A Summer's Night On Lake Kegonsa : Newborn & Family Photographer Madison, WI

I want to live in the land of lakes where the great waves break & the night runs into the day.

-Lord Huron

Tammy called me just as the ice was beginning to break up on Lake Kegonsa. As Wisconsinites, we all had visions of hot summer days, but the reality was that most of us were still wearing Smartwool socks & continued to cocoon ourselves in multiple down blankets that day. And yet setting the plan actually felt like Hope at that time–that it would be warm enough to wear swimming suits without parkas. To jump IN the lake.

The calendar pages flew off the wall and before I knew it I was greeted by Tammy, Reece, and new pup, Sadie at the lake house door. A long wooden pier led us to Jeff & the cherry red speed boat that chauffeured us around Lake Kegnosa on a show-stopping gorgeous evening.

Within moments we had wind in our hair, streaming through Reece’s fingers, ruffling Sadie’s downy fur. We sailed across the water, chopping, gliding, moving in circles under a cloudless sky so much so that it felt we were on a dance floor with the sun serving as our disco ball. A little bit dizzying, a whole lot of exhilaration.

Jeff stopped for some packed dinner sandwiches. There was chatter and laughter while the boat bobbed in the gentle wake of other boats. Reece talked of baseball & hockey & boating & family. The tube took up space in the narrow passage between the captain and the bow-rider, and then we headed out to a special pocket to let Reece loose. The water, even at the end of July, appeared invigorating. We picked up speed, Reece trailed behind with the steadiness of a trained bull rider. There were moments, I kid you not, he was completely off the tube and parallel with the water. Flying. A boy’s summer, for sure.