Boating days
When you live on a lake, holiday weekends are crazy busy. Any kind of size, color, or age watercraft you can imagine seems to find its way to water!
The powerboats and jet skis are out in force pulling waterskiiers and tubers or just zipping across the waves for the sheer pleasure of it. The occasional sail goes up on a windsurfer or dinghy, and a few dedicated anglers hang out in the less busy areas of the lake. There are dozens of pontoon boats, some plush, gargantuan, fresh-from-the-showroom models and other smaller, more broken in and well-loved. And, of course, paddlers are out in force, too, putting some miles on their canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.
As we celebrate Independence Day, the joy of being free on the open water seems appropriate. We all long for it and those who own a boat or have access to one are fortunate.
To me, holiday weekends and being on a boat encompass all the best of summer: warmth and sunshine, freedom to let loose and relax, and to share quality time with family and friends. There’s a reason they call it pleasure boating.
And remember, if you can’t get out on the water this holiday weekend, you can do it any other day, too. The lake (and your boat) won’t know the difference.
Select photos courtesy Clay Dobrovolec, Terhi Tuominen.