Every year Brenda and I rent a cabin on a small private lake near the little town of Isle, MN.  It’s a damn good thing it’s private, as we tend to partake in many shenanigans.  If we were surrounded by neighbors, we more than likely would-be A:  ridiculed, B:  possibly reported to the authorities for some reason or C:  asked if people could join in (which is out of the question).

This has been going on for Eight years now.  Originally it began as a talent show, yes, a talent show featuring just myself and Brenda.  There was a secret ballot, we were judged by each other and our dog to determine who would be the winner.  I usually won.

The talent show of our annual vacation has been suspended.  Mainly because it causes Brenda a great deal of stress.  Fair enough, I mean I’m an actor and she’s a librarian.  Kind of polar opposites in terms of “Hey, let’s get up and perform something.” 

That said, it has now turned into a series of competitions.  Some timed, some point based, it depends.  This is a much more even match. 

Here are the outcomes of this year’s competitions.

SCAVANGER HUNT

The list includes both finding actual objects or taking photos of things listed. 

The scoring is simple:  10 points for each object and then various bonus points for those things more difficult to ‘scavenge’. 

The game was elevated this year by including things on the list that could only be found in town.

I won this competition because of the critical bonus photo of an elderly person in a golf cart with  a cane.  This was taken at the Isle farmer’s market.

FLOATIE PEBBLE TOSS

Brenda just ran away with this.  Her toss was on point, she took her time.  All of her meditation is paying off.

FLOATIE IN & OUT, IN & OUT, IN & OUT.

Usually, this competition is only one in and out, but the stakes were raised this year to three in and outs.  I honestly don’t know what Brenda was doing.  We both had developed and practiced the underwaterjumpin technique and it was like she didn’t even know it existed.   Oh well, I took this competition hands down!

FIRE STARTING

This is a timed competition.  We gather our tinder before hand, and using magnesium and flint start a fire and the first to burn through a piece of twine the fastest wins.

Well, Brenda just SMOKED me (excuse the pun) in this competition. I was NOT pleased with my performance.

OBSTACLE COURSE

This is a yearly race.  This year there were some exciting new elements of more cardio, and a blindfolded section.

These are the things we do when isolated on 120 acres for two and a half weeks.  That and a whole lot of other exciting things.  Please enjoy the videos! 

*Soon to come… Lady Roo Toastcrumb’s account of her time at the lake!