The Houseboat Vacation

I'm sure everyone has had vacations that didn't turn out quite right or left you disappointed. We had one year's vacation that wins the prize for disappointing-the year we rented a houseboat for a week on a large Minnesota lake. Besides the long drive to get there and back we chose a week in July that was cool and cloudy.

Unlike the pictures, the houseboat was well used but the accommodations were adequate for our family of four. Brent opted not to join us so instead we had our Japanese exchange student who was willing to go along. We loaded up our supplies and luggage and took off on the huge lake with plans to meet a fishing guide for one day and restock supplies midweek.

The professional fishing guide helped John find one relatively small fish for his day's work. We caught nothing the rest of the week. That affected our meal plans as we anticipated eating lots of fish. On the first night we discovered that instead of fish inhabiting the lake it was mosquitoes that had control. Big healthy mosquitoes. We had the lights on for playing cards and suddenly there was a loud buzzing and our houseboat was a swarm of mosquitoes. We quickly turned off the lights and laid in our beds listening to the buzzing around our heads. It was unbelievable. We swatted and sprayed and learned our lesson to have no lights after dark.

On Wednesday we waited for the supplies but no one came. In fact, we didn't see another boat all the time we were on the lake. That should tell you something. John had to take the fishing boat back to the lodge and purchase supplies. We were afraid we would run out of fuel as well. The folks told us they couldn't find us. It was because they had given us an old map that included some inlets that were supposed to be closed. It was an experience we will never forget.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).