Summers at the Lake

Much can be learned about life in the U.P. and about the enjoyable places to visit by reading this book. The placement of the importance of rituals and the simple life resonated throughout the book. Stott clearly delineated what it was like to ride his bike on country roads, paddle a canoe and swim laps on a scenic lake, visit local establishments, examine wildlife, and explore historical landmarks. The reader will be encouraged to explore the wonders of the U.P. while dipping their toes into the everyday experiences of life near Crooked Lake. --Sharon Brunner, U.P. Book Review Jon C. Stott delightfully described the many joys of lakeside living with the unchanging activities of summer. Deb Le Blanc's many photographs are stunning, enriching the text. Readers will feel like they are right there at the cabin next to the author. Stott says calendars are not required; just note the active fly type until summer is over and time has flown. Excerpts from the author's father's published writings show how lakeside living was the same for several generations that spent summers at the lake. Often locals will not reveal where their prized blueberry picking spot is, but we find out where the author found his. Famous poets and authors are quoted concerning flowers and typical sightings of the Upper Peninsula. Encounters with hummingbirds, loons, blue herons, and ducks are recounted. Dealing with older appliances, including televisions, meant adventures with fire and explosions. Lakeside clothing such as printed T-shirts, beekeepers' hats, and treasures are sorted according to events. Read about when Stott paddled his canoe four centuries into the past on a quiet morning. Take a trip back into the summers of your childhood and reminisce as you read. Nostalgic, melancholic memories. Anything but boring! --Carolyn Wilhelm, MA, Midwest Book Review