First Morning at Camp Soldner

Friday, August 15, 2008 -- near Three Lakes, MI

The drive from Beaver Dam yesterday was about 270 miles; it took us a little over 5 hours. Other than a moderate headwind out of the north, driving conditions couldn't have been much better and the bus-house performed flawlessly. The camp is near the end of a small private one-lane gravel road and it's necessary to maneuver around low-hanging branches and a few trees encroaching into the roadway in order to get to the same spot we parked last year... facing east and about 50 feet from the lakeshore. We're partially shaded but enough sunlight finds its way through the trees to keep the solar panels busy much of the day. It's a perfect spot in this idyllic place.



We both slept late this morning partially because we're tired from the drive and the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks. Camp Soldner is in the Eastern time zone and that fact provided the best excuse for why we slept in until almost 9am. Coffee was enjoyed on the dock while we watched two deer working the shoreline just a few hundred feet to the South and three bald eagles looking for breakfast further out in the lake. It was cool... 45f for a low this morning... but it's supposed to warm up the rest of the weekend.

Dar couldn't wait to get in the kayak and take a paddle around the lake. The surface was totally smooth and disturbed only by the kayak and paddles. I drank coffee, made a phone call or two, and talked with Dennis (the proprietor) and our favorite neighbors, Bill and Nancy. We did solve some current world problems but I'm sure we'll have even better solutions tomorrow.

Later in the day we'll start on a few chores and projects here at the camp... it's a way of earning our keep. But the uncomplicated nature of this place and the peace and calm that's all around have a way of making you see things differently... of providing a big virtual sigh that removes the stress of more complicated times.

T