Fishin report for Lake Iwanttobethere..

[Bobby Bass]

It usually starts about mid week, the phone to the Lodge here starts ringing. Who ever is closes to that end of the bar will answer it and then depending on how many Hamms have been put down a conversation will take place. The guy on the other end will say that he once was up to the lake or a buddy was or he heard from a friend of an uncle who has a cabin on the lake anyway that is how he got the Lodges number. The conversation on this end goes something like Ya,, Ya O fer shure, Ya, you betcha! And then the phone is set back on the bar or sometimes actually back on the cradle. The questions are always the same, how are they biting? How is the weather? Is there still any room to get a sixty foot camper in at the campgrounds and is it OK if I bring my dog and can I get ice there?

I was standing near the end of the bar looking out the big deck windows. A guy and his wife were backing a sixty foot trailer in between two other trailers. They had taken the other guys clothes line down, I am thinking his stuff was dry, and were now trying to slip their trailer in between. This was their third attempt that I had seen. The first two they were to close and could not open the trailer doors so now they were trying to angle it some. I see the picnic tables from the softball field area have been relocated to the public launch and camping area. A little while ago a few guys came in the Lodge rubbing their shoulders. It would appear they had tried to remove the picnic table out side the Lodge back door but the 3/8 aircraft cable that Hammering Hank had attached to the leg stopped them cold.

Sheriff Tim and his dog Bailiff have been busy, as no matter how many signs are posted people try and pitch tents on the softball field. Tim has to redirect the campers and Bailiff knocks down any beers he sees and then laps up the suds. A pretty good dent in the wood piles as it is a cool day and that by itself is a good enough reason to start a fire in the rings. Lights are on in the fish cleaning house and guys are giving other guys tours. They wander around like a tour group holding cans of beer in one hand and smoke coming from cigars in the other. They will walk out on the dock and look at the water, the waves will slap up against the dock and depending on how many are in the group the dock will bounce a little from their weight. They will turn and head back to the parking lot as another group will replace them on the dock.

They will all end up hanging on the side of a pickup with a trailer and boat attached. From here you will see arms outstretched as they point out areas on the lake. Of course we all know they are saying something like. " You see that point there, ya that one. Well, you go to the right of that about a half a mile and you will find them fish stacked in there this time of year like cord wood" they will then wink at their fishing partner and say to the guy. " Sure, Glad I could help a fellow angler" From Lake Iwanttobethere {133,912}

[Bobby Bass]

Tick Tick Tick... Many an office has heads watching clocks today. Guys playng with pencils while making sales calls under the humm of fluorescent lights. Some are working half days waiting for lunch and punching out for the week. Other are busy looking over their shoulders as they read articles about fishing conditions and search the gas price site. Still others have web cams up watching ice melt and wind moving water. A few wonder why these web sites don't have sound so they can hear the waves and that seagull that just flew by. Plastic bags of fishing lures and reels await in the bottom drawer of the desk. Been meaning to get them home and in the garage but now either today to tomorrow they will have to be brought home. For some it's no big deal, for others they have to get the bag past the sergeant at arms to the security of the boat locker.

Like little kids they fidget in their chairs. Checking the weather channel and bring up satellite maps of there lake, zooming in on that walleye point. Of course the picture is three years old but it does not matter. The point is there and the fish will be there come Saturday. Lunch will be here soon and out the door you will go. A few side looks from fellow employees who have to finish out the day or worse yet have to return tomorrow, the Friday before opener and work till closing. You plan on being well on your way to meet up with your buddies at the fish camp.. Fish camp, same as deer camp but now instead of going out the back door heading into the woods you will go out the front door and head for the dock.

I was out taking my morning stroll here at Lake Iwanttobethere and I sat for a spell on the bench under the street light. A little to cool for just a wind breaker on so I had to add a hooded sweatshirt under it. Overcast skies and a little breeze some dampens in the air. Lake is gray and has a nice walleye chop on it. Already down at the access and campground some of the prime spots near the waters edge have been claimed. Trailers are blocked up and rain fly's attached. Picnics tables moved closer to the fire rings and a rope strung between two birch trees to hang a lonely wash cloth. Guys with jackets sporting names of fishing reels and patches saying "Lunker Club" on the shoulders move quietly around the trailers. No kids, no women are seen. Not even any young fellers. Mostly older guys who have the vacation time to spend on being the first advance members of there groups. They come ahead to stake out a beach head and then will await the rest of their party to show up in the next few days.

Sorrel boots are long gone, as are the bomber hats. John Deer hats rule the day as farmers are in town conducting business. Pickup trucks drive up and down main street stopping at the General store and then on to the feed mill. Hammering Hank and Skinny drive by with a load of dock wood in the back of the truck. Still working on putting docks in and making repairs. Car wash is quiet, just a blue Honda coming out wet and clean. Tomorrow will be the day, tomorrow you will have to wait to cross main street. You will have to look both ways as traffic will increase with pickup trucks and campers. Shinny boats and trailers with clean black tires will be pulled behind suv's There back windows blocked out with sleeping bags and coolers. You will have to wait for a parking spot down at the Masterbaiters shop or park along the access road and make the walk. Empty bait buckets will go in and come back out leaving drops of water as they are loaded into the back seat of the waiting car. Right now they are more precious then anything in the boat.

Yup it's getting closer, fishing opener that is. If you are one of the ones who has to work till five on Friday well I'll try and keep a spot open for ya here. If you have a satellite map of the lake on your screen well zoom in to main street here at Lake Iwanttobethere. Look for the street light and the bench under it.... . I be the one waving at ya... from Lake Iwanttobethere {134,244}

[Bobby Bass]

Looking out over the waters of Lake Iwanttobethere this morning is like looking at a blue carpet with a bag of colored marbles spread across it. Of course the marbles are not marbles but boats of all shapes and colors bobbing on the water. Groups of boats dot the surface and of course there are some singles spread out. From time to time an engine will start and a boat will go up on plane shooting across the water leaving others to wonder if they are in the right place. Second day of fishing and things have already slipped into a routine. The urgency of opening day is gone and with a nights sleep and hours on the water the routine has been found.

The Lodge was busy as those who did not find fish yesterday came in for supper or prepared a poor man supper at the campfire. Nothing wrong with a poor man supper, A fire is started in the pit and as soon as the coals are a nice cherry red the old cast iron pan is set on them. Potatoes that have been sliced thin are added to hot oil and turned with an old spatula. A can of beans is added to a small pot and set off to the edge, close enough to get heated but not burned. After the spuds have been turned several times a can of spam is opened and then cubed. It is added to the golden brown taters and just before serving a handful of diced sweet onions are added. Meals like this were cooked all around the lake last night. The only difference is instead of spam some guys had golden fried walleye with crispy coverings and flaky white meat. To them this was a rich man supper and all it takes is a good pull on the rod and supper goes from poor to great.

Today at the Lodge guys were in and looking to pickup forgotten supplies. Yesterday brought blue bird skies and today will be the same. Forgotten sun cream is needed by mid afternoon and today more then one guy sports sunburned arms and red necks. Clouds came rolling in early evening and the day cooled. Campfires were needed to take the chill out and of course to cook meals. The low sounds of muffled laughter and clanking of pans was common at sundown. By ten when the freight train rolled around the far side of the lake I don't think anyone was awake to hear it. Grown men slept like little boys dreaming of another day of fishing and another day on the water here at Lake Iwanttobethere {134,602}

[Bobby Bass]

A couple of days into the fishing season and we are already in the groove, well some of us are. Fishing was slow on the opening weekend but that didn't stop anyone from going fishing. Campground was busy all weekend and there are still guys who have taken the week off for their first fishing vacation of the year. The weather has been dang near perfect as the nights have not been to cool but the days have been the kind you dream about as you hunker over an ice fishing hole with a north breeze running up the back of your coat. Water is cool but warming slowly, no one is swimming not even on a dare.

There were more than a few rich mans dinners made over the weekend but there were just as many poor mans being cooked to. Nothing real big being caught but some stories about a few that got away. Usually they were never seen and the line broke or a knot came undone. Landing was a busy place and more then a few guys have forgotten how to back up a trailer over the long winter. Vicki down at the Masterbaiters shop is a busy gal as she is there from early morning to late at night. Like a pied piper the minnow truck has a following of fishermen as it comes down the road to unload at the shop. Guys line up at the tank to pick out the one that is going to catch the big one for them. Even though guys have had all winter to get ready for fishing almost to a man they line up at the counter buying more hooks, bobbers, jigs and of course some beef jerky. With the warm weather the ceiling fan is on and the breeze makes the wall of spoons quiver a little. The sunshine coming through the window reflects off the spoons and cast reflections like one of them seventies disco bar mirrors that of course no one ever went to but everyone seems to know about.

Guys come into the Lodge at dusk and with a look of contentment sit out on the deck with their feet up on the rail and a cigar resting in their hand. The setting sun reflects off boats at anchor and the wind carries the sound of motors as other troll the big flat. Lights are on out at Root Beer Island and Mindy and Mandy are doing a brisk business selling their root beer. Some fishermen are really making the trip to the island to get a drink not just a look. Nytelyter business has expanded a little and for those who can't get bait from Vicki they are now stopping at the island. We should not forget about the turkey hunter, Several nice birds were shot over the weekend and there is a table of guys at the Lodge who are bragging away about beards and spurs. A little something for everyone here at Lake Iwanttobethere {135,008}

[Bobby Bass]

Wedding anniversary yesterday, thirty-three years, had plans to go fishing but the kids called and asked their grandma if she would watch the kids. Seems they needed some alone time. So what was to be a quiet evening fishing in the little bay became a circus here at the cabin. Funny how the quiet is shattered as soon as four grand kids exit the mini van along with a hundred pound lab. The Lab, Buster goes to run the yard with Bud and Barney, well Bud and Barney trot Buster who is five years younger runs and shows off. Grandkids split off in to four directions and off to four impending problems. Number two grandson heads to the shed to see if the keys are in any of the garden tractors. Number one son heads to the fridge to see if there is any chocolate milk. Number one granddaughter finds nana and wraps her around her little finger. Number two granddaughter comes to me and asks if we can go fishing..

Half hour later granddaughter and I are sitting on the dock watching little bobbers float with pieces of nightcrawers below them. Can hear the sound of grandma yelling in the cabin as it sounds like the grandsons have found one of the cats and are chasing it in the cabin. All three dogs join in the chase as they are not after the cat but just enjoy being in a chase. A moment later kids and dogs are ejected from the cabin and grandma with a broom in hand stands at the door looking for me. I try to make myself small and hide behind my fishing pole. Dogs head for the woods and kids once again spread out.

Grandma starts the bbq and the steaks are no where to be seen. Instead hot dogs and hamburgers start sizzling. The oldest granddaughter is placed in charge and she watches over the dogs and turns them. Boys start bring out the bottles of catsup and relish. Plastic cups find their way to the table and chocolate milk is poured. They sit waiting for the hot dogs and savor their milk like it is a fine single malt, sipping just a little at a time. Bobbers still sit quietly on the surface, guess the kids have managed even to spook the blue gills away. Number one grandson wins the right to ring the dinner bell and starts pounding on the bell attached to the cabins deck railing. Even though I am maybe fifty feet away he bangs the bell as if he is calling me in from across the lake.

I sit at the table and watch as the daughter makes my hamburger for me, she likes a lot of catsup so she really squirts it on my burger for me. I get three pickles arranged evenly and one small slice of onion directly in the center. Dogs are now all on the deck patiently waiting for something to drop and there is some quiet as we are all eating. Except for grandma, she is busy dapping cheeks with a napkin and passing out chips. No matter what I had planned for her wedding anniversary this is what she would rather be doing. From Lake Iwanttobethere {135,640}

[Bobby Bass]

A nice night the other night, I sat on the swing relaxing and waiting for the forecasted rain to appear. The air was heavy and being so noise carries well across the lake. The first thing I did notice was as it got around seven or so the seagulls started flying low and quick just above the pine tops heading in the direction of the approaching storm. I watched as in twos and threes they swept by, silent not like the crows who squawked away as they too flew in the same direction. The thing was and I can't say for sure if these were the same birds I would see flying back the way they came but only now they were riding the thermal maybe a thousand or more feet up. Like a dang amusement ride the gulls would fly towards the incoming storm, ride the thermal in front of it upward and then float on back towards me. I think the crows were trying to do the same but didn't have the hang of it.

From quite a distance I heard the freight train coming, with the heavy air the sound of the motor roaring and clickie clack of wheels on tracks could clearly be heard. Even the bell was heard as it weaves it's way through the trees. Speaking of trees everything is green but the leaves are small the wind goes through them instead of moving them, Blossoms from apple trees fall and roll across the grass. With the recent rain the peppers and tree frogs are back at singing at dusk. It was quiet there for awhile but they were making up for it. Add in the robins who always seem to have the first word in the morning and the last word at night. A few barking dogs sounding bigger then they are as their barks echo across the lake. The soft purr of a motor just above an idle is heard next as a pontoon chugs it's way a cast away from the shore. Sitting on the swing I raise hand over head and give a short wave. Two hands return the greeting from the pontoon, the other two hands hold on to rods trailing line and trolling bait in the wash behind the motor.

What little wind there was is now suddenly gone. You can clearly hear the crackle of the fire in the pit and for a few moments I can even hear the click of the wall clock on the cabin's outside wall. The first splat of a rain drop hits the roof of the swing and makes a small echo. The next is the sound of a drop hitting the fire pit and being swallowed up by the flame as it was nothing. The robin goes quiet, I am guessing it has worked it way closer to the trunk of a pine tree and sits and watches. A few more drops fall and then a few more, I pull my feet in and settle back in the swing. Making sure my cigar is burning a cherry red I let a long puff out and watch as a little breeze takes it away. The first long roll of distant thunder is heard and I look at empty sky, The gulls have ended their game and gone where ever they go when it rains. A flash lights up the sky and I count to myself waiting for the rolling thunder. Looking out at the lake I see lights going on as the sky is getting darker, the pontoon boat is gone. I am sure I am not the only one sitting outside, waiting for the rain. From Lake Iwanttobethere {136,084}

[Bobby Bass]

Bass season has started here at Lake Iwanttobethere and you can see the action of the first day here.

Look for more this summer as we bring the lake and the guys from the Lodge to you.

[Bobby Bass]

Going to be one of them days. No, not that kind of day! It's going to be one of them nice days. Early morning here at the lake and already it is nice enough out that no jacket is needed. Just a little breeze coming off the lake and a blue sky with just a few small lazy clouds. I came in early here at the lodge to help Gus out but it is quiet. The past weekend was busy as it being the holiday the town was full of tourists. For us it is just another day, a Monday. Shops are open and of course the smell of donuts and bread is in the air from Amy's bakery.

From my vantage point here on the deck I can look out over the lake and the landing. A few boats are within sight, the morning sunlight reflecting off of them sitting quiet on the calm lake. Several campfires are going down at the park. The quiet banging of pans and the smell of coffee in the air. No double latte with soy milk and two shots of whatever being poured this morning. I am guessing it is mostly black with a few coffee grounds that got past the used filter. Still it might be the best mug of coffee they have had in a long time. Bacon seems to cook better on the fire and seems to get real crisp. Might be because when cooking outdoors you don't have to worry about smoke in the kitchen. You can let that bacon sizzle away in that cast iron pan and when the time is right eggs will join the bacon. Toast is made with one of them teepee thingies that hold the bread up as you toast it over the fire. One side gets brown the other side is either uncooked or burnt. Does not matter as you are going to cover it in jelly anyway.

Kids who would not go near the outhouse on Friday when they arrived are seen marching off with a roll of paper today. No big deal now just as long as that big spider does not come back. Seagulls are just about done. They came in awhile ago and marched across the park cleaning it of anything that could be eaten. When they reach the end of the park they take off as a group on some unheard or seen command and head out to where ever they go. Crows in two and threes start flying over head only landing if a garbage can lid has been left off. A lazy morning and many will be packed up and gone by mid afternoon. More will leave well before dusk and only a few will stay for another night. Town will get a little less busy and you will be able to walk across main street without waiting for a car or truck to pass. Yesterday a couple of hybrid cars were racing on main street. The only way we knew they were racing were their lights got brighter.

A good weekend, even for Vicki down at the bait shop. That lady is something. I was in there picking up a new trolling motor plug for the Puddle Humper. Seems I should have replace that when I put the new trolling motor on and she was patiently answering a few questions from a couple of fishermen. I didn't catch the start of the conversation but what I heard was these guys were asking questions about finding fish on the lake. Always a good source of information are the bait shop people but these guys were asking for GPS locations, the depth, color of jigs, weight of line to be used size of bait and the exact time of the bite along with how many fish would they each catch. Then they waited for their quarter change from their big scoop of minnows. Vicki just smiled and wished them good luck. Have a good Memorial Day and remember who we honor on this day, from Lake Iwanttobethere {137,093}

[Bobby Bass]

Being the Manger here at the Lodge does have it's perks. Like yesterday a guy came in looking for someone to cut a few trees at his cabin. I looked around and neither Hammering Hank or Skinny were around so I asked him just what kind of trees he had and what did he need done. He had three birch a pine and a medium size Maple that was right close to his driveway and he wanted them all cut down. All he wanted was them to be dropped and then cut into some six foot lengths that he could then cut to stove length. He would do all the topping and would haul away the brush to his burn pile. A fairly easy straight job so I told him I was not doing anything in the morning and I would come out and drop the trees for him.

I asked the daughter if she was busy and she was not so we loaded up the old Dodge with the chain saw, a ladder and a long rope and we drove around the lake to the cabin. Looking over the trees we settled on a price and he left to go into town. I find it is always better not to have the home owner around when dropping trees. The pine came down easy enough, we made quick work of it and cut it up into lengths that his wife could drag to their brush pile. Next was the maple, After doing some figuring and some mental measuring we notched it and then put a rope on to help make sure it would fall across the drive away from his wife's flower bed. A few minutes later and the tree was down. We cut off the top and started to limb it so it would be easier for the guy to cut up. When we got to the crook it got a little interesting.

We had wedged a log under to help support the tree and I started to cut the tree in half as I got halfway through the tree broke. The daughter stepped in to give it a swift kick opening up the tree and a rotten center. Now this was interesting, the center of the tree was moving and suddenly heads and tails appeared. I had cut into a nest of squirrels! The daughter gave that little girl scream as the squirrels decide it was time to abandon nest. I guess the landing had made them a little woozy as they did not really run from the nest but kind of staggered out. One of them must have mistaken the daughter as a neighboring tree and leaped to her pants leg. Climbing her leg the daughter went into one of them modern dance moves trying to shake the squirrel. The squirrel made it almost to the daughters chest before she grabbed it and tossed it to the side. The other squirrels scattered and scampered into the woods.

I tried hard not to laff. I was trying to act as the concerned parent but as soon as the last squirrel disappeared the daughter told me it was ok, I could lower the chain saw now. We cleaned up the driveway of broken branches and decide with the wind picking up and dark clouds approaching we would cut the birch trees another day. That and the squirrels had returned, and they had brought friends. We could not help noticing the eyes watching us as we worked, from Lake Iwanttobethere {137,216)

[Bobby Bass]

HiYa from the Lake, with rain in the forecast for the next several days I got together with my neighbor Chuck and we did some fishing. Notice I said fishing because we did not do a lot of catching. We towed the Puddle Humper over to this stump filled bay and with a decent evening we thought we would find the fish up in the shallows. We did find a lot of sunnies on the bank but only a few bass and a few northerns not even big enough for canning. So we spent a lot of time just chatting and trying to stay untangled from the brush on the shoreline that we were fishing. Funny how when we are at the Lodge we talk about fishing and when we are fishing we talk about the Lodge.

Chuck asked if I have been to the new store out in the middle of the strip mall. The new store called Right Close advertise that they are Right By the half Broken Freight and Salvage Shop. Interesting place Chuck says, they say they have a "Full Price" sale everyday and no coupons are ever needed. There pricing is very interesting as they have done research that shows people just don't do the math. They have a lot of stuff priced 1.19 each or 3 for a five dollars. Surprising how many people bring three up to the cash registers. Chuck said he met the manager a guy called Onion. Big guy, Chuck said a really big guy. Chuck told me he asked the guy why they called him Onion and the guy just looked at Chuck and said " Because I make people cry" Was a good enough answer for Chuck.

While we were out on the water we ran into Pierre a part time fishing guide and part time logger. He has been hit in the head a few times from falling trees and as a matter of fact has a metal plate. The plate got magnetize when he worked as a crane operator at Mikes scrap yard. Since he shaves his head clean he now keeps extra jigs and leaders on the side of his head when fishing. This is a little unnerving if you don't know Pierre. Young tourists think the look is kind of cool and ask him a lot where he had it done.

While were out we shot some more video but most of it had to be deleted as we tend to talk about stuff that others should not know. Actually fishing was so poor that we starting making excuses to each other by the end of the night how it was just good to be out in the great outdoors and enjoying the weather and friendship. We both fished a little harder after that line was exchanged. From Lake Iwanttobethere {137,675}

[Bobby Bass]

Lake Iwanttobethere fishing video for June 3rd 2010

{137,715}

[Bobby Bass]

A rain day here at Lake Iwanttobethere, not coming down hard right now but if you stand outside you will get wet. If this was fall it might be consider a good duck day. Not cold as the red needle on the Bass thermometer is hovering right around fifty-five. Tree tops are moving a little from the slight breeze and them dang robins have found something to sing about. Mowing was on the schedule today but that is not going to happen. So with the Puddle Humper snug and dry in the boat house I started to open hatches and go through tackle boxes. Already after being out a few times things need to be put back in their places. I might carry a few to many tackle boxes in the boat, so I went through and did some sorting and some cleaning. I did add another tackle box as I needed somewhere to put all the new paddle tail baits that I bought. But I did sort through the worm boxes and managed to remove one so I stand even.

Batteries are charged and the deck rope is coiled and in it's place. Rain suits are checked because if there is a break in the weather I might just go out for awhile. It is after all just a little water falling. The fish don't know it's raining, well maybe they do but they live in water so how is rain a bad thing for them? Fifty-five out in June may be called cool by some, if it was in October it would be a warm day and you would have to go out in it. Funny how in the early part of summer we get picky on the weather we need to go fishing but as summer flows into fall we are not worried about a little rain or wind.

Grass is green, plants are growing in the garden, Old goose is patrolling the shoreline. Ed and Eddie the squirrels are robbing the bird feeders every morning. What ever seed they knock out of the feeders the dang pigeons find. Bud don't like the pigeons and races in his old man gait to run them off. Pepper over at Elmers has found a new ground hog family to chase. Elmer just shakes his head and makes comments about that fool dog. Matter of fact Elmer is out sitting on the end of his dock fishing right now. Has the blue rain fly strung up and I can see a little steam coming off the mug of coffee he is holding in one hand while he fiddles with his rod in the other. Seems every year he finds a bigger bobber to tie to the end of his line. This year it looks like he has a volleyball on the end. I keep telling him if he would go get his eyes checked he could get some new glasses and then use some smaller bobbers.

Well the wife just came out to the boat house and saw me working on some tackle, her comment was that you are not going fishing today are you? So guess I am going fishing. River is calling me I think and then maybe the fire at the Lodge and a few Wild Turkeys to warm me up.. From Lake Iwanttobethere {138,094}

[Bobby Bass]

Sometimes ya just got to go fishing... It was raining off and on yesterday and I was going to mow but grass was just to wet. I then decided to go on down to Dels Sub and Pizza Shop and get me a nice thick one. Del was there and not much was going on. Well before you know it he offered to supply some subs if I took him out fishing. Sounded like a good enough reason for me.

About an hour later we were at Minnow Bay and for midweek and not the best of days I was surprised by the number of trailers at this out of the way landing. With the wind whipping at about twenty miles an hour and dark clouds covering the sky we made sure the rain coats were with us and a couple of towels just in case. Ten minutes later and I was thinking this was a pretty good idea going fishing as I had already boated three plumb bass all right around fourteen inches long and missed two more. Had a pair of bald eagles fly over head and got buzzed by Tinker in his twin prop seaplane. We worked our way up the lee side of the bay and we were catching fish and trading barbs between us.

What little sunshine we had slipped behind some even darker clouds and fishing got a little tuff after that. We were still catching but not as quick or as big as what we started out. I did come up on a pair of sleeping loons who gave us a nice long look at themselves. I should have had the camera with and I would have been rewarded with a few nice shots. Not to much longer after that and we came up on several geese and their young. They were not going to fly but just kept their distance from us and the boat. No sooner had we returned to fishing then a large bird I could not see what kind, swept down and snatched a fish from the surface. It went in the other direction calling away as it fought with the fish and trying to get some elevation. The day was turning into a real nature show, Loons, Geese and Eagles, O My!

With a few more boats having launched while we were out we decide to get off the water before the rush at the landing started. We made quick work of getting the Puddle Humper up on the trailer and out of the way as the line started forming. As if on cue the wind died and the lake went calm. This always happens to me but when we checked the log we had landed eighteen fish and lost at least six more, not bad for a spur of the moment fishing outing. The sub was not to bad either, from Lake Iwanttobethere 138,421}

You can watch it here

[Bobby Bass]

Rain fog and some scattered drops falling from the trees is what I am seeing here at the lake this morning. Fog is so thick you almost have to walk out on the dock to see the waters of Lake Iwanttobethere. Change over day here at the lake, this is the day when most of the tourists coming in pass the ones who are leaving. Past week has been a poor week for fishing as it has been raining most of the time. Not everyone comes for fishing though. Marv and Elmer have been busy at the smoke and book shop helping customers with cigars and magazines. A few books have been sold and someone always seems to be sitting in my donated recliner.

There was a day midweek where I did get out fishing and the wife greeted me on my return. I pointed my finger at my son who in turn blamed me for going fishing and not mowing the lawn. The next day I headed in the direction of the boat house and was caught halfway there by the wife. She redirected me to the shed that houses the tractor and I was bribed with the promise of apple pie in exchange for mowing. I did get the back yard done but it started to rain again before I could get to the front. Good thing I did mow a path to the dock as the grass is now belly deep on the dogs there.

Greenhouse is filled with green and the wife is behind in transplanting, She was on vacation and it rained just about everyday. This however has not stopped her from adding on to her Honey Do List or starting projects and then leaving them for me to finish up on. Grand kids are taking turns doing over nights. I now have a Sponge Bob poster in my bedroom, seems I needed one badly as I was informed by my youngest granddaughter. With all of this rain I went to check the water levels in the rain barrels only to find the one by the greenhouse empty. I guess it would help if the grandsons would stop leaving the spigot open and the hose lying on the ground. Boys are enjoying the low spot in the yard as it is a natural place to put the slip and slide. Grandma is not so happy that they are using their bikes to ride through it and it has turned into a mud slide. Does not help that their uncle showed them how to "Lay down" their bikes so they can go through sideways. After the first attempt to come into the cabin they were order to rinse off in the lake with their clothes on.

Am thinking maybe I should go fishing, to wet to mow and if I stay in yelling range the wife will find some project to start on. Can't go over to Elmers as he is down at the store or he and Marv will already be out crappie fishing. Was at the Lodge last night and got into a game of "Name that Scotch" kind of like "Name that Tune" or you only you do it with shots of scotch. Just on the off chance those tourists are still looking for me I better stay away today. Well hoping you have a sunny day where you are, from Lake Iwanttobethere. {138,566}

[Bobby Bass]

A long time ago I learn that there is nothing I can do about the weather. Actually I may have learned that at a young age, forgot it and then as I got older relearned it again. This morning I had to run to the Lodge to escort a vacationing couple out to their cabin that they had rented. Actually Reed the Realtor had rented it but as a favor I was filling in for him. The Lodge is a good place to hook up with people as everyone here at Lake Iwanttobethere knows where it is and we have a good size parking lot. So I was sitting in the old Dodge smoking a cigar and watching the rain fall on the windshield. The radio don't work so I didn't have anything to distract me while I just watched people coming and going. Not even Bud would take the ride with me as he made it as far as the deck door at home, saw the falling rain and returned to his rug in the den.

So anyway I am sitting in the truck and I watch as a couple with two youngsters get out of their min-van and race to the overhanging roof of the Lodge. Well the adults did, the kids walked slowly with heads tilted back and tongues out trying to catch falling raindrops. The adults ran like half backs around the puddles trying to stay dry. The youngsters were more like fullbacks and just plowed through the puddles as if they were not there. The mother yelled something at the kids while the father wiping his eyeglasses with the tail of his shirt looked over the main entrance to the Lodge.

Just when it looked like the kids were going to make it to the Lodge steps they spied the last puddle. The older one or at least the taller one stomped in the puddle sending a spray up at the smaller one. They both laughed and then climbed the stairs to disappear behind their parents into the Lodge. No sooner had they gone in then Elmer and Marv drove up in Elmers pickup. The two got out of the truck and taking their time walked across the lot towards the Lodge. The light rain falling down on their balding heads they walked through the puddles in a straight line to the Lodge. When they got to the last puddle they both paused and looking at each other they stomped in the puddle spraying each other in water, laughing they climbed the steps and went into the Lodge.

A couple of eight year olds and a couple of eighty year olds both enjoying the rain because they know there is nothing much they can do about it. My cell rings and Gus tells me the couple that I am to meet are there in the Lodge. I tell him to send them out to the Dodge. I start the Dodge and back up away from the Lodge putting some more puddles between me and the door. From Lake Iwanttobethere. {138,961}

[Bobby Bass]

What a night for sounds around the lake here last night. I was sitting on the covered swing waiting for a thunderstorm that was on it's way according to Sunshine Ray. I had a glass of soda sitting on the table and with the so called calm before the storm surrounding me you could hear the ice cubes shift in the glass as they melted. The dogs walked across the wood floor of the deck and you could hear each paw as it scrapes the deck before being lowered and then lifted and set down again. The swing itself creaked from time to time as I slowly pushed it back and forth with my foot. A few drops of rain from time to time would fall on the roof of the covered swing making that splattering sound. A few more would fall in the fire pit and just disappear in the flames licking at the birch logs that I had burning.

Robins could be heard, not as main singers but there just in the background. There songs mixing and combining with other birds to make a quiet but filling noise. The star of the night as in most nights is when the freight comes. You can hear across the lake the steady roar of the engine and the ringing of the bell. The air horn is heard above everything as the train rumbles through crossings. The train overwhelms all the other noises and as it finally moves off the other sounds returned. The robins and some peepers, the deep croak of a couple of frogs down by the bull rushes. The splash of a fish and the quiet rings on the water from the spot. It took me a few times to place it but there you could also hear the sound of an aluminum bat. I remembered that the church league was having a double header tonight to make up for a rained out game. I focused my attention in the direction of the softball field and now I could hear the bat and some faint cheering. If I was there I'll wager I would hear the sound of the buzzing lights and "Hey batter batter, Swing!"

The bluish gray wall slowly coming across the lake showed where the rain was marching in my direction. It might have been my imagination but it sounded like the sound of the bat was in a hurry now, trying to get the game in before the rain arrived. The ice cubes shifted in the glass on the table and made that clinking sound as they fell on each other. Dogs shifted on the deck and the swing creaked again. The fire crackled and there was a pop as something in the fire exploded in a small fireball. Another drop of rain hit the wind chimes and a quiet tone rang out. The robins were gone I tried to listen for them but the background music had been changed. Now a slight breeze stirred the tree tops and leaves rustled against each other.

The old wood row boat tugged at the yellow ropes and then banged up against the dock bumpers. A new noise is heard as the wife is starting to close windows inside the cabin. The click of the latches catching and blinds being lowered. Bud and Barney standing and stretching looking at me as they made their way across the deck to sit at the deck door. The wife opens the door and lets them inside and just looks back at me and shakes her head. Another drop of rain hits the roof of the swing and the first long rolling rumble of thunder comes across the lake, the rain is getting closer. From Lake Iwanttobethere {139,594}

[Bobby Bass]

Sometimes fishing can be good, sometimes fishing can be outstanding! Sometimes fishing can be so good and outstanding that no one believes you when you tell them it was the best ever. Then there are the days that are not so good, not even fair but are so terrible that you don't want to tell anyone but when you do they nod their heads with total understanding and don't doubt a word you say. Well fishing on my birthday my 684th to be exact was Outstanding!

Outstandingly bad... I am going to write something I don't thing I ever have before, I was skunked bass fishing, Yes, I know hard to read let alone write. Not a single bass, not just me either my son never saw the fin of a bass, not a swirl or even the ring of a splash on the surface of the water. All we caught was a pair of twenty inch northerns, and saw some blue gills and thousands of minnows in the shallows of what is normally a good bass bay here at Lake Iwanttobethere. It did not just end with that though, The flies worked me over like I was the buffet table of an all you can eat wedding with a cash bar. The day was warm, a light wind and the water was fine but not a fish anywhere that we could find.

One big northern did make a follow all the way to the boat and the son was stammering a little when he said he had a big one follow. But that was just a tease that was seen early in the evening. We did see wildlife and that became the high point of the fishing. I had my hat cam with and I did get some of it but most of the time the camera was laying in the bottom of the boat as we were catching nothing. We did see two loons as soon as we got there, some turtles sunning on a log. A deer scamper from the edge of the lake and shortly after another try and jump a twenty foot stretch of water between an island and the main shoreline. She failed and made a splash more like she was doing a cannon ball.

A big blue heron took to wing in the shallows and if we were smart we should have followed in his direction. Even he was not catching any fish. Some geese were spotted in a yard doing the waddle and when we loaded the Puddle Humper on the trailer a chipmunk was there to see if we had any of our sandwich left to share. We were back on the road by eight not even staying to see if there was sunset bite. I for one did not want to be the late snack for the skeeters. A few rabbits scamper along the side of the road and then as we made the turn on to the blacktop a fox and two of her kids were playing alongside the ditch. I pulled over and shot some video and walked right up to the ma who posed for me. That was kind of strange but the entire afternoon had been the same way. I guess in the end it was not all that bad of a 684th birthday, From Lake Iwanttobethere {140,538}

[Bobby Bass]

What a nice day! Sun is shinning with just the trace of a few biscuit white clouds in the sky. I lean back in the covered swing with a few extra pillows behind me. A glass of ice tea filled with the big cubes rest close at hand, the condensation from the glass forming and creating droplets that join together to run down the glass to pool on the small round cedar table. I can hear the snoring of Barney under the swing as he to is enjoying this fine summer day.

From time to time I will take the plant watering bottle that I have set on fine spray and give it a couple of squeezes. The fine mist lands lightly on my face and with the little breeze it is like Mother Earths own free air conditioning. Birds sing in the back ground and I can hear one Robin with a strong voice above the others. Bees to what they do and that is buzz and zig zag as they go from flower to flower. I watch as mayfly hovers and then makes a light landing on my knee. With wings tucked it just sits there and we look at each other. A dragon fly moves in and it hovers looking like a big helicopter compared to the mayfly. It makes a quick inspection before pulling up and flying away.

I sit back a little deeper in the pillows and closing my eyes think it just doesn't get much better than this here at Lake Iwanttobethere. As I lay there I am wondering to myself why my face feels so damp, somehow I must have bumped the spray nozzle and my little spritz feels like a squirt. Why now is the wife deciding to drag furniture around in side the cabin? I can feel the rumble of the couch being moved or is she moving the table on the deck.. I fight the urge to open my eyes, I don't want to spoil the moment. A cloud must have moved in the way of the sunshine as I don't feel the warm rays on my pants anymore, as a matter of fact I almost had a chill there.

Robin stops singing and the wind chimes are banging away louder then when I had first sat down. Come to think of it these cushions are not as comfortable either. The buzzing of the bee is gone and it is replaced by a tapping sound that seems to be getting louder. That spritzer bottle is getting annoying as the last spray I had to wipe my face with my hand to wipe the extra water off. Little chill in the air now to, must be a bigger cloud then I thought moving across the sky. With a loud BANG I open my eyes ready to yell at the wife "What are you dropping next to my head!"

To late I realize I have been dreaming and the cloth top to the swing flips and I am trenched with rain water, the sky is dark and another peel of thunder rolls across the lake. Barney is inside the cabin looking at me through the closed glass deck door. I should have known it was a dream, sunny day, Ya right.. From Lake Iwanttobethere {140,806}

[Bobby Bass]

Silent Sunday and other things about Iwanttobethere.

Since you have been reading this for awhile or perhaps just stumbled across our little town here, you should have heard the term Silent Sunday. Well silent Sunday is just that. It is meant to be a quiet day with no spoken word. When the town was first settled back in the 1800's it was a logging town and as the woods were cleared the farmers moved into the fertile land around the lake. Of course they had to work sunrise to sunset six days a week.. A Minster who had made the trip from back East found a ripe little town waiting to be saved.

Well the farmers wife's also worked six days a week or to hear great great grand ma say it "everyday" of the week. The building of a church by the new towns minister and the services that were held there every Sunday were a way for the ladies to get together and socialize. The menfolk could chat in their fields with the next farmer over or when they made a trip into town for supplies. It did not take much of a reason to stop at the Lodge and taste a cold beer and exchange farming wisdom.

During a sermon held in the white church on the bank of the lake the Minster preached that we should make Sunday a silent day out of respect.. The men embraced it and the ladies thought twice about this Minster from back East. Working in the fields for six days and then having to come home and listen to the wife and kids, a day of silence sounded like a good idea to the men.

The idea became an option. The Minster thought twice about it as now the menfolk sat in his pews and said nothing. Church events would find the ladies in groups chatting about what ever they chat about, kids chasing kids and dogs barking. The men would gather under the shade of a big willow on the bank of the lake. As someone came to sit on one of the many benches there they would be greeted with Hiya. Sitting and watching perhaps with a blade of grass between there lips and a jug at there side. Life was good, at least one day out of the week.

Fast forward to today. Talk talk talk, pretty hard to get away from it. Even sitting out in the row boat fishing someone is always trying to get a hold of you on the cell phone. With computers we can just take an e-mail when ever we want to. Nice thing about e-mail is you can answer it in your shorts at four in the morning. A big plus if you are a farmer. Then they started texting. Now if you don't answer your phone they text you.

So we have Silent Sunday, we make every effort not to talk to others from the town. Hiya covers it all when passing in the street or bumping boats on the lake. You may have noticed that most town events are held on Saturdays. Some may carry over to Sunday but most times that is just clean up and break downs and you don't need much more then HiYa.

Reinforcing Silent Sunday is the town's law about chain saws and lawnmowers running during the summer on weekends. Don't do no good enjoying a quiet day if you can hear someone else working. Just makes you think about working. Of course another good reason for silent Sunday is it is good to rest your voice after yelling at Cows, Dogs and Kin all week. From Lake Iwanttobethere, Hiya {141,126}

[Bobby Bass]

End of June here and tonight is the Town Hall meeting, as you know the Town Hall meetings are always held on the fifth Wednesday of every month. The Lodge held it's meeting which is held on the fifth Tuesday of the month. Next Lodge meeting will not be till August so I had to attend and hold court. Meeting was not started till ten this giving everyone time to get off the water and the Lodges parking lot was quite full of wet trailers. Most of the meeting was held in the parking lot till the skeeters came out in force. Since it has pretty much rained almost everyday for the past three weeks the skeeters have been back in the swamps lifting weights. Now that the sun has been out for a few days and the winds have calmed some the skeeters are having battle royals with the dragon flies and seemed to be winning!

Flies have been a big problem to, buggers take a chunk out of you when you are wearing shorts and are busy concentrating on your line. I know Big Earl has another order of fly swatters on order as he has already sold out his stock that would usually last an entire season. As for the Lodge we are on schedule to do some repairs on the main building and a new storage building will be built later this summer. This will allow us to tear down the old one that has been leaking and just needs to go. Lodge's fishing contest has been slow as fishing has been poor for most of the regulars. Early ice out, a long spring and now the last month of nothing but rain has guys scratching their heads on where to find the fish. Lake is up, which is good, opens up a few access that were hard to get to or you had to use the 4x4's

Fireworks committee is ready for the 4th and I am told the float for the parade is almost ready. I did have a chance to look at the float in the garage and curious as to what it is going to be. All I saw was a frame, four tires and some colored cloth and netting stacked in the corner. Dug's garage has been busy doing tune-ups as we will of course be involved in the running of the lawn mower races and this year something new. We will be also holding ATV and lawn tractor pulls, this will be held in the Lodges parking lot, right where we want to expand and pave.

BBQ tonight as the town hall meeting will be held and I am sure there will be more discussion about the parade, fireworks dance and picnic held in the park. The fabulously fine fingers of Fred and Fiona Fiddler and their son Fred will once again be on hand to perform. I think I found a spot with a few fish last night so I am going out fishing again this afternoon, I will be back in time to attend the meeting and report. From Lake Iwanttobethere have a good fishing day {141,290}

[Bobby Bass]

Well summer is here today for sure! Just past noon and already the red needle on the bass thermometer is nudging past ninety in the shade. Finally broke down and installed the window ac unit as sleeping last night was uncomfortable. Not so much for me but the dogs were coming and going all night trying to find a place to lay. Now after having the ac unit on for the past hour there is not a dog or cat to be seen. They are all in the room with the ac sprawled on the bed or the floor and snoring can be heard down the hallway.

Going to take awhile to cool the cabin off and so I spent some time just sitting on the dock with my feet dangling over the edge into the water. Funny how I used to do the same thing fifty years ago but my feet are a lot larger then I remember them back then. From time to time curious bluegills will drift up to inspect my toes and I wiggle them unsure as if they will be scared away or think it is something they should eat. The old goose and his mate are back in the bulrushes and I can make out some of the kids from time to time. Mama is pretty strict with them and they don't wander too far. Sunlight is reflected off boats scattered around the lake, and from where I sit I can see a few house boats off the point. Even at mid day the yells and screams of kids jumping into the water can be heard.

Our shipment of corn for the 4th came in yesterday and we fired up a BBQ and did some taste testing. The hot weather has arrived in time to make this a good fourth, hot buttered corn and ice cold watermelon just does not taste any better then when it has to be eaten in the shade. Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather are disagreeing about their thirty-six hour forecast. As one is calling for some slight showers while the other is calling for downfalls. Both are saying it should clear up in time for the fireworks display. The atv pulls and lawnmower racing will be held rain or shine so it might be renamed "Mud Bog Racing" either way I am looking forward to it as my extra weight might be an advantage now.

Parade might be interesting if we do get the rain but out here at Lake Iwanttobethere we don't cancel many things. Once we say we are going to do something and the hay bales are set up we go for it. I mean really, it's just a little water! Wife is busy in the kitchen making up a monster batch of potato salad and Elmer was just here dropping of a keg of his homemade pickles. He and Pepper have left to go and listen to the baseball game in his basement. Nice and cool there and he won't be needed at the Lodge till later this evening.

Well I got three calls in the past fifteen minutes, I need to go down to the Lodge. They can't find the key to the ice house lock and Mindy and Mandy are setting up the root beer booth and need ice. My neighbor Chuck said he will drive down with me which is a surprise till I hear out his thoughts. Made pretty good sense if ya ask me. Mindy and Mandy, very very hot weather, ice, short short shorts and well I think you get the idea. Told the wife I had to run to the Lodge and would be back later. From Lake Iwanttobethere {141,805}

[Bobby Bass]

The day after, sounds like a title for a movie but here at the lake it is the day after the 4th. The heat has broke at least the sizzling stuff we have had for the past few days. I spent some time this morning enjoying a quiet few minutes on the creaking swing. Both Barney and Buddy along with my daughters lab were spread across the deck snoring heavy. Last night's fireworks went on into the wee hours of the morning as even after the Lake had their big display people returned to their cabins to continue to fire off their own fireworks or what ever they could find that made noise. I know for a fact that several people were shooting shotguns and old man Walter fired his cannon a few times.

Barney and Bud pretty much ignore the fireworks but Buster being a city dog was getting pretty worked up, He in turn got the boys excited and in the end no one really slept that well. Sunshine Ray and Stormy Clearweather were both right if you ask them. We got just one heavy downpour here on this side of the lake but the far side got pounded with several inches of rain and more than one camper was seen having breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe or the Dew Drop Inn in soaking wet clothes. The Laundromat was doing good business as all the dryers were running for most of the day.

So many things to tell about the 4th don't know where to start. A new Miss Lake Iwanttobethere was crowned and I am glad to report there were no bathing suit malfunctions this year. Parade went off with out a hitch as we got it in before our little downfall that we had. This years Lodge entry was completed in time and I must admit I was expecting a little more from the boys. The float ended up looking a lot like a duck blind on wheels, the thing that made it different is that Elmer and Marv were inside the float tossing candy out the gun ports. They called the float a salute to the old days and had a porcelain jug that they were passing back and forth between them.

Lawnmower races were kind of special this year as halfway through the open class the downpour occurred. Having big wheels on the mowers made for some exciting racing that and the fact that it did not take the drivers long to figure out that when going through the turns if you stayed along the street curbs you could spray the entire crowd with water. My lap was a thing of beauty I was told. With my extra weight keeping the wheels down and my Cub roaring and steam trailing behind me when I came around the turn it was like a curl of water that any surfer would have paid to have a chance to ride. Most of the locals backed away when they saw me coming but for some reason the tourists pressed closer to the curb and the stacked hay bales. The wall of water came off the tractor like snow off a plow and the curl soaked everyone and everything. I was only able to make the one pass as the water rose to high and I stalled out.

BBQ was good and Big Earl outdid himself with the corn and Nytelyter had his brisket. Dan T was there with his Saint Bernard and even Duckslayer and his wife were mingling. Dotch was spending some time behind the mike at the KCUM booth answering farming questions and Hunterdown was surrounded by a group of guys from the two cites asking about booking a flamingo hunt this fall. Hammering Hank and Skinny made a grand entrance to the park as they looked like some guys from Ghost Buster. They were wearing white paper suits and had the fogging backpacks on. They came from the direction of the swamp as they fogged their way to the park. Their were campfires burning but they were not large. Plenty of heat already and no more was needed.

Little donut wagon was as always busy, hot pretzels stand, the ice cream truck were hits and Mindy and Many along with their ice cold Lake Iwanttobethere Root beer might have been the most popular booth. I'll bet a lot of you don't know that Mindy and Many used to be models! Yup, you see some of their work every day on the highway. They are the models for them gals you see on them big truckers mud flaps. Today they were just wearing short shorts and white blouses, Mindy was the one in pink.

Pontoons were loaded and the water parade started around nine or so. Chairs and picnic tables were carried or dragged to the water's edge. Fire works started at ten and went off without a hitch. Lodge was filled to past one and the ice house was left open for anyone who needed to be quick chilled. A keg of Hamms was packed in ice blocks and more than one tourist was seen bent over at the waist with hands over their head trying to survive a beer freeze. Just a decent holiday was had. This morning finds the flag flapping on the mast outside the Lodge, a reminder for why we celebrate. From Lake Iwanttobethere{142,274}

[Bobby Bass]

Clean up is complete here at the lake and the 4th of July is another memory. The summer has been an unusual one as with the early and long Spring we had it seems to have thrown the Summers timing off. O don't get me wrong, I am all for a long summer like them folks down south get. I am just hoping that we will get a long Fall to and fishing will improve and the heat will be gone so all of them projects can get done. Of course I am never worried about running out of projects as the list never ends. The heat feels good as long as you are not working in it, the humidity can leave anytime.

I was sitting at a picnic table not to far away from the BBQ where the hot dogs were being made on the 4th. Thinking to myself that here at the lake we serve a pretty fine hot dog. Now over the course of many years I have eaten my fair share of hot dogs. From when I was called in from playing when I was a kid to lunch room hot dogs in grade school. Having a few beers with the boys and stopping at a late night dinner with only enough change in my pocket to buy just one. We would order them with everything on them just so we could get our moneys worth.

I have had hot dogs wrapped in paper towel and in little waxed bags, Hot dogs that have sat on grills for who knows how long. Gas station hot dogs, burnt hot dogs cooked on a stick over a campfire. Microwave hot dogs, boiled hot dog, pan fried hot dogs and even raw hot dogs. But I think the Lake Iwanttobethere 4th of July hot dogs are the best. Now if you have been here to the lake you know what I am talking about. These are not the over priced cold hot dogs that you get at a baseball game. These are made to order for you as you wait. You take your turn and you follow the line that runs along a few picnic tables that are end to end. A blue and white checkered table cloth spans both tables making them look like one. Behind the table stands the grill, a long charred barrel that was cut in half length wise and modified. Filled with cherry hot coals blacken grills keep spitting hamburgers and fat hot dogs from falling into the flames.

A couple of guys work the grill, they look to be in their fifties, it takes that long to learn how to make a good hot dog. They cook hamburgers to but that is for another day. Today you are looking for a hot dog and maybe an ear of corn that is at the next table down. No assembly line here, you ask for a "Split One" with everything. The older looking of the two guys nods his head and with a napkin in hand he places a slightly brown bun from the back of the grill on to it. Turning back to the table he dips a wooden flat stick into the yellow bowl of mustard. Looking up at you he asks " One street or two" you raise your two fingers up and he nods and with the practice of a thousand times already that day swipes mustard up one side of the bun and down the other side, two streets.

He turns back to the grill and rolling a few dogs to keep them from burning plucks a ripe one. Slightly split and with juices dripping he lays it on to the center of the bun between the two streets. The rest is quick as you move down the table with him, he pauses looks at you and you nod your head as he stops at the can of catsup. A pump stands up out of a gallon can and with one slow pump and a swipe of the dog under it an even river of catsup is delivered. A scoop of county fair relish is forked on along with another fork load of sweet diced onion. You lay your dollar on the table and he hands it to you. You quickly move the bun from one hand to the other, it is hotter then you think. Looking back at the cook you now notice the calloused thick hands of a farmer and now know how he handled it like it was nothing. Maybe that is why there are always older guys handling the hot dogs and the roasted corn, the young guys just don't have the hands yet.

Like most people you eat the dog as you stand in line to get some hot buttered corn on the cob. Now is not the time to get a soda, you will lose yur place in the line. As you dab at the corner of your mouth with the napkin you think that maybe you should have gotten two. But there is corn to be had and that cool watermelon might feel pretty good on the hands. From Lake Iwanttobethere {142,562}

[Bobby Bass]

Grandsons were here at the lake for the day, they had already tired their dad out, my son with a bike ride. We went down to the lake to do some swimming and between dives and cannon ball plunges from the dock we let the sun and light breeze dry us. My four year old has this thing about having a six pack belly, he likes watching that info commercial. He asked me between plunges if I ever had a "six pack" my five year old grandson answered for me by saying " Papa don't need a six pack, he already has a keg" kids...

The smart bear is back making it's rounds. Even though the berry crop is ripe for the picking there is a big old black bear that we call the "Smart bear" working the cabins. Knocking over garbage cans and getting free meals along with an occasional cooler left out the smart bear is back in town. The smart bear got his nickname because it stands on it's hide legs and waves his front paws over his head to get the motion detector on the outside flood lights to go off. This then lights up his garbage cans making sorting easier. Tourists get a bang out of it, the bear gets donuts.

By five the kids have had enough swimming and their dad has recovered from the bike trip. They left after showers to go do a mans trip to the county fair. The ladies had already left to go to the fair and do a Woman's day which I understand means they will not be checking out cars at the dirt track or seeing how many deep fried hot dogs they can eat. I enjoyed the sunshine and breeze and guarded the cabin from the smart bear.

Sometimes, even when it is hot you get the perfect time of the day. It does not always happen but Saturday was a good example. Some light rain had came and went, it was warm, there was enough breeze to slow dry you after swimming but not give you a chill. The wind kept the bugs away and the sun was sitting low enough in the sky that it no longer bother your eyes. I sat back on the swing with a couple of melting ice cubes in a glass and a nice slow burning cigar between my fingers. I waiting for the concert to start and right on time, well maybe a few minutes late it did. I could hear the sound of the piano coming from Elmers open cabin windows. Elmer has always played the piano, an old beat up upright that he has tuned every once in a great while. He never plays a entire song but wanders from one to another. Sometimes there are long pauses where he stops to sip on his drink or has to re lite his cigar.

With Marv moving to the lake he has joined the Saturday afternoon concerts. Coming to the lake from back east he brought with him his mandolin a sound not common in these parts. Together the two of them wander through songs together. Elmer has a light touch with the piano, it might be his style or that age no longer allows him to bang on the keys. But in the quiet of a summers late afternoon the lite tinkling of the keys and the plucking of the mandolin fit like a glove. Chuck is home and he takes his place out on his old pontoon. His old six string guitar adds to the mix and I being the lucky one sit between the music. The wind does the mixing and the sounds of the guitar, piano and mandolin are blended and weave together to form music that can't be described.

I can't sing a lick and never learned to play a thing, but I can listen and I do. Between songs or during long pauses the local birds add their voices. The robin sounds like a critic as it goes into a long winded song where as the two loons floating off the dock make just a few lonely calls that echo in the bay. A honk from the old goose showing his approval and for a change Edd and Eddie sit quietly on a limb waiting for the next song to start. Bud and Barney lay sleeping on the deck and only when the pause is long do they open an eye and look around for the reason to the interruption. I take a sip of my drink and a long pull from the cigar and I to wait for the next song to start, it don't get much better on a summers afternoon, from Lake Iwanttobethere {143,462}

[Bobby Bass]

Taking a break here between filling the mower with gas. Yes, even here at Lake Iwanttobethere we have to cut the grass. A decent day going as there are some clouds and it is not nearly as warm as it has been the past few weeks. Taking me longer then usual to mow as the raspberries are ripe and each time I take a pass by the bushes I pause to lean over and pick a few. Got a late start mowing as when I went to shed to get gas I had forgotten I had used the last to put in the Puddle Humper. Always a good excuse not to mow if there is no gas at hand. Wife held out the truck keys and pointed me in the direction of town, I took the hint and put a empty gas can in the Dodge. Before I could leave she brought out the bigger can with orders to put gas in both.

Driving down the dirt road I had the windows down and a cigar burning. Not being in too big of a hurry I took my time looking at the sights. Hay fields have been mowed and bales sit in a pattern of sorts waiting to be loaded by farmer's sons. I come around a turn and the road is blocked by the large rear end of a hay trailer being pulled by an old John Deere. The trailer is loaded high and sways back and forth across the road like a heavy set woman at a wedding with just one to many Tom Collins. I slip in behind and turning on the Dodges flashers I have now joined the parade.

I follow for maybe a quarter mile before the trailer makes a left hand turn away from the lake and heads to a distant barn. I get a wave from the driver of the tractor, a lad maybe sixteen or so with a dark tan and a grass stem hanging from his lips. Turning off the flashers I continue on down the road but I don't travel any faster. Moving along at just better than a grouse hunting pace I take my time and take in the smells of summer. A few birds fly alongside dipping in and out above the ditch. I see a rabbit and it sits not moving. I always chuckle when they do that trick. If they pretend not to notice you then you can't see them. Have tried that trick at Lodge meetings when volunteers are needed, never seems to work that well.

Arriving at the Gas-N-Go I pull up to the pump and fill the two gas cans, well at least half full anyway. Going inside to pay I am distracted by the gurgling of a new pot of coffee being brewed and a few of the fellers are standing around with their Gas-N-Go mugs. I pay the lad and making sure I get my gas card punched I pick up a empty cup and wait my turn. I am just in the midst of a good conversation about boat plugs when the lad calls out my name. I wave my hands across my face but he goes ahead and tells the wife that Yes, I am still there. With some guff from the boys I head to the door.

I walk out to the Dodge when this really big boat is pulled into the lot by a really little car. A couple of guys get out and ask if I work at the station. I answer no and wait for the next question. Next question is "Where can we launch our boat?" Answer is about ten more miles along this road. Next question is "Ain't there any place closer?" Answer is yes but not with that car. By now the gas station kid has come out and they ask him the same questions, He goes back into the station to show them a map of the lake and I am guessing the closer landing. The guys comes out, gives me a short wave and with their bumper dragging pulls out of the station in the direction of the landing. A few seconds later the fellows all come out with an assortment of chips and sodas. They head for their pickups and follow the car. The last truck pulling out stops long enough to ask if I am going to go watch.. Before I can say anything the lad from inside yells the wife wants to know if I am still there. I get in the Dodge and head back to the cabin, wondering about what is happening at the landing, from Lake Iwanttobethere {144,107}