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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RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA - Drone Shots

By Patricia Patrick • January 14, 2026
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below:

RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA - More Drift Snorkeling

By Patricia Patrick • January 13, 2026
The water in Rangiroa is so spectacular, I wanted to spend more time drift snorkeling and checking out the area called " The Aquarium ". So today I went back out for a 3 hour session to do 3 drift passes in Tiputa pass and then spent an hour in an area with wonderful healthy corals and tons of fish, earning it the nickname " The Aquarium ".

RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

By Patricia Patrick • January 13, 2026
Today felt like we were inside a Computer Screen Saver! You know how everybody has one of those amazing beach shots on their home screens ? I am guessing we were in the place where most of them are filmed! Rangiroa is the 2nd largest atoll in the world, and its lagoon feels like its own ocean, it's huge! It is famous worldwide for "drift" diving and snorkeling, due to its fast moving current, crystal clear water and excellent visibility. We joined a group of 44 Residents in an all day adventure.