Harmon Lake Rec Day | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 6/17/2012

Sunday`s overcast skies didn`t put a damper on festivities at Harmon Lake near Mandan. Dozens of people turned out for the second annual Harmon Lake Rec Day for an afternoon of all things outdoors.

Darryl Anderson enjoys hanging out with his grandchildren, all 11 of them. And he`ll tell you being a grandfather is a lot easier than being a dad.

"Well a father is more of a full-time job where a grandfather I think you can say, `Okay kids, I think it`s probably time to go home,`" he said with a chuckle.

Anderson knows how much his grandchildren enjoy being out out on the water. That`s why he decided to spend Father`s Day with them out on Harmon Lake while their dad is in China on a business trip.

"He always takes us on the river and stuff and he always wants to hang out with us," said 14-year-old Kyra Wetzel, Anderson`s granddaughter.

Anderson`s grandson, Lucas, got a lesson on kayaking from a Scheels employee. The company says this is one way it can give back to the community.

"We also are out here for the Harmon Lake days trying to raise some money for the lake so they can develop it how they want to out here," said Camping Specialty Manager Jordan Stoddart.

Being a grandpa is a bit of a do-over for Anderson. He doesn`t have many regrets but says there`s one he`s trying to make up for.

"I wish that I could have had more time to spend with my own kids. You know you`re chasing the almighty buck trying to pay some bills," Anderson said. "You oftentimes shortchange the time that you spend with your own kids."

But this Father`s Day was one he made sure to include plenty of family time.

Scheels is selling the kayaks used at the event for 15 percent off.

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