I think you had to be there.

This weekend was my dear friend Jennifer’s 30th birthday.

She’s just a wee chick! A lamb! A sassy young thing!

And that’s why all her girls celebrated her in style with a trip up to her family cabin for the night.

Woo!

I took some pictures with my phone. And since I don’t have a camera, they’ll have to do, won’t they?

The adventure began with the trip up on two boats, both of which took us through a rainstorm, some large swells, and a handful of serious wind gusts. Yikes!

Here’s what I could see from the back of the boat:

And here’s Jenn enjoying the ride:

Nice shades, girlfriend.

Now, let me tell you.

Jenn’s cabin? So lovely.

I’ve actually known her husband’s family longer than I’ve known Jenn herself, so I’ve been there quite a few times. But the place recently underwent a renovation and it’s gorgeous. Just like Jenn, of course.

Here’s a few views from the deck:

And here’s a view OF the deck:

Are those chairs not perfect?

We had a great time, believe me. We played ridiculous games, discussed inappropriate things, and ate a LOT of munchies. Whoa, did we eat. My homemade salsa and guacamole, samosas, wings, quiches, potato salad, and MUCH, MUCH MORE.

We also went skinny dipping at midnight (sorry, Dad.)

Now, before I tell you what happened to me, I should tell you that I injured myself earlier in the day by tumbling in the boat. My knee, more specifically.

Because I am a PARAGON OF GRACE.

Anyway, back to moonlight swimming.

The phosphorescence was BEAUTIFUL, the water was cool but lovely, and we all had a great time trying not to wake the neighbours. Unfortunately, when we went to climb out, I realized the ladder was missing all but the top rungs.

Trying to pull myself up with a bad knee was impossible. I simply couldn’t do it. So I tried swinging my leg onto the dock to hoist myself up.

OW.

No dice. I’d pretty much rather have been shot out of a cannon than feel that particular “twinge” of pain again.

So I had to get creative.

Once everyone else was safely out of eye view, I swam over to the rocks, and climbed stealthily (if dragging one’s leg and going “OUCH. OH. CRAP. OUCH. @$#%!” can be considered stealth) up out of the ocean over millions of barnacles and mussels.

OW.

Yeah.

Scratches where there shouldn’t be any.

(I can’t imagine it was pleasant for the barnacles, either.)

Then I realized I couldn’t actually get from the rocks to the boardwalk up to the lower deck of the cabin. I was stranded by a three-foot divide full of heinous-looking brambles.

So I did what any self-respecting naked person would do in the dead of night.

I swung from a tree and flung myself onto the boardwalk railing.

OW.

Thank heavens I only had one bad knee, or I surely would have bounced back to “commune” with the brambles.

Instead, I squeezed in between the railings, terribly impressed at my Jennifer Garner-like agility, and landed with a thump on the boardwalk (with a string of Christmas bulbs wrapped jauntily around my ankle.)

Then all the motion sensor lights came on like I’d tried to escape from Guantanamo Bay.

The jig was up, friends.

And suddenly the towel Laura had left me there seemed so very small.

Sigh.

But.

I dried off, we all laughed, and I could still get around with a limp. Cue more silly games and eating.

There was so much food and fun that by the time Sunday morning rolled around, we were pretty much ready for a whole other day of napping:

But… we had to go home.

That was a good trip, too:

And I looked terribly foxy after a swim the night before, sleeping on wet hair, not showering, skipping the aid of makeup or hairstyling, and riding in a fast boat:

With continued sketchiness once we got on the ferry:

That, my friends? Is Tired Meg.

Super Tired Meg. Tired Meg with Extra Flavour.

Also? I have no apparent neck.

Anyway.

Jennifer, we all love you, and we were so honoured and blessed to be there with you to celebrate this milestone. You’re an incredible woman, an incredible friend, an incredible wife, and an incredible mom.

Honestly, there’s not much Jenn can’t do. I think taking a compliment might be her only skill deficiency.

Ha!

Happy Birthday, you!

And many, many more.

(At the cabin.)

(With us.)