Thursday, July 31, 2025 – Day 352

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Good morning—it’s the last day of July. The summer is flying by. Is that something we ever say about winter? Probably not… at least not me.

Yesterday was a full one, thanks to our pirate-themed adventure. There was quite a bit of walking involved, paired with some well-spaced beverages—strictly for hydration, of course. 😄

We kicked things off with a pirate breakfast to get the kids into character and give them a chance to practice their “Arrrghs” with one eye closed. Then it was off to Eagle River to sail the seas aboard the pirate ship at Pirates Hideaway.

This place is a gem for families with young kids. Honestly, what child—or adult—doesn’t want to sail the high seas in search of treasure? The ship, the costumes, the pirate accents… it all made for a magical late morning on the lake. And the number of eagle nests we saw along the chain of lakes added an extra layer of fun. The boys, Wyatt and William, even got to pilot the ship from the wheelhouse. Definitely a highlight—except for the last ten minutes, when I started feeling a bit green around the gills. It was a two-hour tour, and boating isn’t always kind to me. Fortunately, it passed quickly and didn’t linger for the rest of the day. Felt like I dodged a cannonball on that one.

We stayed for lunch while the kids ran around and the adults enjoyed a few more beverages. I passed—having already had a beer on the boat and knowing I still had a hike ahead. It was a long downhill walk on a winding gravel path from the car to the lake, and I still had to climb back up. The good news? I had fins to the left and fins to the right, so this boy didn’t fall down.

On the way home, we made a quick detour to Andy’s Pontoon Saloon—really, we were only three miles away, so it would’ve been rude not to stop. But it had to be a short visit, because we had a big surprise waiting back at the cabin: a full-blown pirate treasure hunt.

A few stayed behind to get everything ready—pirate decorations, buried treasure, a hand-drawn map with clues, and a table set for the evening feast. I can’t tell you how fantastic it looked when we returned. Lis, Steve, and Cindy did yeoman’s work while the rest of us were off playing. These themed party days always leave a lasting impression—and fill up the photo album (Aura) with memories we’ll relive for years to come.

The treasure hunt itself was masterfully done. With a little help from adults reading the clues, the kids raced across the property, down to the lake and back, following each clue. Wyatt and William charged ahead like true buccaneers, Coco brought up the rear (but not for long), and I brought up the very rear. Seeing my struggles, Maria brought out the wheelchair and Dave jumped in to push me around so I could follow along. Grateful to them both.

After solving the sixth clue, the final treasure map was discovered. But even with the map in hand, the final “X” was tricky to find. It took a few grown-ups jumping in to help locate and dig up the treasure chest—honestly, the kids might still be searching if we hadn’t helped steer the ship. The thrill of the hunt had clearly shut down the logical parts of their little pirate brains.

When the chest was finally unearthed, the kids tore it open and found it brimming with loot. Coco, who had lagged behind for most of the hunt, wasn’t about to be late to the treasure. While the boys grabbed a few trinkets, Coco spotted the paper money and made a clean sweep. Still, there was plenty of jewelry and goodies to go around—and zero disappointment on anyone’s face. Earlier, the kids had made a blood oath to share their loot, so there was no backstabbing… or swordplay. A full success.

We wrapped it up with some pirate games, then fired up the grill for burgers and corn. The mission was clear: feed the kids before they staged a mutiny. Surprisingly, dinner went smoothly. You’d think after such a long, stimulating day, the little ones might turn into feral pirates—but aside from a few tired tears, no one had to walk the plank.

We ended the night with dessert and a group photo in full pirate attire (at least those still in costume). No official vote was taken, but Lis and Steve easily took the win for best costumes.

By then, I had burned through all my allotted energy—and probably borrowed from today’s reserves too. Thankfully, today’s schedule is light, and we’re going out for dinner, so no one has to spend the day prepping meals.

I fell asleep with a smile, thinking, “What a fun day that was!”

Have a great Thursday. Love you guys! ❤️