Dad summarizes Houghton Lake summers: "Fishing with Mr. Kenyon. Relaxing on the lakefront with Mom. Campfires. Cold swims. Playing games with the Dubays and Kenyons. Tubing at Pine Topper. Fishing."
We have occasionally gone up to Mackinac Island for the day at some point during the week. My first trip was in 1990. Everyone in all three families went up together. We all rented bikes and rode around the island together. Our families made picnic lunches, which we ate beneath the shade of trees. I’ve been up to the island about four or five times in the past seventeen years. I’ve done bike tours and carriage tours, explored Fort Michilimacinac, and viewed the island from Arch Rock.
One big tradition of Houghton Lake is another day trip for ladies only. In the early part of the week, the three moms and three (or four) daughters caravan up to Gwen Frostic in Benzonia. This trip used to be only for the moms, but us daughters eventually were allowed to come. We drive two hours to Benzonia and have lunch at the Brookside Inn. We walk next door to the Cherry Hut for pies and jams and then travel down the road to Gwen’s. We stock up on cards, pads, and wrapping paper. When we’ve finished there, we head over to Bee-Dazzled to get gifts made from honey and bee’s wax. Then we go back to Brookside for dessert, usually chocolate-chunk macaroons. Yummy! :-) This day trip is one of the most beloved traditions.
In 1992, a new tradition began. This was the cottage mini-Olympics. Our week at Houghton Lake that year coincided with the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, so we decided to have our version of Olympics. They’ve stuck with us ever since then. The games are run by Mrs. Dubay, though we’ve been helping out a bit more as we’ve gotten older. We have fun events like a three-legged race, balloon toss, and broom-throwing. The events vary every year, but these three remain no matter what. We have small prizes for each event. The Olympics are a favorite of everyone, including the various guests we’ve had throughout the years.
Even though we’re getting older, all nine kids have a hard time staying away. Us youngest kids (me, Allison, and Tommy) have never missed a day of the trip. The other kids come as often as they can, for at least two days. I always try to arrange for time off with my summer jobs so I don’t miss a moment of the fun!
