Independence Day

Every year, Carl and I are fortunate enough to grace the shores of Lower Bottle Lake and spend Fourth of July weekend at his family's cabin in northern Minnesota. The weekend consists of food, family, fun, fireworks, and (for me) a whole lotta lying around on the beach with a good book. I also get to work on my tan, go for a stroll through the woods, swim in the lake, and partake in boat cruises. Not a bad way to celebrate our nation's independence, if you ask me.

Over the years I have had the incredible opportunity to visit the cabin several times and, much to my amazement, nothing has really changed. Of course the trees are taller (as are all of Carl's cousins), but other than that I always feel as if we step out of the car into a part of our country that human hands have not touched. The beauty and serenity of the place still takes my breath away - sometimes literally when Carl actually talks me into getting off the beach and going for a bike ride or a run with him.

Impromptu Yoga Lesson midst a game of bocci

This past weekend we discovered turtles laying eggs near the swingset, I watched one of Carl's youngest cousins (Seamus) hide from fireworks only to create his own out of twigs the very next day, I saw another younger cousin (Finn) watch in amazement as his Uncle Eric gutted a fish that his cousin Katrina caught off the dock, I participated in two incredible family dinners where an amazing amount of coordination was required in order to prepare a meal for over 50 people (yes, Mary Jeanne said that's how many we had for dinner), I sat around a campfire while Carl and his cousins debated religion and politics (man, that's how you know you are getting old, huh?), and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of conversation that took place over those three days. It's amazing what happens when TVs get turned off and no video games are in sight.

Elton John (aka Finn) on the Fourth of July Boat Parade

Seamus helping Grandpa Dan drive the boat


A bunch of the cousins trying to sink the raft

I also had the scary (and exciting) realization that this summer is our last summer at the cabin without children. Carl's aunt Kathy pointed out that next summer we would have a little one crawling around in the sand and eating just about everything he or she can get his or her hands on.

No, not our children, but the youngest Schneeman grandchildren - Michael and Peter - were defnitiely the center of attention

A sparkler-filled beach after the tremendous fireworks show put on by Eric and Carl; however it would never have happened if Chris (although he could not be there due to Kingly duties) hadn't picked up the plethora of ammunition from Wisconsin

Jim and Gretta dancing after dinner (yes, dancing is usually a nightly occurrence while doing dishes and that sort of thing)

However, while my days of lounging lazily at the cabin may be coming to an end, watching all of Carl's cousins, aunts, and uncles and listening to their stories of what this place has meant to them has made me eternally grateful that our children will also get to experience the cabin and its wonders.