Spent the day at the Lake yesterday.

Not being a local, I was a little confused. Is this lake or river? I looked it up a little more and left more confused. We spent the day on the lake part of the river. How's that for an answer?

A class on local geography could be useful. Dams, wiers, lakes, rivers, oh my. They are all inter-connected somehow. I just grew up by the ocean - that was simpler.

But yeah, I think it is a section of the River that is damned off. So thus, it is a lake.

Anyway, the frugal victory? We went over there for a friend's B-day BBQ, and she tells me there is free parking just outside the paid lot. "Huh?" I had been over there before and was quite sure she was crazy. Though I had only been there once, in this particular spot, BM and I have been meaning to return for a bike ride. IT's a bit of a drive (25 miles?), but a beautiful, long, mostly flat bike path. Willing to pay $10 for the pleasure to park there.

So we arrived yesterday, and wouldn't you know it? Free parking - lot not even full at noon?

We chose to pay yesterday because I had a ton of food and such, to lug in, BUT for bike riding, the free lot is a GREAT option. That was our frugal victory.

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BM had a BLAST yesterday. HE went out on a canoe with his friend and a couple of adults. He also went swimming in the lake/river. Oh - and rode his bike around. I didn't do much but eat and relax. We were going to go on a longer bike ride, but there was an injury just one minute in - so in the end I didn't ride at all. BM and I will probably go on a ride today, closer to home, to make up for it.

BM got scratched up and no one had any napkins or anything at that point, so I broke out the first aid kit from my car. I think it's been sitting there unopened, for 16 years? So that was interesting. Made me think it wouldn't be the worst to have a first aid kit for bike rides. I usually carry a fanny pack for my keys and cell phone anyway. Some bandaids and guaze would be a good addition. Turned out to be a minor scratch, but there was plenty of blood until we determined that. !! (Not sure if BM would classify it as minor. He refused to ride for many hours after that).

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After spending like 6 hours at the lake, we went to dinner with dh's friends. As we hosted them so they could rest on their drive to Tahoe.

Oh yes - and Murphy is still here. I flipped on the air in the evening, at home, and it wouldn't switch on. It did that once to me before, and dh thought I was crazy. (It was a while ago - might have been the heat actually - last time). So dh saw for himself that I was not crazy.

Learned something new - thought we had a whole house fan, but not sure how to use it. Dh got it on and it felt okay. Later he somehow got the AC to kick on, but I am thinking now that the fan is ample for evenings (cool air outside). We will experiment with it.

I hope the AC is like last time - that it was just a fluke - we may want to get it serviced one of these days though. Maybe before next summer. Will see! (It's the thermostat it seems - but could be more).

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Murphy was nice to us too though. The only rush on my $1k computer repair on the van was so it would pass smog. I got my DMV renewal - and um - no smog due? It hasn't been smogged since 2006. Seriously? I was sure it was every 3 years. Maybe I am forgetting a smog in years past. ??? I'll have to check.

Might get a free pass. Will get it fixed, likely this year, but at least we can space it out a bit from the pricey door repair of next week (we're taking it in Monday!).

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I bought some piano music and so will get to try some of it out today. I told BM we'd go on a bike ride. Not much else planned - just need a lazy day (at home!)

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I leave you with pictures from the day:

The View


Their canoe in the distance...