hume lake

30 minutes into the trip.
wiggle, wiggle, sway, sway.
van pulls over to the side of the road.
"what happened?"
"trailer's got a flat."

So there, on the shoulder of the 99 Fwy, we thankfully ate the delicious lunch Mom packed while waiting for the tire rescue unit. And, oddly, it turned out to be pretty fun. E entertained us with various impersonations and S showed us a new dance he learned the night before. Before long, we were on our way with a new Hume memory to add to the scrapbook!

A few of this year's highlights:










Kayaking. Thanks to generous friends, we enjoyed having two of our own kayaks to use. I don't think anything beats the peacefulness of gliding across a still lake at 7 a.m. J took me out the first time and I managed to get in and out without tipping over - I was very relieved! The second voyage was with S in the evening. He offered gentle instruction on improving my stroke and we enjoyed light conversation while taking in the sunset. It was the perfect mother and son moment...until we were paddling back to shore. All of a sudden S's strokes became frantic and I could hear his kayak fast approaching from behind. I didn't dare look back for fear of tipping. Then I heard it. Dip. Slurp. Spray. The water canon stealthly hid in his boat made its appearance and blasted me. I had to choose between revenge and possibly tipping or taking it like a mom. I chose to stay afloat and paddle as fast as I could, which wasn't fast enough!











The Game of Life: E, S and M played a marathon round of The Game of Life. It was a vintage version which turns out to be much more involved than the newer editions. For example, did you know your children (those little pink and blue sticks) can have children? And you can have more than one job at a time? The longer the game went on, the sillier they got and the more they laughed. It was music to my ears.


And we observed our traditions:




















Our last meal at Hume is in the Snack Shack featuring Hume Burgers and Root Beer Floats.











The family picture on the rock staircase.











Hours reading on the deck.











And, of course, the licorice!














We said a tearful goodbye to the cabin. It's up for sale and like so many other things in our lives, it will change. Next year S will be graduated and most likely working. My sister's family is grown and making their own memories now. So, before leaving, we scouted out a few smaller cabins for next year and began looking forward to Hume with a different view.

and don't forget the......

We've been doing this with my sister's family almost every year for the past 17 years . Hume Lake. Same destination and same cabin for the last 10 years. Its our favorite vacation for just that reason. Nothing seems to change there. We arrive at the cabin and the first thing we do is look to see if anything is new. Nope. All the same. The dishes, the 50's retro green lamp, the Formica dinette set, the gorgeous deck and view, the Naugahyde brown sofas that stick to your thighs, the handmade afghans to bundle up in when the evening chill sets in, and the beloved lumpy beds. We can breathe a sigh of relief that nothing has changed and settle in for a week of fellowship, rest and rejuvenation. This year, as always, the rhythm of Hume will be a comfort.

There are a few added comforts we bring from home that are considered essentials (favorites that have evolved into tradition). We wouldn't dare arrive without the:

1. Tub of red licorice (from Costco because it's the freshest)
2. New stack of magazines
3. Personal selection of books
4. Chips and Salsa

All are packed and ready to go! Hume Lake or bust!!!!!

he's home

Yeehaa! With a sandstone heart rock in his pocket for my collection, our firstborn returned from a 10-day mission trip. On the Navajo reservation in Shonto, AZ, he and 100+ others provided manual labor for local families in need. S's team roofed three homes including a hogan. Their hosts invited them for lunch on Friday where they enjoyed Navajo tacos.

It was his first time away from home alone for such a long span of time. In spite of some personal challenges, S mustered his courage, packed his bags and embraced the adventure God had for him. I am very proud of him!....and very glad to have him home.