The Fourth of July

I have spent every Fourth of July since birth at Birch Lake, Michigan with my family. Birch Lake is a gorgeous 295 acre lake in the small town of Vandalia, MI. I have been to several different lakes throughout the midwest over the years and have yet to find one that rivals its simplistic beauty. Although I still very much consider myself the swimming, fishing, turtle/frog/toad hunting kid I used to be, it has been amazing watching my children now begin to appreciate the lake-life and shed some of their city skin. They had such a great time just running around being kids...

Here are some photos from the weekend...

The first of many turtle hunts...more about the turtle races later

Ally and Meghan excited for a boat ride

Ally and Meghan on the boat

Matt, Ally and I on the boat

Matt driving the boat with my cousin, Jenny - Thanks Jenny!

Matt and Grandpa with a HUGE bass they caught off the pier

Ally and Meghan riding bikes - this was really Ally's first time riding and she did great!

Grandpa and J.J.

Ally and Meghan after enjoying Jay's birthday cake

The turtle races are really the highlight of Fourth of July weekend at Birch Lake. This was the 39th year of the races and they were awesome. Basically, kids (and adults) around the lake catch turtles and enter them in the race. They are grouped by size and are then marked with numbers painted on their backs. This year there were 8 heats - starting with the little guys, some of which are no bigger than a quarter, and finishing with the big boys. There are 2 tracks, one for the smallest two heats and the larger track for the bigger turtles. The turtles start in the middle of the course under a Weber Grill lid and have to race to reach the edge of the course, which is usually a rope or extension cord laid out in a giant circle...see photos below...it's hard to explain.

This guy looks fast...don't ya think?

The turtles are under that lid, the first to reach the rope wins!

The races take place on the lawns of a couple of cottages in the cove. Everyone gets there early with blankets, drinks and dollars. The first hour or so is spent eyeing up all of the turtles and placing bets. After all bets are placed, the mic is opened up for joke telling, singing, storytelling...whatever. The MC guy is hilarious and all the kids telling jokes are great. Matty told two this year! It takes about 30 minutes to set the odds, then the races begin. This year I bet $12 total and made $14...one of my few years not in the red.

All in all, we had a great, great weekend. A special thanks to all of my family, especially my grandmother. I love you all so much...here's to many more years at Birch Lake!