and encourage you to enjoy many on-site amenities: watersports boat rentals, indoor pool and outdoor pools and hot tub, picnic areas, relaxing hammocks over the water, and lovely landscaped grounds. A bounteous wine list from every vital region on the globe, Wisconsin micro-brewed beers, and a fully stocked bar, entice even more lingering at our outdoor lakeside dining area. A must-see stop is the famous waterfront Barefoot Bay Tiki Bar with decadent Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, savory casual menu and refreshing cocktails, with free live music on weekends all summer long! For fabulous entertainment, the century-old theatre features renowned and acclaimed talent all year long. (elkhartlake.com)]
[Then the Tiki Bar at Victorian Village, our initial arrival point in Elkhart Lake.]
[Voted #4 among the Top Resorts in The American Midwest by Conde’ Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards 2016, The Osthoff Resort is a AAA Four Diamond premier vacation destination. It offers 245 spacious suites, each featuring a kitchen, dining and living room, TV, fireplace and private balcony. When you’re ready to dine, choose from two lakeside venues, Otto’s Restaurant and Lola’s on the Lake Restaurant & Lounge, both offering eclectic culinary creations while enjoying panoramic views of Elkhart Lake. Lola’s on the Lake also provides an elegant private dining room for groups up to 30 with its own fireplace and patio. Other resort amenities include a cooking school, indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and whirlpools, fitness centers, and game room. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, children may participate in an activity program and the whole family may join in on horse-drawn hay wagon rides, bonfires on the beach, and Coffee and Evening pontoon cruises. Rent a bike, kayak, canoe, hydro-bike or sailboat for hours of fun. Beachfront volleyball, basketball, tennis or nearby golf offers even more recreation. Stop in at the Lake Deck and enjoy traditional fun food at the beach – sandwiches, appetizers, snacks, ice cream treats, summer beverages and live entertainment on weekends. (elkhartlake.com)]
[The moon, the sky, and other things . . . ]
[And finally, the sun set beautifully behind the clouds.]
[Johnsonville brat house . . . ]
[And “home” again.]
Summer camps make a determined effort to hire staff members who meet the highest possible standards of maturity and responsibility. But eventually they give up and hire college students. ~ Dave Barry
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