Lake Neighbors

Four hours north of Detroit, in an undisclosed location, is a small, private lake hidden in the woods. I never saw the movie “Deliverance,” nor do I want to, but after first time guests ask us how we found the place they can’t resist but to make a crack about hearing banjos. It is in the middle of “Michigan’s Up North Nowhere.” Many of the cottage owners are second and third generation.

We built our cottage from scratch, however, we tried hard to make it look like one of the originals. I like all things vintage and this lake neighborhood deserves to be preserved. I do second guess once in a while when, on one of the few vacant lots remaining, a new modular is plopped down in a couple of hours. We have been at this for 18 years and it won’t be perfect any time soon.

This morning I enjoyed my “thinking” walk on the gravel road that leads to and from our cottage. A lake neighbor drove by and yelled to me out of his window. In Detroit, depending upon what time of the month it was, I might have yelled, “Buzz off, perv!” Up here, he made me laugh. It was an inside joke from the 4th of July, that due to no shenanigans of my own,  won’t die anytime soon.

Most of the time my walk is on cement and very noisy. I can drown out the noise when I’m in the zone, but up north I don’t have to. Often times I take a pair of scissors and cut a wildflower bouquet of Queen Anne’s lace, chickory, & thistle. The locals probably see weeds. They probably are. I don’t care. I’d add a dandelion if I needed some yellow. To me, it is a little piece of nature and it isn’t growing through the cracks of the city sidewalk. It is an extra special treat when I see the twin fawns, still wearing their spots. I stop. I watch them, and they watch me.  It’s a stand-off to see who will move first. I usually win.

Like boats, many of the cottages have names. One is called “Casa Colibri” after the abundance of the ruby throat hummingbirds in the area.  One cottage sat empty for a few years after the older lady moved out. This year we have new neighbors. They can name their cottage whatever they want, but to me, it will always be known as “Fluff’s Hilton.” Now at Fluff’s, there is “No Vacancy.”

One neighbor bought a boat second-hand, so it already had a name on the back. It was a gold glittery speed boat that looked like it had been in a James Bond movie. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the name off the back. The outline was still visible. That neighbor will be forever nicknamed “Uncle Winky”

We have another “uncle” on the lake. He could be described by most as “tall, dark and handsome.” He never ceases to amuse us with his decorative board shorts. How can I describe them? The best way to put it would be “adult” board shorts. This holiday weekend he did not leave anything to the imagination. The graphics were large….and graphic. A few years ago he had a pair with a small grey and black print. The mothers of the younger kids preferred that pair. You had to stare at his junk for a really long time to see that the tiny print was actually naked women.

Most holiday weekends a rafting party convenes somewhere on the lake. Neighbors we’ve never met raft up too. It is not exclusively for the cool people like the table in the school cafeteria, but we do tend to make a few snide remarks about “porta potty guy” or the people who choose chores over floating in the lake. Don’t get me wrong, there is always something that needs doing when you own two houses, but schedule a day off already.

The rafting party, no matter what holiday, is named Lake Palooza. On 4^th of July a neighbor brings a plank leading to a keg floating on its own raft. Neighbors have tshirts from previous Palooza events that read “I walked the plank at the lake.” If you are unable to successfully walk the plank, you are required to wear water wings that are normally made for toddlers.

One boat is especially equipped with a generator for making frozen drinks. This year a creative neighbor made a “tip ski.” It is a water ski with 4 shot glasses attached. I would suggest finding 3 friends who are about your height. Being about 5 foot nothing I am at an extreme disadvantage. If the other 3 are taller than you, you can bet that tiny daiquiri will not get in your mouth, but will go right down your cleavage. Live and learn.

One neighbor, I’m assuming a male, brought some cocoanut bras just for fun. After a wardrobe malfunction this past 4^th, one female neighbor was awarded at the next gathering, a necklace with two “exhibitor” ribbons strategically placed. We hope the fun will just never end.

I’m always a bit depressed on going home day. This morning I went out for a walk before packing it up. I was thinking about all of our lake neighbors. We have all made sacrifices. We probably could have gone to Europe every summer with the money we’ve spent on owning and maintaining a lake house. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think we could all admit that we don’t actually know everyone’s names. I can honestly say I don’t know what everyone does for a living. It doesn’t matter. What we have in common is that we come to Lake Palooza. Yes, we get a little silly, but we get away from it all for just a few days.  I’m thankful for our lake neighbors. And just when I thought I had nothing to write about today, a lake neighbor drove by and yelled “nice cocoanuts.” Thanks, neighbor, for all the fun and memories, and for throwing a blog topic right out of your window.