Because of approaching holiday and planned return to Wichita next week, I decided to do a little laundry yesterday...and can I just say someone needs a refresher course in laundry room etiquette....big oaf only had one load but his stuff sat in washer all morning and in the dryer most of the afternoon...what a mess he created!! Four of us did multiple loads around him...geez, people set a timer!


Today we are determined to leave the dock...gonna explore and maybe anchor out. It’s about time, don’t ya think?? We’ve been here three and a half weeks...starting to grow roots!!

Life on the water...we love this view...hope it never grows old....

We did a little field trip yesterday into the Land Between the Lakes...truck ride took us only about half way into the 170,000 acre National Recreation Area....the largest peninsula in the US... Miles and miles of hiking and biking trails, campsites, educational venues and lake access...a haven for outdoor adventure...we plan to return. Bet it would be pretty in the Fall...

Last night we learned why they call our pier the “party pier”...Russell hired a band... parked them in the middle...5 people...they said the guy on steel guitar use to play with Brooks and Dunn...they were good...Russell played his harmonica and joined in several times...people came from everywhere...parking lot was packed!! Fun time was had by all....our new friend Vicki is evidently the mayor of Pier 5... while she wasn’t large and in charge, she sure seemed to know what was happening...and she knew everyone. She says she and Bob are leaving GTB in October ....headed to Bahamas and not planning to return. We’re gonna miss her!

And some bad news...we had hoped for a visit this week from Susan and Carolyn...Lexington looper friends...but alas, it is not gonna happen. But sure gives us something to look forward to in the spring.

Cloudy day again...rain is coming....but loving the cooler temps....

Friday nite date night...our kind of deal...we went to town and tried the new T. Lawson’s Grill...owned by the Patti’s people...good stuff. Cute cast iron plating for salads and starters. I had the tiniest crab cakes ever....but they were spicy, plentiful and delightful...Floyd’s burger came with tater tots and was a good one.

Then over to the local playhouse for a little Pickin and Grinnin....a Hee-Haw flashback...they recreated lots of the humor and fun ....we’d forgotten most of it til they fired it up...crowd was probably smaller than they’d like. But that fire at the big Patti’s Pork chop place use to draw in tour buses full of folks...and they aren’t coming now. Progress on the rebuilding is moving right along...photo is of the new entrance area but I’m guessing October before they open and that is not the height of tourist season ....they are advertising and hiring for all positions, if you’re interested. Lol!

Anyway, we got gussied up, had a good time, didn’t spend a fortune and home by 930....our kind of deal!

Weeks are slipping away...after months of almost daily traveling to get here...since we arrived we really haven’t boated anywhere. We’ve made plans to explore...but it is like waving a magic wand that produces rain and thunderstorms...we plan ...they arrive. So hopefully next week...

My project yesterday was painting the new free steps...our new best dock friend Vicki located them...and they are perfect....but needed some TLC...fresh coat of white paint and new carpet strips...Dakota thinks they are fabulous!! Though he wasn’t sure at first...

Our favorite evening activity...from our aft deck....watching the small herd of deer meandering on the grass at the marina...it is amazing how many times we spot them out and about...always seems to get Dakota’s attention...think he’d like to play with them...thank goodness for leashes!

Excitement yesterday was that the small ski boat someone had parked in the empty slip next to us was taking on water...sinking sinking sinking....Captain Bill (local dock expert) took swift charge of that..it’s now at the dry dock.

This morning in the pouring rain, Floyd discovered a jet ski floating by...managed to nab it with his extra long boat hook and tie it in the empty slip next to us....sooooo maybe we have a new jet ski.
We just commented yesterday about the stuff we see floating by...cups, styrofoam, Clorox bottles...and now jet skis! Love this place! You just never know!!

Love being in a covered slip during the rain...lightning and thunder... windows open...75 degrees....not gonna be working on a tan today!!