July 8, 2024

Experiencing Lake Life

My good friends and newlyweds Dina (Miller) & Ed Szwarc invited me to their Lake House, for the long 4th of July Weekend. We drove up to Sussex County, NJ, Lake Culver on Wednesday night. It took a little over 2.5 hours from Philadelphia, on roads with very little traffic and we stopped for a nice dinner on the way. Once there, I found accommodations to be quite POSH ! I got the Americana suite and scallop edged Charmin toilet tissue - a first for me ! Only the best in Sussex County!

Thursday the 4th started with a visit from the resident Swan family - Mom, Dad and 9 newborns. They are about 3 months old and have not learned to fly yet. Ed's son Chris caught a catfish, weighing just under 7# very quickly from the dock and released. Then we all boarded their pontoon boat and went to watch all the lake activity; including the annual water skiers parade around the lake.

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Lake Life is easy to get used to - just drop anchor - or tie up to friends and Float!

The lake is surrounded by all different style and price point homes. Here's some of the top priced to fixer uppers! The last one is currently for sale - a simple boat house complete with a porta potty since it has no septic or indoor plumbing, a mere $500,000 !

We enjoyed amazing food all weekend including a 19 hour smoked brisket, compliments of Chef Chris and his trusty smokemaster  ( a.k.a. Dad) Ed. Yummy desserts included my raspberry, whipped cream and meringues, blueberry, Eton messes and Italian donuts called Zeppoles.  We also got to see Fireworks three nights in a row.

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    19 hour smoked Beef Brisket

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    Father & Son Master Chef and Smoke Master

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    Eton Mess

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    Zeppoles

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    19 hour smoked beef brisket

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HOI ' AN, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 25, 2026
Next stop on the VIETNAM FUN TOUR is HOI'AN - The City of Laterns! I had arranged a private car to take us between all the major locations and towns for the 5 days we were touring the interior. He delivered us to Hoi'An in just about an hour from Ba Na Hills . Here we stayed 2 nights and had lots of relaxing time built in. Again the heat was oppressive! The driver recommended below tailor to me as I mentioned I might want to have a dress custom made as that is another thing the town is known for with 24 hour turn around.

HOI'AN, VIETNAM - Day 2

By Pat Patrick • August 25, 2026
Coconut Boat Tour sounds perfect to keep the Fun rolling! The hotel offered a tour, with pick up and return, so easy peasy!

BA NA HILLS - Part 3

By Pat Patrick • August 24, 2026
I had dubbed this the Fun Tour of Vietnam! We could have gone to all the historic war memorials and museums, and I totally respect and am grateful to All those who gave so much. I just didn't want that, to be my only insight into Vietnam and it's lovely people. In the morning, we again explored more of the village and our room stay included a huge buffet breakfast. We checked out by 10:30 am and took the cable car back down by 11 am to meet our driver and head to our next stop.