TheOphoffs.com

We started our trip with a stop at the Birch Run Outlets. 8/9

And you can't stop at Birch Run without stopping at A&W for floats. 8/9

Well, floats AND lunch, that is. The A&W way. 8/9

We arrived at Walloon Lake around 3pm to high wind and waves. 8/9

But the color of the lake was as beautiful as we remembered! 8/9

That truly is the color of Walloon Lake - such a beautiful aqua.

With all that wind we spent the evening inside reading books. 8/9

Yes, all of us spent the evening reading books, feet propped up... 8/9

Then we drove into Petoskey to catch the sunset from Sunset Park. 8/9

The puffy clouds made for a phenomenal sunset! 8/9

And since the trees got too tall we had to stand on the stairway to see it. 8/9

Ummm... is Calvin floating back there, or did he just get really tall? 8/9

It's really nice to have another photographer along. 8/9

Gangster and moll. 8/9

The final moments of splendor. 8/9

Cortney and Curtis, Sunday AM after running. Note the ski caps on the boaters!

Calvin loved the hammock. 8/10

Jon enjoyed the hammock, too, while the lake was still a bit rough. 8/10

Yep, late Sunday morning the lake was still a bit rough. 8/10

Rough lake or not, we enjoyed being there. Curtis and Patty on the dock. 8/10

Family dinner picnic style! Justin, Polly, and Lonnie... 8/10

Uncle Smokey was there also, and of course the Hiller and Ophoff clans.

The kid loves his corn. 8/10

After dinner Polly and Justin took us to their ranch to ride. 8/10

Polly and her Quarter Horse, Skip.

Calvin was really excited about Skip. 8/10

He wanted to ride all by himself, so we obliged. 8/10

This was Cavin's fourth time riding solo, but the biggest horse he'd been on.

He absolutely loved it, and went around the ring several times. 8/10

Polly and Justin were very patient with us. We had so much fun. 8/10

Photo op... 8/10

Jon's turn... 8/10

Patty's turn (she's a natural) 8/10

Just and Polly, ever so patient. We can't thank them enough. 8/10

Cortney's turn. Cortney and Patty even trotted solo (trotting = sore behinds)

Monday dawned bright and calm! Here we are on our way to the boat. 8/11

Here we are in the boat on our way to the bar for lunch... 8/11

We went through the river into Burt Lake... 8/11

Using Calvin's terry robe as a head scarf. Very inventive, Gram! 8/11

Puttering along the river in the no wake zone... 8/11

Out in the open lake at last! 8/11

Shooting up at Hoppies. 8/11

Who do you think is winning? I think Curtis took all. 8/11

Burgers, beers... and applesauce. 8/11

We docked at the far end of the lake for our traditional Hoppies lunch!

After lunch we anchored on a sandbar to get our exercise. 8/11

Here's Calvin getting ready to jump in! 8/11

Can you tell it's a bit cold? Burt is deeper and colder than Walloon. 8/11

But we all braved it anyhow. 8/11

Calvin wanted to play with sand from the bottom... 8/11

Drying off and warming up before motoring for home. 8/11

Here we are back in the river. Calvin loved these signs! 8/11

Calvin reading the "sloooooow - nooooooo- waaaaake" signs for all to hear. 8/11

Helping Uncle Curtis drive (don't worry, it's at a snail's pace). 8/11

This is after he tried driving with his feet... 8/11

Back at the cottage, enjoying wine and the sunset on the dock. 8/11

Well, not everyone was enjoying the wine. 8/11

But we all enjoyed the sunset for sure. 8/11

Tuesday was an even more beautiful day. 8/12

So we spent the whole day on the dock. (Curtis and Calvin) 8/12

Calvin learning to splash mommy with the shovel... 8/12

Daddy removing the shovel to stop the splashing. Note the evil eye... 8/12

Playing with sand. 8/12

Synchronized Swimming? 8/12

"I'm eating over here so nobody else will get my watermelon!" 8/12

Playing the "you fill my cup with water and I'll douse you" game with gram.

Everyone enjoyed a snacky lunch on the dock. 8/12

Resting a bit after lunch and margaritas. 8/12

there's that "fill my cup and someone gets doused" game again. 8/12

Maybe he thought this was easier than getting IN the lake? 8/12

Somehow it seems a bit wetter, though. 8/12

At least in the face. 8/12

Evening swims are the best (Cortney and Jon). 8/12

Curtis said "make shapes" (Patty and Cortney) 8/12

Patty in a child's float sombrero. 8/12

The final sunset of our trip. 8/12

Calvin taking packing very seriously by staying out of the way. 8/13

This guy was playing on the dock before we left - we think he's a mink! 8/13

Saying goodbye to the snail trails in the bottom sand. 8/13