Happy Birthday, Ben!

Ben celebrated another birthday at the lake. We were thinking back, and we think he's spent all but one or two birthdays here. Most years we have an outdoor cookout. This summer, however, has been so cold that we've only eaten outside a handful of times. As Kate pointed out, the past few days here have been colder and rainier than our entire past winter in California.

Ben was a cheap date this year. His birthday happened to fall on Dollar Spaghetti Night, so that's how he chose to celebrate. After dinner, we went back to the cottage for Nana's traditional birthday angel food cake.

Quite different from past outdoor celebrations...we were inside, with sweaters, flannel shirts and a space heater!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Peek n Peak Ropes Course

Locals ski at Peek n Peak, a resort about an hour away - just as you cross into New York state. Peek n Peak opened an aerial adventure course this summer, so we decided to check it out. We were so pleasantly surprised! The resort itself is beautiful, with two golf courses, miniature golf, Segway tours, the ropes course, a gorgeous lodge and spa. 

We bought three hour passes that allow you to go through the eight courses as many times as you'd like. The rest of my family was far more adventurous than I. The kids, in fact, were like monkeys. Each course involved climbing, walking across wires and sailing through the air on a zip line. We all agreed that this will be on the 'schedule' when the cousins visit next year.

Cousins

Cousins - definitely one of the best parts about summer at the lake! We haven't been able to spend as much time this summer with these two as we'd like. They've kept us entertained, though, in the little bit we'd been able to see them.

College Visits

Ben, Bob and I just returned from a five day road trip to visit colleges. Ben and I drove across the state and picked Bob up in Philadelphia.

The trip involved driving back and forth and across Pennsylvania, visiting three states and three colleges, and having dinner with old New York friends. Kate and Will, meanwhile, stayed at the lake and had their own adventures with the grandparents.

Midway Beach, Conneaut Lake

Nothing seems to change at Midway Beach. The snack shack still sells inexpensive food (bags of sour patch kids or Swedish fish for .25, or an ice cream for .75). We still sit our same shaded spot, and the kids still enjoy lounging about in the warm water. 

Flashback Friday from the Cottage

Will and Audrey making bubbles in the cottage kitchen sink, around 2006. 

Suggestions?

Suggestions, anyone? The vintage finds in this area can't be beat. While scouring through an antiques store in Conneaut Lake last week, I found this old Suggestions box. My family has been filling the box with suggestions - including everything from 'No Amish dinners' (there's a story behind this) to 'Be nice to your husband'. Any suggestions for things you'd like to see on the blog? Are there any Conneaut Lake area attractions I haven't posted about, or any particular recent pictures you'd like to see of a favorite spot (maybe something in Conneaut Lake Park)?

Dogs of Conneaut Lake

We're a group of crazy dog people. This little pack meets up at the lake each summer and have the time of their lives.

This is Gus. It's his first year at the lake, and he's been a very good boy. Most of the time he has a look of pure bliss on his face. He's afraid of thunder and fireworks and loves to cuddle.

Pip, my parents dog, is the world's most spoiled dog. My mom bought him at the Andover flea market a few years ago. He was so incredibly tiny - you can see pictures here.

And last, but not least...Sport. He's the only dog who listened to me when I wanted to get a group shot. It's likely that he was just too lazy to move, but I like to think he's well behaved.