July 4th, 2011, Monday

Dave and Laura left early to head back to Hudson, WI. Levi was up earlier than the other kids and went out to the dock to check things out. He was startled and amazed to view a bald eagle swoop by the large cottonwood tree and drop a half-eaten bullhead near the boulders - a great start to the 4th of July! (bald eagle sighting). He canoed out to the reeds on his own and got up close to a family of loons. The weather was great again - sunny, temps in the 80s, with a southwest breeze. There was heavy lake boat traffic, much use of the Checkmate, and general laying around enjoying the lake time. Cathy and Sarah left around 4:00 p.m. to get back to work. After dinner, Dave, Sarah, Mitch, and Megan headed to the Al's point weed bed for some pan fishing action and got it - often a fish every catch. The rest of us watched a major storm front approaching from the northwest with lightning nearly every second. They came back with a basketful of fish near sunset. After cleaning, the dudes played some Yahtzee (which Jack won handily). Near the end, the storm hit with a mighty blast, sending the tubes (stored on the deck) flying down to the road. After some heavy rain and wind it was over by 11:30 p.m.