Lenny Ackerman
My adult children and grandson were waiting for me curbside at Bangor Airport. They had all arranged to gather at LaGuardia to fly up together for their exclusive week with Dad at camp. My son-in-law Peter was on his cell catching up with business as my daughters waved me over. After quick hugs and hellos, everyone piled in the Bronco, anxious to get to camp–but not before our planned stop for lunch at Governors, a family restaurant which is part of a chain exclusive to Maine.
A family week together at camp has become an annual event for the past several years. When we are all under one roof again it is immediately like old times, though we have had our separate homes for years now. Shared meals and campfire stories of times past and plans for times to come reconnect us and deepen bonds.
I planned to take everyone to Sucker Lake for fishing and a cookout. Kara and Peter opted out for yoga and conference calls. Brooke and Billy drove with me in the Bronco over the snowmobile path to the entrance of the lake area. A bumpy ride but the Bronco handled it as advertised. Greg met us there with a portable battery-operated motor for the rowboat moored at the shore. The motor was silent so the quiet of the lake was maintained as we traveled the short distance to a small island for a barbeque. Greg started his campfire while I waded into the water for a few casts. Billy tried his hand at wading and casting alongside me and I noticed he was more confident in his technique this year.
Lunch was a typical Lenny picnic menu: hamburgers with mustard and relish. The appetizers and dessert were catching a bass, so after a few bites I rushed everyone into the rowboat to find a spot where the fish were waiting for us.
We maneuvered over to promising-looking cove and before long Brooke and Billy caught several mid-size fish. Dad landed a few but the exercise was to have the kids experience the lake and its surroundings. There were no camps along the lake shore, no signs of anyone else. Just pure wilderness. Truly a heavenly place.
