Summer is Far from lazy these days - Part II

The week after we were at Put-In-Bay with our  friends from Cowjam, we were scheduled to take three of J's ten grandchildren with us to the boat. This picture shows six of them:.

Three of these -  he calls them the 'S' kids since all three names begin with S - had contacted us about going sailing so we set a date and this was it.

J had to sing on Sunday night at home, so I prepared lots of food to satisfy these young men, two of whom are vegetarian, on our three day trip. We told them we would pick them up at 8:30, but it took us until 9 to get everything packed in and drive over. 

We had to take two vehicles because we planned to pick up the two kayaks we were buying from friends in Port Clinton and needed the truck for that. Good thing since we could not get five people, coolers and all of our stuff in one. I took two of the boys with me in the car and Seth, the youngest, rode with J in the pickup truck.

Sam, the 16-year-old went to sleep in the back seat, but Simon and I talked as we rode. They had all been to Beaver Island where they go to visit their Mom's family each summer. Simon has been playing guitar and singing on the streets in East Lansing this summer. He has a unique style, a great voice and has picked up some spending money this way. I was very curious because J has expressed interest in street performing from time to time.

We arrived at the boat, loaded up and set off for Put-In-Bay. We moored and took the water taxi in, telling the boys to look around and arranging to meet in a while for dinner. There are so many hamburger places there, but with two vegetarians, we decided to try something new and stopped in at the Old Forge Cafe and Creperie. The waitress said we were a caprese family when Sam, Simon and I ordered a caprese (tomato and mozzarella cheese) crepe, wrap and salad, respectively. Everything was wonderful!

Back on the boat, we hung out for a while in the cockpit, and Sam and Simon each played some songs and sang for us. 

Seth asked for paper so he could draw. 

After awhile, I went to the aft berth to read my book, only to fall asleep. I awoke to hear J and the boys talking. He was telling them stories and asking questions about their summer activities. Then the guitar came out again and I heard them playing all the Beatles songs they could come up with. I got up and added a few to the list. Then J and I sang some duets for them. How wonderful to have such talented young folks in the family!

Next morning, J cooked us a scrumptious breakfast on the propane stove. We had to wake the teenagers to eat - boy, can they sleep! Then we decided to sail back to Port Clinton, since the weather report was uncertain as it has been much of this summer. We took out time crossing back and forth to enjoy the wind in the sails and gradually made our way to the PC Yacht Club where we keep the boat. Seth and Sam went swimming in the pool - the lake has been pretty chilly this year. 

Dinner was spaghetti, cooked by J again since I am a little afraid of the open flame stove. We supplemented with the fruits and vegetables I had brought along. After the meal, the boys settled in with the popcorn J made them to watch Moonrise Kingdom, a quirky movie that we had seen the week before and brought along. 

Then we went to the hill looking over Lake Erie to launch a hot air balloon candle for each kid. We did not quite know how to do it, and the first one crashed onto the rocks only to rise after we looked away and sail off into the night sky. The second one failed miserably because of the high winds, but Sam and I went to the parking lot and managed to light the last one. It followed the first one, heading out towards Put-In-Bay as we all cheered.

Wednesday morning we had another great breakfast and headed home.  I hope the kids want to come sailing again next year. Maybe some of the others will come too.