Dad likes to get up early (on vacation!) and we don't. Dad had also made plans to golf with Paul in the afternoon, but fishing in the morning can wear him out lately. And, Tom needed some experience with driving Dad's boat to see if it's the kind of boat we'd ever want to own. So...we made a deal with Dad.

Dad got up early and fried bacon for all of us (it's good to keep him busy). We fried our own eggs when we got up and after a good "fisherman's breakfast," Tom, Phyllis and I headed out to Pike Bay, with Tom playing "captain." Dad enjoyed a leisurely morning with Mom at the cabin and then set out for golfing.

It was again quite windy on the lake, but we were determined to get our "Pike Bay 14" (the number we caught out there on the 3 previous trips this week, not including Tom's bonus walleye on Thursday). We managed to end the morning again with 13 perch and one rock bass. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record.

After fishing, we commenced our usual afternoon activities: cleaning fish (Tom has Phyllis's help at times this year!); knitting (Phyllis and I); coloring (Mom); watching the ducks (Mom really enjoyed this!); and biking (Tom). Chloe ran to Walmart in Bemidji with Erin and Tanner to get some supplies for some resort activities they have planned for next week. And...Jared arrived! Needless to say, our dinner conversation was much livelier tonight!

After dinner, we were invited to watch the launching of a paper lantern by our friends from Minnesota, who were leaving that night. It was sad to see them go, but we promised to keep in touch and look for them again next year at Birch Villa!

We were in for one more treat as evening came. The bright, full moon came shining down on us through the trees. One never knows what a full moon will bring, but at the lake, we can be pretty sure it will bring something good!

Good moon rising