What I did on my first summer vacation

I will try to recall the events of our family vacation but it's already a little fuzzy.  The Smiths came to town at around noon Saturday, July 10 which began the vacation.  Some other family members (don't remember exactly who) came over for barbecue & poker and I know it was too many for regular poker so we played Texas holdem. 

Sunday morning we (Smiths, Jim, me, Ronnie & Janet) left bright & early for our drive to Jennifer's property in Salem where we were meeting Jennifer, Matt, Sharon, Scarlett, Jessica, Mike & Max.  From there we drove about 1/2 hour to Akers Ferry where we went on an 8 mile float down the Current River.  I've floated the Current before but it's been many years and I forgot how cold the water is.  It never warms up because it's spring-fed.  Mike & Jessica didn't go on the float because they felt Max was too little and Ronnie & Janet didn't go because Janet had back surgery recently and she couldn't so they stayed behind.  We all rented canoes & Jennifer & Joyce rented a raft but we all switched around throughout the day.  It wasn't all that sunny but it was hot enough.  Everything went well besides when Jim & Devon were in a conoe together not paying attention & they crashed.  Oh well, we needed a little excitement!  When we were about 1 mile from the takeout point it started raining.  Then it started pouring down.  I didn't mind but Joyce & Madison (the ones with no fat on their bodies) were freezing.  The Akers Ferry bus picked us up at an earlier take out point which worked out well.  We went back to Jennifers where Matt had a fish fry & we played poker and spent the night.

The next morning we drove back home and went to the funeral parlor for Maggie and went to Ronnie & Janet's afterwards for more poker.  Tuesday morning we went to the funeral mass and just hung out at our house. 

Wednesday morning we drove to Mark Twain Lake and rented a cabin for the night so Janet could sit by the pool because she couldn't go boating.  Angie & Brian came along & we spent the day on the Lake.  It was 96 degrees so we all got alot of sun.  Devon & Madison went knee-boarding for the first time and they both did really good.  They also went tubing and jumped off a cliff with Brian.  It was a beautiful day and for once we didn't get rained on!  We went back to the cabin & walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner before Angie & Brian left to go back  home.

Thursday morning we drove to Hannibal which is not far from the lake.  We walked around the town a little before going to Mark Twain Cave.  It's a standing joke in the family about all the caves we've toured but this is my all-time favorite.  I love the stories about Mark Twain, Injun Joe, etc.  We hung around for a little while & went to a couple of gift shops before driving back home.

Friday we played demolition ball, laser tag & went to the Omnimax Theatre and saw Hubble which was about the space telescope.  Not really my cup of tea but Scott wanted to see it.  Pizza & another poker party rounded out the evening. 

The Smiths got a late start driving home Saturday as Scott wasn't feeling too good.  I was sorry to see them go and can't wait to see them again at Lake Monroe on Labor Day weekend. 

My second summer vacation starts tomorrow morning when Jim & I travel to Jamaica for his 50th birthday & a second honeymoon.  Will report on that when we get back next week.