We spent the last week at the Lake of the Ozarks. The weather was great, not
too hot. The week was filled with activities!!!
We also hung out at the pool for hours, ate well, BBQ’d and had a number of ‘adventures’!
One day the boys went trout fishing at Bennett Springs State Park. We didn’t do to well but caught enough for dinner. We had three on the
stringer when we began to pack up and make the 50 minute drive back to the condo. Brad and I were about to pick up the last pole and our tackle box when an elderly lady asked Brad “Do you want to land her?” I looked and her fishing pole was
bent so it was obvious she had a fish on it. Brad said sure and I grabbed her net to help capture the rainbow trout. After I had the fish in the net she asked me if I wanted it. It was perfect, we had four for dinner and Brad could say he caught one! Here’s a picture of me cleaning the catch!
Another day was spent at Big Surf Water Park. We’ve been going to my dad’s place at the Lake for twenty years now, Big Surf has been open for the better part of that time and I have never been. The kids, both big and little all had a great time.
My brother in law also turned forty while we were there. Amongst other events, we stopped into one of our favorite local establishments; Woody’s. It’s a real dive, with cheap Busch Beer (a St. Louis thing) and free shuffleboard. Here’s a picture of the birthday boy and his friend Jose!
I have a second week of vacation scheduled this week. I discovered last year how increably relaxing two back to back weeks can be. The second week will include a few days with family, chores and more ‘Brad-Dad time’. A few rounds of golf, the pool, a movie or two.
My sister and nephew came in from Ohio. They drove over from St. Louis with my younger brother Dan. We mostly just hung out, went to the pool and ate way too much food!
Thursday night Brad is throwing out the first pitch at the Kansas City T-Bones game. The T-Bones are our minor league baseball team. Mary and I bought this at a cancer charity event last year. He’s a little nervous but we practiced today and I’m confident he’ll throw a real nice strike!
The best part of the both weeks was the amount of time I got to spend with Brad. To see his face change from disappointment to joy when laniding the fish was priceless!!!!
Father son, father daughter and family memories are one of the most precious gifts to share with one another. They don’t have to cost much money at all but they certainly last a lifetime.
God Bless.