Gone Fishin'.

And this, good people, is why we live in Michigan.  Because after only a five minute drive from the house, nestled in the sweet succulent woods of Chelsea, is Riker Lake.

Uncle Scotty Karate and his family own a heavenly piece of the land, giving us a parking spot and a boat, always waiting.  For so many years Joe has brought me here...first just the two of us, then a toddler done up is sunglasses and life jacket in tow.  Without fail she always gets the first catch on her Dora the Explorer rod, yelling excitedly "bobber down!!".   Usually a small little crappie, known affectionately as "John Sniff."  (When Coco was little she called all the little fish that we caught John Sniff (John Smith in toddler talk...she was watching a lot of Pocahontas in those days, don't judge)).

Each time we go out, I am astonished that we are the only people on the lake.  Pure, unadulterated, quiet.  Cranes and ducks flying overhead, little turtles peeking their heads out of the water...magic.  A few snacks on the boat, because fishing makes you hungry.  But really, this post is about the pictures, so let's get on with it already!

That's my girl - Never one to miss an opportunity to pose.

This is always my view heading out into the lake (Exception:  The summer that I was training for the triathlon, Joe would make me row out to the other side of the lake, jump off, and swim back.  True story.)

Reelin' it in!!

:(  Only a John Sniff.

Uterus cloud on the horizon.  I'm never one to pass up on a good fertility omen!

And here's to a summer full of fishing and fertility!