Lake Geneva Weekend
When I was living in Chicago for all those years my friend Cindy would invite me up to Lake Geneva for weekends at her mom’s cottage on Sybil Lane. Fast forward a few years after Cindy and Duschan got married and they bought their own cottage on Sybil Lane, and then they would invite my family up for weekends. I have some of my best summer memories spending weekends there, so when Cindy invited me up for a weekend post retirement I agreed immediately. There are actually three sisters that all have cottages on the lane, Cindy, Peggy and Marilyn. So add in husbands, children, grand children and friends and that equals a fun time pretty much every single day there.
Sybil Lane has the longest pier on the lake! Great for swimming and boating and there is even a little sandy beach for the kids.
On Saturday morning Duschan always used to go into town and get awesome donuts, and I was so happy to find out that this is still happening.
I always go with the traditional cruller. Still as good as I remember.
Cindy had graciously also invited Keeley and Matt up for the fun, so it was great to introduce Matt to everyone and have him experience Sybil Lane. The weather wasn’t cooperating in terms of sunshine but it gave us a great opportunity to experience Chuck’s, a Lake Geneva legend.
Chuck’s has great beer and better than normal bar food. We had a big group so two tables.
Cindy is such a wonderful hostess. On Friday night she planned a “small” dinner with just 10 people, and served a great dinner to us. But shortly after dinner I looked around and there’s were no less than 25 people in the house drinking, talking and having fun. That’s how it is on Sybil Lane. Most people have had homes on the Lane for decades and it’s a party somewhere every night.
It did clear up on Saturday later in the afternoon so we were able to take a boat ride around the lake. That was a treat for those of us that don’t get the opportunity that often, and Lake Geneva is a beautiful lake with many lovely homes on it that are fun to see.
Adorable baby Milo is getting to be a real lake baby. Even though the water was a little rough he didn’t make a peep.
JT one of Peggy’s sons is an excellent diver, and proved to us all he’s still got it!
Another fun dinner cookout on Saturday night was hosted by Cindy and Duschan, and there were more people at that one. A very special dessert was served that I assisted with that morning. The favorite dessert from our sorority in college - Peppermint Crunch! It was a big hit and brought back a lot of fun memories.
A chocolate crunchy crust topped with peppermint ice cream😊
Keeley and Matt headed back to Chicago on Sunday, but since I was staying till Monday I was included in a very fancy cocktail party at a mansion on Lake Geneva for the Water Safety Patrol. Not sure I was really supposed to be there so I did my best to behave and luckily didn’t get tossed out. I felt like I was in an F. Scott Fitzgerald movie! The house was incredible and you could walk around the entire first floor and the guest wing off the infinity pool. There were a couple of bars set up for cocktails and lots of hor d’oeuvres being passed.
The guest quarters off the pool were amazing. There was a laundry room that had 3 big washers and 3 dryers in it and at least 50 beach towels in stacks by color along one wall.
Such a pretty evening and everyone looked really nice. Peggy and Scott. Cindy and Duschan. Cindy and me.
Another amazing thing to me was off the huge kitchen there was a large room just for dishes. One wall had floor to ceiling shelves and cabinets with at least 20 different sets of dishes, and the wall across from it had the same for the glass ware. I love dishes so that was my favorite room.
The dish room and a very cute bowl for bananas.
I did meet the owners and they were lovely and very welcoming. It was a special treat for me to get to be there, and then it was capped off with dinner at the country club that Cindy and Duschan belong to. Thanks guys!
Monday morning we were up bright and early for a little water skiing. To clarify, Cindy, Peggy, JT and Peggy’s daughter Amanda water skied. I had the best job. Holding baby Eleanor for the ride.
Another cutie! She is definitely going to be a skier!
I took my last walk on the lake after the water skiing - something Cindy and I do every day there that we can. Monday morning the weather couldn’t have been nicer, and you can actually walk around the entire lake - if you’re up for a 22 mile hike! Not today for me, but still so pleasant.
Such a fun and relaxing long weekend! I can’t wait to go back next year! Thanks to all that made me feel so welcome. And thanks to Cindy and Duschan for all the wonderful hospitality!
Next up - more friends and fun in Chicago!