An Evening on Crescent Lake
The lake calms itself from the day’s revelries and the late afternoon wind, just as the sun starts its final arc to the far side of the planet. The light is soft, the lake is still, and our boat cuts through the water effortlessly.
Our golden-on-the-go, Pip, lays his chin on the aft deck, transfixed by the wake while we putter at trolling speed past the lakeside cabins. Dreaming, all of us, I suppose. Pip of bunnies and butterflies and me of roosting in one of those cabins, setting up a base camp where children come to play and grownups sip cocktails on the porch, while the sun sets behind us and all things possible lay before us.
My better half is probably dreaming about how he’s going to pay for everyone else’s dreams. Heavy sigh.
I’m a believer in planting one’s dreams firmly in the stars, handling what's in front of you, and letting the Universe conspire in your favor.
I also strongly believe – as does Pippin – in the virtues of al fresco meals out-of-doors. To this end, we dock the boat and head to the patio at “The Pines,” a fine restaurant at Crescent Lake Resort. Pippin is not allowed, technically, but as the hour gets later and the crowds thin, the rules seem to bend a little if not outright break. (Okay, we outright broke the rules and took Pip with us to dinner, where Mike fed him shrimp and pasta off a fork. Yeah.)
But back to the menu: The Pines boasts a long list of appetizers which includes the naughty deep-fat-fried variety that we all love, such as French fries, mozzarella sticks, and halibut bits. They also offer soup, salad, bruscetta and other healthy fare. Dinner choices range from rib eye and New York steaks to Cobb and Caesar salads, and yes – chicken and shrimp pasta suitable to most any palate. And the shrimp aren’t wimpy little baby-size things. No; these shrimp are big and plump and juicy fare, lightly spiced and char grilled. Yum City.
The Pines also serves breakfast and lunch and is open year round. They have a full bar inside, a huge fireplace and cheerful dining area, all overlooking the most magnificent lake.
Settling into out pet-friendly cabin, Pip breaks another rule and flops happily onto the couch. Seeing that coming, of course, I have a nice big towel all laid out, special for him. Yes, it’s the height of summer, but nights dip down into the 40s so the hubby gets a nice blaze going in the fireplace (read: Duraflame and a match). And thank the good lord for wifi; I don’t like to leave home without it.
Our day all in all? The stuff from which dreams are made.
Photo courtesy of Homes.com
