Up North

 There is a place where the world stops.  Where time appears to stand still and the simplicity of life is all that remains.  There is a place in the north woods where the sound of water lapping against the dock and the call of the Loons echoes throughout the stillness of the night.  Where the days are filled with laughter and love and the nights with stories by the fire.  There is a place in the north woods, on Lake Namakagon, where my heart is full and right.

I was seven years old when I first experienced the beauty of a great northern lake.  It was not Lake Namakagon, but it was beautiful.  It was not until college, that my parent’s good friends, The Rueggers, invited us to their new cabin on Lake Namakagon.  It was love at first sight and has become our family’s most treasured retreat on earth.  Surrounded by the north woods it is the definition of tranquility and beauty.

At the lake my body becomes my clock and guide.  We wake to sip coffee on the porch and catch up on life.  Bike rides, runs and walks fill the morning hours and when all have risen and the beer cooler is full the boats become the thrones.  Sometimes there is skiing, knee boarding, jet skiing and tubing.  Other times the pontoon boat is all we need, as the IPOD plays the tunes and endless floating fulfills the day.  “The Chief” serves the best Bloody Mary’s around and delicious margaritas too. On Wednesdays it is “Wing Ding” that leaves not a single frown. 

My dad went to college with Pam and Rick and their friendship has remained a constant in our lives.  Part of what I love the most about the lake is seeing how relaxed and happy my dad was while we were there.  He was with his friends and family doing everything that he loved.  I treasured listening to them all talk about their college days and their day-to-day lives now.  At the lake my dad was 100% carefree.  He would take off on the Jet Ski with a look of pure excitement on his face!  He didn’t worry about having an extra gin and tonic, knowing that tomorrow was just another day of fun. 

This August we went to Wisconsin.  This summer I got one last wonderful week on the lake with my dad and family.  I got to see my parents hold hands on the boat and laugh.  We drank coffee together in the morning and had gin and tonics at night.  It was another perfect week on the lake, full of memories that I will hold forever dear.  This summer we will go back and while it will be difficult, he wouldn’t have it any other way.