I had a great 4th of July. Got invited to take a boat trip on the Portage lakes with some friends and we had a really good time. The day started at about 10:30 when we met up and headed to the lake. The rented boat wasn’t ready for us yet, so we went into the bar and had some drinks – I entertained the group with some paper folding. We got the word that the boat was ready so drinks were finished and we loaded up. Most of lakes and channels are “no-wake” zones so it was slow going, but we had our sandwiches and enjoyed the sunshine and the breeze.
We were quite a ways out when we had to turn back to pick up a late arrival. Once he was on board we headed out again to a spot where we could stop and swim for a bit. A few of us jumped out of the boat and enjoyed the water. And since the visibility in the water was about 0 feet, I almost immediately took off my trunks. At one point, while I was treading water, one of my friends saw the trunks in my hand and grinned. In a few moments, his trunks also surfaced in his hand. I don’t think anyone else joined us, or if they did, they were even more subtle than we were. It was very freeing and I was a little disappointed that we didn’t stay there longer. So, trunks back on, we all climbed back into the boat. Which was easier said than done – it was a pontoon boat with no ladder. A few of us managed – barely – to pull ourselves back on the boat, but most needed someone to pull them up.
We cruised around the lakes for a while longer, then stopped again. I doffed my trunks and tried to swim down to the anchor, but it was too cold down there. The second swimming trip was cut short since we had to get back, but it was still fun. We pulled into the dock right on time and got all the gear unloaded.
Later that evening I went to IHOP and some amazing pancakes. Didn’t watch any fireworks this 4th, but still enjoyed the day off.