The Events of Thursday, September 9, 2010

          We got to sleep-in today! To 7:30. But, with rest and new energy we were ready to tackle the day with zest, (like our zesty Italian salad dressing!) We ate breakfast, but today we got dressed first in our swimming suits. We unhooked the RV and headed over to the pool. We got to book end our day with swimming first thing this morning and last thing at night. When we arrived, there was a man cleaning the pool out with a net. We asked how long it would be until we could get in and he said, “Oh, at least 30 minutes.” Daddy asked if we could get in right then and what was wrong with the pool. Since it was only “dirty” we got in right then and swam for a good 30 minutes. We had been in a pool with a layer of dead bugs on top, so compared to that, this pool was amazingly clean. Ben and Daddy got out early to shower, but Mom and us girls worked out and played for the whole time. When we had to get out, we showered and the men readied and cleaned the RV for the day. We all dressed in jeans and sweatshirts; because the high for today was 61 degrees and we were pretty cold. I (Lindsey) cut Mom’s bangs, (and got an A- for the job). Then, we were on our way.

          Our first stop was at the Visitor’s Center for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which we had visited yesterday with my Mom’s cousins Tina and Shane Volkertsma. We watched a short “slide show” on the legend of the dunes, which Daddy said was too slow and overly dramatic, but it was still fun to see. We dropped off some trash in the bins outside the building and then headed out once more. We drove to Traverse City for lunch, which we ate along the lakeshore. We basically spent the rest of the day driving, making two stops before reaching our destination. One of the stops was for a quick shopping trip to Wal-Mart and the other to get gas. During our drive, e-mails were answered, blogs were updated, pictures were edited, books were read, and music was played. Around 6 o’clock, we arrived at Camper’s Cove RV Park, set up our campsite and started to cook a yummy teriyaki chicken dinner. Dad and I fixed some windows that were not being cooperative and then, while Caitlin, Mom, and Dad read, Abby and I played cards and Ben did his summer work. When dinner was ready, we ate it of course and then for dessert, finished off the gooey brownies, which Caitlin confessed to have forgotten an egg and incorrectly whisked up the ingredients. We hurried to clean up so we could get to the aforesaid swimming pool.

          It was an indoor swimming pool and everything was very dark, warm, and humid. But, the pool was, according to Mom, too cold and therefore not swimmable. However, all four of us kids got used to it and had a grand time. At about 9 o’clock, we headed to the showers. They were fairly good showers, but if you want a fully fledged evaluation, look at Caitlin’s shower blog. We headed back to the RV to wash dishes, clean up, and get to bed. It wasn’t long before we were all snuggled under blankets in our cozy beds. In such a way we fell asleep. ‘Night y’all!