As I sit in the midst of a busy week, I can’t help but think back to a much less busy time–the lake. For 7 blissful days, the world is much more quiet, life is a bit more simpler, and life is considerably less hectic. Every year, our family packs the camper and boat to head to Kerr Lake for a week of family time and relaxation. Filled with hammock naps, fishing, kayaking, boat rides, reading, and campfires, the week at the lake is a treasured time that flies by all too quickly. It is something that we look forward to, but is bittersweet as it marks the end of summer. At least there are memories and photos to visit on weeks like this one where busy and hectic are the norm.
We started with 2 tubes, and by the end of the trip, we had broken them both…oops!
One of the days, we drove the boat up to a town for lunch. After docking the boat, we ate lunch at McDonalds, went to some shops, and got some ice cream.
I feel as though, it is a right of passage for all Linton boys to learn to drive the boat.
On one day, we always head to the marina to feed the ducks and fish, and grab some ice cream.
Islands are everywhere at the lake, and it is one of the boys’ favorite things to explore them.
This is perhaps one of my favorite photos.
Daddy turned another year older while at the lake. Mom made a birthday cake in the camper (talk about skills). The number on the cake may or may not be accurate. I won’t tell.
My family just got back from the week we look forward to all year– the lake! We spend a week at Kerr Lake near the Virginia Border with our camper and boat. It is a chance for us to get away and get some family time in. We definitely learn to be close with 6 of us crammed into one camper for 7 days.
During the span of the week, a lot happened. There were the staples of hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire, hammocks, and fishing, but there was also exploring abandoned buildings, ripped bathing suits, chiggers, thunderstorms, and picture perfect sunsets. All in all, it was the perfect family vacation 🙂
Kerr Lake has been a family destination for my whole life, going back to even when my mom was a girl. With a view like that, how can you blame us?
The lake is the result of the John H. Kerr Dam. In past years, we have walked across the dam. On the other side is the Dan River.
Kerr Lake is filled with all sorts of wildlife. One of my favorites is spotting bald eagles soaring in the sky. While this is not a bald eagle (I couldn’t get a decent photo), the osprey is still an awesome sight!
Geese came right up to the campsite too. Gideon decided to chase them with the kayak once. They did not appreciate it at all.
A tradition that we always have is to visit the local marina, grab some ice cream, and feed the fish and the ducks bread.
This guy is just the coolest to me. Dad thinks he is fugly, though.
Afterwards, we go and look at all of the sailboats docked at the marina.
Of course with so much water at our fingertips, we enjoy it as much as possible. That may involve kayaking or swimming.
Although we fish every year, we almost never catch anything.
Except for the floating dead one.
We are all about some tubing and knee boarding . We can get kind of crazy on the tubes.
While tubing leaves me sore in the morning, knee boarding does it even worse. As you can see with the following string of pictures, wiping out is not always pleasant.
This picture cracks me up to no end.
During our water excursions, we typically stop off at different islands to explore. At one we found old abandoned buildings. It was quite mystical.
On our last night, we had a campfire. The boys are little pyromaniacs, but I think their favorite part is dumping water on the fire to douse it.
Frisbee, walks, bike rides and of course cooking out are all on the to do list.
Mom and I like to read and bask in the sun.
Dad and Alec are basically obsessed with their hammocks.
Poor Alec wasn’t just about relaxation. He not only ripped his pants, but he also got chiggers.
Grandma and Papa always bring Bojangles to us when they come back with the other truck to pick the boat up. It was so good seeing them, and homemade pineapple ice cream made it even better.
Just in case you wanted to see a few more candids… you know, because I haven’t included enough pics as is 🙂
Kerr Lake was the perfect vacation, and might I add, that I love my Linton family time oh so much!
Rural Ris 
