The beautiful lake full of white caps and cruisers is where I spent most of my weekends and summer throughout my life. I could tell you all the places that I have been on this lake from restaurants to party coves to local fishing spots. But I think that it would be much easier to find out where I haven’t been on this enormous fifty-four thousand-acre body of water. This lake is home to many memories that I have cherished and will continue throughout my life. Lake of the Ozarks is where I caught my biggest tournament bass, drove our bass boat to the full potential, and where we go to watch one of the biggest boat races on this side of the Mississippi. I could tell you about many other memories I have made on this lake but there is one that just really stood out for me. That was the first time my dad let me drive his boat and go fast.

It was a calm quiet day on the lake of the Ozarks during December 2018. My father and I went down to Lake of the Ozarks for a fishing tournament. We got down there early Friday morning as the sun was just coming over the hills around the lake. It was a very cold day, and I was bundled up like an Eskimo trying to keep warm. You may think that this doesn't sound fun sitting and standing in a boat for over six hours in thirty-two-degree weather. I wouldn't trade anything for having these days out on the water with him no matter the condition.

When we arrived at the boat ramp I did my usual routine which was to undo all of the straps and tie-downs on the trailer, then turn on all of the GPS units on the boat. After this, I hopped up into the boat like I normally do and my dad backs the boat into the water. He pulls the truck and trailer up to a spot as I turn on the Mercury Pro XS outboard on the back of the boat. It is such a beautiful sound to hear that strong and mean sounding engine fire right up. I put the boat in gear and steer safely to the dock to pick up my dad. I parked it perfectly on the dock. He was very impressed with how well my driving skills have come along over the years. But I know if I scratched or dented this gem my father would most likely kill me.

As my father pushes us off of the dock I start to get out of the driver's seat to grab the lifejackets. But he says no it's okay he's got them. That was also weird to me because that was another one of my jobs in the boat, but I don't complain. Next, he sits down in the passenger seat and tells me to idle us out to the buoys. I do this all the time with no problem, I even take the boat out on my own at our lake back at home. But what came next was very shocking to me. He told me that today I was going to learn how to drive the Phoenix to its full potential. I was in shock. So thrilled and full of excitement I told him ¨yes sir, I am ready¨.

 I hit the gas pedal and he walks me through everything. He tells me it is all about the trim level. I push the gas pedal all the way down and we only hit about 44 miles per hour. He tells me to go ahead and start to trim up. I watch as the Garmin GPS in the dash goes up fast. 50, 55, 60… I am so excited to be doing this and him teaching me what he has learned over the years. He then tells me how to drive and jerk the wheel to keep the boat from ¨chine walking¨ which is where the boat wants to jerk hard one way or the other. I figured that out pretty quick since I always watch my dad do it. Then he tells me to trim up the rest of the way. 65, 70, 74.9… That was the fastest I had ever driven a bass boat. I am so thankful for my dad teaching me how to do so many things as I have grown up. I plan on fishing with him until he grows old and I wouldn't trade any of these memories I have made with my father for the world itself.