Vacation Top 10

Every year my family heads south to stay for nearly a week at the lake. I've been going to this place since I was a teenager, so it's been really fun to experience everything there with Dave. Fortunately, his idea of a good time includes being in the middle of nowhere, driving a boat around the lake, and fishing.

There were many good memories from our week at the lake, including jumping into the lake on one of the hottest days of the summer (we were near or above 100 most of the week), losing a fishing pole to the lake, and questioning the waitress's understanding of what biscuits are.

I've compiled a Top 10 list of moments from our 2011 vacation to the lake. Enjoy!

1. Seeing a bald eagle in person. Maybe I've just been living under a rock all this time, but I'd never seen a bald eagle (except on TV and in books). When we saw this bird at the nature station we visited, I stood in front of its cage for 10 minutes, completely amazed by its size. No wonder our nation chose it as an important symbol of our country.

2. Visiting the city named after me. I'd always seen Erin, Tennessee, on the weather map when we'd watch the news on vacation, but we never made the 2-hour trek to check it out--until this year. The town was surprisingly big, complete with its own downtown area and, most important, its own Piggly Wiggly.
3. Having the whole family together. I loved that our whole family was able to spend the week together. Below is my brother, Nate, and sister-in-law, Kim; Dave and me; and my mom and dad. It's funny to me that my brother and I are now at a point in life where we get to share the lake with our spouses. I hope we can one day share it with our children, too.
4. Proving to Nate and Kim that there are indeed goats on Goat Island. Yes, we've been going to the lake for a long time, but it wasn't until last year that we'd spotted goats on an island in the middle of the lake. It turns out that, when the area was flooded decades ago, goats sought shelter at the highest point, which is now an island. They're still there, and it was fun to show Nate and Kim, who weren't on vacation with us last year, that we weren't making everything up.
5. Enjoying the view of the lake from our room. Every room where we stay has a balcony that overlooks the lake. One of my favorite activities is sitting outside to read while I enjoy the sights and sound of the waterfront.
6. Being out on the lake. Our family always rents a pontoon when we're at the lake. I love the wind in my hair and the sun on my face as we putt-putt around the lake. (Really, the boat has a 60 HP engine on it; you can't zip around on that!) It's a great way to enjoy being outdoors, and when it gets too hot, you can lower the anchor, then jump right in to cool off.
7. Watching the guys go fishing. This year was especially fun because my brother caught a bunch of bass. Our family usually sticks with the bluegill, so seeing a bass on the line was exciting.
8. Visiting Patti's. We go to Patti's for lunch every year, and every year it's one of the best meals of the week. This time, I actually saved room for their version of derby pie. I've been craving it ever since!
9. Supporting local businesses. The town we stay in isn't big on chain restaurants, except for the Cracker Barrel and a handful of fast-food restaurants next to the interstate. In other words, there isn't a Starbucks for miles. There is, however, a cute little coffee shop that offers delicious sandwiches and drinks.
10. Making mealtime an adventure. Speaking of local businesses, we'd driven past this restaurant for years but never tried it because 1.) it's pretty worn down on the outside and 2.) we were usually on our way to Sonic for lunch. (It's true, we do sometimes support the chain restaurants, too.) This year, though, Dave and I decided to be adventurous and try this place out. The inside didn't look much better than the outside, with peeling wallpaper and dated furniture. But the waitress was so friendly, and the food was good. I'm glad we tried it.
Looking at all these pictures is making me wish we were back down there, but missing the lake makes me appreciate the week we spend there even more. In less than a year, we'll be back. I can't wait!