Summer '25's Lone Eight Point Excursion

What's up, Internet.

Stopped off at Lake General Store for some supplies before reaching the lake.

This summer's been unique in the sense that we haven't undertaken a single Eight Point Lake trip whatsoever. Everyone's schedules have been insane this year: the Whites are busy as all hell with Jax's baseball season, Chris and Jeff are occupied with their young kids, and we almost always have insanely-packed weekends (as you've seen in previous posts.) Usually by the time we will have all been up to the lakehouse for a couple overnight trips by this point - at least for the go-to Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends - but it just wasn't in the cards this year.

Looks like our neighbors copied our giant, inflatable raft idea. . . .

Finally, today, my folks decided to try and get the whole family up there for at least a day trip. Somehow, the planets aligned and everyone was able to make this Sunday work: while the lake level was still insanely low - lower than it's been for twenty-some years, I was told - the weather was perfect (sunny and high 70s for most of the day.) We got there around lunchtime, same as my brothers and their respective families, and the Whites rolled in an hour or two after us (because Jill runs habitually late, as a general rule.)

(I'm a snappy dresser, what can I say. . .)

We spent most of the day out on the lake, tubing and sandbar'ing, which is ideal. Then, after everyone had eaten dinner, folks packed up and headed home. So yeah, a short trip - we didn't even bother hauling the dogs up with us - but it was great to be able to get some lake in this summer, even if it was brief.

I'll leave you now with a bunch of pics and video that we took throughout the day.

Enjoy. . .

When we rolled in, my brother Chris and his family were already there and his kids were all soon swimming in what's left of the lake (which had receded far back from the sea wall.) My folks got a pic of the girls as they headed down to the water.

As always, the second the Whites rolled in - an hour or so behind us - Brian was forced to immediately report to his boat to start shuttling kids around on the lake in a tube. I offered to help him out with spotting, since misery loves company.

You might not be able to tell, but the water here is far shallower than I've ever seen it. Which is great if you're like four years old and don't know how to swim.

My cousin Rachel came along too so her daughter could try tubing behind Brian's boat, but first we let Jax and Owen get beat up for awhile in order to get it out of their system.

Waiting for Owen to swim back to the tube after he was thrown off. After they had gone fast for a bit we pulled them in so that Rachel's kid could hop on for a spell.

Puttin' along.

Abby was looking for more of a high-intensity thrill ride, more akin to what Jax and Owen had gotten previously, but her turn paired her up with Kinsley and Rachel's kid. . . soooo it was super boring. She was a good sport about it, though.

WEEEEEEEEEEE

Jax (standing), Owen and Levi have a turn on the tube.

Like the crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis.

I was hoping Brian would've cranked the wheel hard and thrown him, but he never was able to.

Coming in from the boating venture, it was time for some mid-afternoon snacks - courtesy of Nana - up in the kitchen.

Dips galore.

After folks had grabbed something to eat, we started loading up the boat with supplies for an hours-long stint up at the now-enormous Sandbar (which is even more prolific now that the water level is so damn low.)

So many people were going that Brian had to make a couple trips out there. I was on the first wave with Carissa, Rachel, Abby, Jax, Owen, Kinsley, and Rachel's kid.

Kids explore the newly-revealed shallows around the Sandbar.

A couple years ago I met the guy that made this and complimented him on his work. It's so handy to have a cup-holder up here all year, every year.

The giant-ass Sandbar, bigger and better than ever (except for all the seagull poop that's scattered everywhere now - they've discovered the Sandbar thanks to the receding waters.)

When the second wave of people arrived, Jill brought up a volleyball from the lakehouse and they (sort of) got a game going.

Chris and his boys.

The Cannonball was on music detail this afternoon, streaming one of her playlists to my JBL (hooked on the back of the chair.)

The Cannonball takes a few selfies for her social media presence (I assume.)

Nicole, Kris, Carissa, and Jeff (and someone's kid, I can't tell which one.)

Jax found a turtle over in the lily pads and brought it over for everyone to check out.

You'd think he had just uncovered a gold ingot or something the way everyone stood around gawking at it. It's a turtle, guys - chill out.

Chris and brought out the jet ski so he could give his kids rides if they got bored at the Sandbar (which only holds kids' interest for so long.)

Carissa, Alayna and Kris. 

The Borthers

Oldest to Youngest, as the law dictates.

More volleyball.

Heading back to the lakehouse after a couple sun-soaked hours at the Sandbar.

Alayna and Kris

I need a haircut again, I look like a homeless man.

Coming ashore, just around dinner time. Jill's probably directing me to grab something.

I've had the lime variety of this, but saw this pilsner offering up at the Lake General Store and figured I'd give it a go. It was meh.

Lucy was up visiting - her and my folks hung back at the lakehouse while we were out with all the kids. They were the smart ones.

Scarlett is approaching her teenage phase, if you can't tell.

Kris, Jill, and some of the kids accompanied Brian out on one, final tubing adventure after dinner (I hung back since I don't like riding backwards on a boat after eating, always makes me nauseous.)

Heading out with Bradley and his friend (didn't catch his name) on the chariot tube.

(Abby took this video, I think.)

Back on shore after the tubing venture, folks began to pack up their crap and gather up their kids. We'd been up there for about seven hours, and folks were pooped from a full day in the sun.

Who got out the volleyball?

After saying our goodbyes, one by one the siblings and their families - us included - headed off for home. Abby conked out immediately and slept the entire way back to Midland.

Minutes after we had pulled out of the driveway, my buddy Sara - Trevor's wife - texted me a pic of our cottage as they puttered by in a pontoon (capturing Kinsley heading up the stairs in the process.) Apparently they were up at the lake visiting our mutual friend, Matt Lee, who had just arrived a day before from San Francisco. We had tried to connect while we were up at the Sandbar earlier in the day, but he was in the middle of family crap and couldn't escape. Would've been cool to see all of them while we were up there but we had a good time just hanging out with just the family today. Sucks the lake situation was so crappy this year - we're hoping next summer is a return to form.

- Brian

A Return to Shantytown, Pt. II

 (contd.)

Today was going to be a far different sort of 'Jellystone' day - something we haven't done before.  After a fairly early rise around the campsite, all the dads in our group loaded up their golf clubs, mixed up some bloody marys, and caravaned north to Gaylord in order to squeeze in 18 holes at the Black Bear Golf Course.

Butterfield teeing off on the first hole.

These golf carts had like zero pick-up, definitely some of the worst I've ever driven.

BP and I don't golf at all, but being able to drive around all day in a golf cart, have some drinks, and listen to music (I brought along my JBL bluetooth boombox) sounds pretty damn good to us.  We didn't have to pay anything, either - can't beat that.

Omkar takes his shot.

Coach Lonnie Big Balls

This course was definitely not in the best shape, the golfers were kinda pissed about it.  It looked as if they hadn't watered it in years, and were just letting nature reclaim the land.

Missed it.

Collier

Butterfield and Collier had to scour this dried up creek bed for a missing ball.  Good thing the ditch wasn't lined with thousands of small, white rocks. . .

Gorgeous weather, though - no complaints there.

The 'sand traps' - if you could even call them that - were overgrown with weeds.  The rake placed nearby must have been done so ironically.

Baby Driver, using his driver.

Meanwhile, back at the campground, the moms took all the kids down to the pool/rec area for most of the late morning/afternoon.  Kris attempted getting a bunch of the kids all jumping up into the air at the same time.  Left to Right: Ella, Abby, Sophie, Alivia, Delia, and LJ.

Snagged a group picture half-way through the course (feat. BP and I with golf clubs. . . for whatever reason.)

Having a brain fart here - what's the name of this game called?  Chicken?

Abby and Ella vs. Sophie and Alivia

BP.  Not golfing.

Omkar let's the gang know what's up.

Having some lunch - which was just cheap hot dogs and brats - half-way through the course.

Running by the pool.  Just like you're supposed to be doing.  Thank God the moms were all keeping a close eye on things.

Taking a break from swimming

Tom and Erik discuss strategy (I assume.  I don't know, I f***ing hate golf.)

This dried-up, piece of shit course was just covered in brittle, brown grass - I can't believe they paid to play here.

Me and BP's cart setup.  Thug life.

Back at the pool - Kris, Courtney, and Mees

When not taking pictures, this is how I spent the majority of my time while the others were golfing. . . 

Lonnie and Morgan

Omkar misses once again. . . 

Starting to get a little overcast as it rolls into the late afternoon.

FINALLY.  BP and I didn't realize they had signed up for a full 18 holes, so this took up a huge portion of the day.  Granted, we'd just be sitting around the campsite playing cornhole anyway, but still - if they end up doing this again next year I'd probably bow out.  9 holes is fine, but not 18. . .

Putting on the last hole, at long last.

On the last hole Ryan stole my SLR to snap some pics of BP and I 'playing golf'. . .

Contemplating the shot

Playing a game, back at the campsite

Ella does the Cannonball's hair

Abby, Delia, Alivia, and Sophie

Sophie and Teagan, creating more mud balls.  I don't understand the childhood obsession with this nonsense.

Sam, Kris, Danielle, and Susan

Just look at what these little bastards did to the tablecloth. . . hate kids.

We rolled back in to camp shortly before dinner - ideal timing on our parts, for sure.

Kids precariously eating in one of the gear trailers. . .

Houghs and Larsons

So there has been this 'trend' on 'Tik Tok' (so I'm told - I don't use social media anymore) where people each hold a mouthful of water in their mouths and take turns slapping each other in the face with a tortilla.  The moms have been a big fan of this, and had been doing it a lot lately, so Kris got some footage of the girls trying it out in their tent.

Butterfield and Collier

In the early evening, they held some kinda kid volleyball tourney with Yogi and. . . um. . . female Yogi.

(You can spot Abby in the hoodie and shorts, off towards the left.)

Delia, Abby, Sophie, Alivia, and Yogi (or, some teenager being paid $8 an hour to wear this hot-ass Yogi costume.)

(Kris wanted another selfie.)

Female Yogi waltzed over for another group pic.

Back at the campsite, we started a fire as the evening drew on.

Erik, Lonnie, and Morgan

Mees, Susan and Stephanie show off their newly-acquired Jellystone hoodies. . .

Probably the gayest picture of BP and I in existence.

More of the tortilla-in-the-face trend, feat. Mees and Courtney.  I hate Tik Tok so frickin'  much. . .

Kris and Abby

Some really handsome guy

Another awesome time by the fire, as Day Two winds to a close. . .

- Brian