As I slowly wake up to the natural alarm clock of cotton trees softly rustling and the waves urging me to come for a morning swim, I realize life can't be much better than this. I roll out of bed in no hurry, though. The smoky, sulfur smell on my clothes reminds me of the late night of storytelling and laughter. I can't decide if I am hungry enough to eat breakfast or if I want to test the water out by taking the first ride of the day on a jet ski. As I step out of the camper, my eyes have to adjust to the gleam of the water. It looks like it is going to be an awesome day. Lake McConaughy is full of days like this one. Not only is it an amazing vacation spot, but it is home away from home.
Ever since I can remember, my family and friends have congregated to Lake McConaughy in the summers. It is located about ten miles from a little town named Ogallala, Nebraska. The town is also where my mom was raised and most of my family still lives. I guess you could say we have roots there. Now when people think of Nebraska, most think of flat, dry land. Maybe you could throw in a cow and a bunch of corn, too. Okay, there are places like that, but most of it is beautiful. Even the drive to the lake has you looking out the side windows of your car. Even to this day, I’m on the edge of my seat in the car as the rolling sandhills pass by, waiting in anticipation to see the first glimpse of the lake. Then boom, there it is. This massive body of water has fun in the sun written all over. Then, there is the choice of where to camp. It all depends on if we want to be surrounded be our friends all the time or if it is a family vacation. It doesn't even matter because we'll spend countless hours cruising the water to every edge.
Even more exciting is the first step out of the car. Your shoes are off even before you jump out. Stepping in the sand is like being in heaven. I swear this sand was imported from Hawaii because it is amazingly pure with almost a white color to it. This...