Vandenbergs at Gun Lake 1961-62

According to family history there were a number of summers in the early 1960s when some of the west Michigan VandenBergs would gather at Len & Joyce's cottage on Gun Lake, wedged between Allegan and Barry Counties.

standing far left is Martin Vandenberg

Joyce VandenBerg on the trampoline

Susan VandenBerg on the trampoline (Joyce sitting left)

Dick VandenBerg?

Susan VandenBerg sitting left, her sister Mary sitting in the back

is this Marinus VandenBerg? 

(Part of an ongoing project of scanning old slides of VandenBerg and Van Halsema family photos and sharing them online -- more to come!)

Day trip to Gun Lake in Allegan County

This past Sunday Bernice, daughters Susan and Joyce and I drove down to the Herrema cottage on Gun Lake to spend an afternoon of relaxation, conversation and grilling food. As a bonus we got a tour of the lake compliments of "Captain" Dave and his nifty party boat.

You would be hard pressed to meet a more generous, hospitable couple than Dave and his wife Marguerite. Aside from their generosity in opening their cottage to the Bergman clan, all close friends for many years, their kindness and hospitality in welcoming strangers was simply inspiring.

We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of good food and warm conversation. After a boat ride enjoying the sun and blue sky we packed up our stuff, said adieu and hit the road pointing the Subaru back north to Grand Rapids.

the group relaxing in front of the cottage

Dave Herrema, griller par excellence!

sandpit waiting for children

looking up the channel toward the lake

patient passengers waiting for their tour guide

Captain Dave making sure his passengers are properly seated, with tray tables in the upright position

heading to the low bridge -- and I mean LOW

heading out into the lake

a fishing pier -- blue gill mainly, so I'm told

one of the numerous channels; looking to the main part of the lake

para-surfer -- this guy knew what he was doing

a few leaps out of the water no less

Dave and Carl

Marguerite; Melissa chatting with her grandmother

one of the several islands in the lake

Susie

Rachel and Steve