Here it is. The Lady of the Lake at Clear Lake, Iowa. This photo was taken in July of 2018. It was the first time John and I went to the Lake, and the first time we attempted to get a boat ride. The boat takes a 90 minute cruise around the lake with guided commentary twice a day. Except when it doesn't. We have tried to board this boat every time we've been to the lake since that first year. It's been at least two or three times each summer. Eight years and we are still trying. Either it's in dry dock (Wednesdays), privately chartered, the weather isn't right or the water is too choppy. One time we were close enough to actually be in line. Unfortunately, the line was short three people, so it wouldn't go out. Those of us in the line even volunteered to buy the extra tickets. Some even tried to talk random walkers into joining the line. When that didn't work, everyone finally gave up.
This time we thought it was the charm. We got there early for the four o'clock tour. There were plenty of other people waiting, and all the signs were positive. We felt good. And then a lady called to us and told us it was cancelled. Her exact words were these, "They told us it was too hot for old people." Now I'm really not sure if that's what the workers said or if that was just her interpretation. But then we noticed that the people were all walking back, disappointed once again. The 7:00 trip was also cancelled, so once again we missed our chance. I really don't know what will happen if we ever actually set foot on this boat. But it has become a quest.
We love going to the Lake. This time it was miserably hot. Hotter than I can even describe. The weather just zapped all of the fun right out of our dehydrated, perspiring, exhausted bodies. So I have to say it was not my best birthday trip ever.
We went to the new exhibition center next to the Surf Ballroom. We've been waiting to see it since they started building it. I think the best thing about this building is the architecture. From the outside it promised a lot. Not so much inside. There was a really nice film about the history of the Ballroom. It lasted ten minutes. Then circles appeared on the wall with the names of entertainers who had played there. When visitors pressed the circles, a bigger circle appeared with a paragraph or two about them. That was the whole interactive experience. I expected a lot more than this place delivers. Upstairs is a rental venue. There are also a few displays in acrylic cases on the main floor, but not much. We felt like we saw it all in fifteen minutes, including the movie. I really hope that it just isn't finished yet. There is so much more to see at the Surf Ballroom. But now you need to buy a separate ticket for that at the new building.
As always, the food was good. We like to eat at The Half Moon and Sevens. We tried new places, but didn't have very good luck there. The first closed unexpectedly. The second just closed when we got inside because the air conditioning went out. The third one had too long of a wait because we didn't have reservations.
We skipped the evening entertainment on the Square, and also the Hampton County Fair on the way home. I don't think we will ever try to go again when the weather is so miserable.
All in all, I was feeling every bit of my advanced years this birthday. I am blaming it on the weather.
The best thing about coming home early was that I was able to look on MarketPlace and bought the exact set of twenty drawers that I've been wanting for my crafting/sewing room. That wouldn't have happened if we had stayed for all the fun we had planned.
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