Alabama Day 8 - Lake Guntersville

"Avast ye dogs! Lower the main and batten down the hatches!" Some of the games we've been playing this week had us talking like pirates and we've spent a good deal of time singing sea shanties as well. But since the High Seas are too far away, Chris rented us a pontoon boat to take out on nearby Lake Guntersville. And what a gorgeous and perfect day it was!

Christian is excited about the boat

Sava and Joyful reenact a scene from Titanic
while listening to a metal version of My Heart Will Go On. 

Hanging out in the back of the boat

We set sail down the Tennessee river to reach the large lake. The kids were excited to be on the boat as were we all. And of course Joyful lead us all in a few rounds of What to do with a Drunken Sailor. The most popular song this week was very catchy and would have been perfect if not for the presence of the kids. We ended up listening to and singing quite a few songs on the way out and back. Joyful even danced!

   Joyful dances a jig

Chris was incredibly kind and let all the kids take turns driving the boat, for quite a long time! Christian was overly excited the first time and couldn't keep his hands off the throttle. And of course he did a donut right away. But the second time he drove he was great! Careful and responsible. Jon also did a fantastic job and drove for quite a while, taking us underneath one of the bridges too. I was impressed with all the boys and really want to rent a boat this summer! (I also wish the guys would come out to NH so we could all go out on Lake Winnipesaukee.) 

Christian was so excited to drive!

Jon's turn to drive

The kids all wore their bathing suits but it was a little chilly on the boat despite the sun and only Christian wanted to swim. The water too wasn't as clear as our lakes with a fair amount of plant life floating around. Christian however desperately wanted to jump in and was begging for anyone to go in with him. Joyful acquiesced and they both dove in!

Joyful and Christian go for a dip

Me and Joyful on the ride home

Will and Jon spent a good deal of time reading on the boat

Sava and Xenaz

Jon is cold! He's always cold

On the ride back to the dock Xenaz's hat flew off into the water! Christian and Joyful were both willing to jump back in to retrieve it but after circling back with some skillful driving Chris was able to get us near enough to grab it. 

Christian watching for a chance to grab Xenaz's hat

Watching for the hat

Freitag boys in the back of the boat

Chris had rented the boat for the whole day but after 3 or 4 hours Will and Jon were ready to be done and we thought it would be good for the guys to have some adult time too. So they dropped us back at the dock and set sail again for more adventure. James and I took the kids home and that gave us plenty of time for a swim, a nap (for me), and a chance to wash and pack up most of our stuff in preparation for the drive tomorrow. 

When the guys got home they were only a tiny bit sunburned. Sava was in charge of dinner tonight and he had spent last night preparing the pizza dough. He made us the most wonderful stuffed crust pizza I've ever had. (James says it was Chicago style deep dish which I am not familiar with.) Normally I don't find homemade pizza particularly impressive but this was amazing! The kids were enthralled and Christian in particular was effusive in his delight. It was a huge hit but wow was it also filling!

We were all pretty tired and tomorrow is going to be long so no one stayed up very late. But I got to go out for a walk with Sava and it was really nice to talk. He and Chris are leaving super early tomorrow so I won't get to say goodbye to them then. It was a good last day of a great trip and I am so happy that we got to do this.