Weekend of Watery Doom!

July 10th through 14th, 1996

Lake Lucerne
We made it up for a long weekend. The weather was not the greatest with highs in the 70s°F and lows in the 50s°F. There was also a bit of interesting rain, rough water, and a paddle boat tale for the ages...
Lake Lucerne
On Thursday, some small spectators saw us off on a paddle boat trip around the lake. There were some waves, but we've done waves before with out a problem. Had we seen a radar image of the coming weather, we would not have gone.
Lake Lucerne
Here we see an image taken after the storm that caught us half way around the lake. We don't have any pictures of the actual storm. We were too busy practicing good seamanship, screaming, and trying not to die. Just before the peak of the storm, we found shelter under a boat lift with an extra long top (Thank you Maloney's! You saved our lives!) While tucked under the lift with sideways rain and waves washing over the front of the boat, I didn't think it could get any worse. Then the islands disappeared in a rapidly advancing wall of water. Mrs Nemo did not see our doom coming. She had to keep her eyes closed behind her sunglasses to prevent her contacts from washing out. During the squall, a blond tween must have drawn the short straw. She appeared behind us and invited us to wait out the storm in their garage. We thanked her for the offer, but the storm seemed to be ending, so we told her no thank you and she scrambled back into their cabin. After it mostly passed, we paddled and beached our craft at the boat landing.
Lake Lucerne
We got out and counted our limbs. The part of Mrs Nemo that faced the sideways rain, the front part, was completely soaked. Me. too.
Lake Lucerne
The wind from the storm was strong enough to take a few branches from the white pines at the landing. We passed on the free firewood. I think it would have been forever too wet to light.
Lake Lucerne
On the long, wet paddle back to the North end of Lucerne, we saw a great rainbow.
Lake Lucerne
Later that evening, we recounted our adventure to the smalls that share our cabin. They seemed amused.
Lake Lucerne
The next day we went out for a nice relaxing breakfast. The fawns had other plans. We did not hit any, but our hearts did skip a beat.
Lake Lucerne
Mann's Harbor Restaurant turned out to be a good random diner find.
Lake Lucerne
After a big breakfast and the events of the previous day, many wanted to take a little nap, but no. There was skiing to be done.!
Lake Lucerne
One of our smalls was judged big enough to spot. No more illegal skiing for us! Mrs Nemo gave her some last minute pointers.
Lake Lucerne
She was then lifesuited up and lifted into the ski boat.
Lake Lucerne
With all the kneeboarders, skiers, and footers, there was much to spot
Lake Lucerne
She ended up doing a good job. Thanks, Toria!
Lake Lucerne
I'd also like to report my first 360! Huzzah!
Lake Lucerne
I don't think she's ready to tool us around on the pontoon boat yet. Maybe next year.
Lake Lucerne
After the skiing and attempting to make off with the pontoon boat, there might have been some diving.
Lake Lucerne
The next morning Mrs Nemo attempted to consume one of the pancakes at the Log Cabin. There also might have been some bacon involved.
Lake Lucerne
From this date forward, I promise to pay closer attention to the weather before attempting a 4 hour paddle boat ride. And maybe buying life insurance before embarking wouldn't be a bad idea. There was also a few uneventful trips to Rhinelander and a friend chickened out when challenged to eat the 3 giant pancakes at the Log Cabin. Gastronomic Glory will not be his! We'll be back next week.


-Nemo accomplished Gastronomic Glory once, then burped