i grew up in michigan, too--i know exactly what you mean about the lake/boat thing. the rich side of my family had a big sexy boat with a bathroom and master bedroom that they'd take out on lake st. clair, and the middle class side of my family had a ski boat in clarkston that we'd all pile into during barbeques. lakes were summer staples. i'm still trying to get the hang of what summer recreation means to californians.

(btw, i found you through daphne's lj--i was at the "home" show last week...)