Wonderful weekend. Friday was a beautiful evening. I got home from
work and hooked up to the small boat, and headed for Carlyle. Didnt'
even change.Got tot he lake about 6:15pm and launched. Boat ran great
with no problems. lapped the lake a few times, and ran into some
people I've known for quite a while. stopped and tied on to there
pontoon and we sat there had a pop and yacked a while. Took back off
and checked out a couple little coves, then saw the time was about
8:00. Headed back to try to beat the flies and mosquitos. They're bad
there at mid spring. I made it to the landing loaded up and came
home. I would have loved to have stayed out longer but still had to
work Sat morning, besides the bugs were getting terrible!. Saturday at
noon, I closed shop and headed for the house. Took a shower got
changed and loaded a snack cooler in the boat and back to the lake.(60
mi. one way) I called the nephews in Edwardsville and asked if they
wanted to do some boating. "SURE!" I said clear it with your mom
first, then if good, meet me at the West access marina at 2:00, which
they did. Carlyle is about a half way point for the both of us.
Actually they werre running a bit late ( about 3:30) and I was already
in the water when they showed up.

They called me on the cell phone and I came in to get them. We didnt'
do any tubing, the water is still cold, but I took advantage of the
time to let the kids drive the boat and showed them how to safely
acceleerate, cruise, how to cross a wake etc, and keep their eyes on
whas ahead and whats beside and to always be looking. It's a huge lake
and with several boats out there you rarely see one coming close, but
I also said to never anticipate the other guy slowing down or watching
out for you. It's better to cut the throttle and swerve instead of
thinking he well. Also to watch to keep a good distance from other
boaters co9ming toward you because they may be pulling a skier that
may swerve out; kinda like jumping out from behind a tree. ie boating
is safe if you use some common sense.

7:00 rolled around and we headed in. Still time to do stuff on the
lake before dark, but I had too much to do at home to prepare for
Sunday morning. Took 'em to McDonalds and killed the fatted calf for
them, then we parted ways.

I would have loved to have gone out Sunday afternoon, but the temp was
hot (about 90 by noon) and I was dead tired. But at least I got a
couple good launches in already. Wish I could go back out Memorial
Day weekend, but I'll probably be in Kansas decorating my great uncles
grave (WWI veteran) and it will probably be the last time I go out
there.

PLUS an added bonus. The fuel prices here dropped from $2.89 USD a
gal. to $2.69 and that was nice seeing I burned up about 20 gallons in
the two days.

I hope to do a lot more boating this summer. It's starting out really
good. Another thing is that the experience over the weekend has given
a boost to get the other two ready. Especially the float for the 4th
of July.