The Plight of the NEW Lake House Fortress

Today, I feel like chronicling the current status of our new house and land from the point of view of the Lake House Fortress.  So, I give to you, The Plight of the NEW Lake House Fortress.  It most certainly is a plight, at the moment...  For those who missed Part 1, this should straighten it out: The Plight of the Lake House Fortress 

My dearest home base ally, 

I know it has been some time since my last contact.  Much has happened.  I regret to inform you that our Lake House Fortress was overtaken.  I take full responsibility for our loss.  I was wooed by the cunning alpha male with promises of shiny, new things.  Alas, the things are neither shiny or new.  My current stronghold is one of meager protection from the elements, although, it's wheels are encouraging, as this could make for a quick escape from future enemies.  Another redeeming quality includes a built-in drying station for articles of cloth.  This technology is inferior to the drying units of the past, but I cannot deny its merit.  You will also be pleased to know the temporary stronghold has a parking garage, although the height of this shelter is not optimal for traditional modes of transportation. 

I cannot lie.  It has not all been so easy.  The canine beasts have had to make their own adjustments.  Droplets from the heavens have proven to be more stressful for the fattest beast within the trailer of tin, and medications affect him in a way that I can only describe as a hangover.  (He sleeps when he should pee...)  I must say, his habits have improved.  Apparently, neither he nor I wish to drug him in this manner again. 

The laziest of the beasts seems less affected.  She roosts upon higher seating areas, surveying the lands and plotting her next move.  She has, however, become more demanding and vocalizes her discontentment at whim.  Still, she returns to her resting state.  The demands of her throne must me exhausting and stressful.

I am monitoring the situation closely, as the laziness seems to be contagious... 

Canine beasts aside, the location is quite nice.  The views are stunning and will prove to be distracting, I believe, to any enemy combatants that might impose upon us.  It is here where our new fortress will be constructed. 

The housing for water-propelled devices is nearly complete.  This feature was key in the selection of our new fortress location.  I can almost taste the victory.  

 Celebration may be premature at this point, but I cannot help myself.  Even the alpha male can appreciate this excitement, although, I am sure he was mocking me from ashore. 

I have also come across new spies in the form of Felis catus.  They are nosey.  Some would describe it as curiosity, but I am not fooled.  Additionally, their cuteness is unnerving but also a nice distraction from the mess, as the excavation has begun.  Must... not... submit...  Ah, I can't help it.  I like them.  They must be fed...

But back to the fortress...  The alpha male oversees the construction.  I concede that this is helpful, but I must maintain final authority.  I will enforce creative opinions as we near the end.  Until then, I will allow the illusion of control to rest in his hands.  Also, there is much dirt.  Dirt is everywhere.  

  And motorized machinery... Everywhere...  Wielded closely to the trailer of tin...  

I have charged the larger of the two canine beasts with overseeing this overindulgence of equipment.  He is especially perplexed by the armed apparatus that bears the name "CAT."  Could this be related to our Felis catus visitors?  Coincidence?  Maybe to the less observant.  

I must go for now.  The mound promises to overtake the trailer of tin if I continue to neglect its existence.  It even creeps within its borders by foot.  I will not sanction this mode of entry any longer.   

Good luck my ally, and enjoy the beauty of the makings of the rest of our new Lake House Fortress and the views of its surroundings and inhabitants.

P.S. Tell the wild-haired one we have internet.

  

The Summer of Vacations

This, so far, has been the summer of "happenings."  We sold our house and gave merit, once again, to the blog name by living out of a camper while getting things in order to build our new house.  In the midst of all the things associated with starting anew, we have taken TWO beach vacations.  What can I say...  We like to keep busy!

The first trip was with friends to Cape Hatteras.  The waves were insanely huge, and the food was phenomenal.  Crab cakes?  Yes, please!  The little area we stayed was called Avon, and it was perfect.  Not too crowded and everything you need within a few blocks.  The kicker?  It takes FOREVER to get there!  (14 hours to be exact.)  This trip makes the 6/7 hour drive to Florida look like a trip to the grocery store.  Also, once we crossed the bridge pictured below, we saw the most beautiful black bear.  Donald hopped out of the truck to try to get a picture before realizing that was probably a bad idea.  Sadly, we didn't get a picture, but he was the model of a giant teddy bear.  He looked well fed, so maybe it's a good thing he headed for the woods as soon as Donald exited the vehicle.  Who can say they went to the beach and saw a bear, though???

The bridge to the Cape is a bit long...

We also took a sunset dolphin tour which turned out to be just a boat ride in the Sound.  (Also, "The Sound" is not actually noise.  It's what normal people would call the bay area.  Glad I was able to clarify that before the week was up! Ha!)  Another fun fact is that a large number of the locals have a very distinct accent.  We did ask one person, but we probably picked the wrong one to ask since she was Russian.  Whoops!  Wikipedia calls the local dialect "Brogue."  We may never know for certain.

In the bay area waiting for our dolphin tour to depart.

Our friends, Bill and Julie, with Donald.

With proper permits, locals can drive on the beach.

There was a very distinct line where "The Sound" met the open ocean. Notice the increase of the breaking waves in the distance.

This is a ferry like the one we took on our day trip to Ocracoke Island.  (FYI, be prepared to wait a while for your ship to come in...  Ha!)  That being said, Ocracoke was a neat little island.  I'd almost like to stay there if we ever come back.  It was full of shops, and everyone was extremely friendly.  Our friend met someone who had lived on the island his entire life and possibly pitied us for not having it so good. :)    

"I'm flying!"

Donald wouldn't do the Titanic thing...  Also, we're holding on for dear life.  Even the waves inside The Sound were rough. 

A Spanish lady on the boat with us insisted that I go to the back and take a photo of the sunset.  Great recommendation! 

Back in the bay.

Julie and Bill

Loved these houses on the water.

My only disappointment was not being able to make it to Roanoke Island to see the wild horses.  Traffic...  Oh, well.  That's what the internet is for.  That day-trip wasn't an entire bust, as we stopped by the Wright Brother's Museum in Kill Devil Hills instead.  We got a little wet, but it was worth the frizzy hair.  

This monument was enormous! 

A distant view of the recreation of the first flight.

Yes, we took a selfie with this... 

Conceived by genius.

Our group: Bill, Julie, me, and Donald

There was a more modern runway here, of course!  The deer are obviously fans. 

My attempt at being artsy-fartsy...

The kites were super!  Pictures can't truly portray their magnitude. 

The monuments of how far each of the first flights traveled, the pilot, and dates.

The brothers actually used rails to launch their flights, not wheels. 

Inside the museum.

This guy was a colorful storyteller. 

The piece of the Kitty Hawk that was taken to the moon. 

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Next trip, Cape San Blas

7-hour drive?  Pshhh, that's for rookies!  I do love the Gulf!  Cape San Blas was our annual family beach vacation, and we were welcomed with sunshine, powdered sand, and clear, calm water.  The first two days, the ocean was nothing more than a tropical swimming pool.  The little girls were in heaven!  We had a few hiccups with the house, but luckily, we all know how to wield a broom and use the washer.  Rock and Jazz seemed quite pleased with the accommodations...  

She stole my beach towel.

We reintroduced the dogs to the beach.  It's just not their thing.  Not that he minds the water, but Rock is a lake dog now.  His first instinct was to run straight to the surf and take a big gulp of water like he would at our old boat launch.  He got a real surprise!  He was done after that.  I believe Jazz was done before we started.  

Taking in the sunset with Papa.

He's just too pretty!

Unfortunately, this is where his excitement ended for him. 

And, some informals of my people from that night!

Josh smiled!

Take a "pitcha" of me running on the beach, Debbie! :)

The devious duo!  Ah, who am I kidding?  This is a whole lot of sweetness for one picture!

I wish I knew what she was saying.

Fishing from the beach is a big thing here.  

These silly girls!

The exact moment Jessie stepped on an electric ray.

And, the aftermath of walking in terror...  The local folks say it's like touching a 9-volt battery to your tongue.  Jessie, Jenna, and Donald might disagree.  

Lots of fences along the dunes.

This was our one and only storm, and it was gorgeous!  The condos to the left look like the one we stayed in.  I stood on our balcony and watched the storm approach from far away.

I also captured my first lightening in a photograph!

Each year, we do a family photo on the beach.  As I'm prepping my camera, I get this silly thing :)

Papa and Mimi

The Robinson Crew

Our bunch

And sometimes we act like this.  Don't let Greg fool you in this picture...  He is a full party to our craziness.  There is proof further down.  You will know it when you see it! 

Sweet Janie

Jenna Marie

Jenna doing her thing!

And Jessie and Greg attempting to do Jenna's thing...  Haha!!!

And a few more pictures from our trip.

I love a good sunset.

Guess it would make it more special if I knew these folks.  I don't...  Is that creepy? ;)

Back to reality now!  I have school to plan, books to buy, a dock to finish (or supervise the finishing of...)  Oh, and a house to build...  Details...  It might be another long while before I blog again.  Sounds like I might get a tad busy!