Thursday, August 4, 2011

Thankful Thursday


 I am thankful that in 9 days, I will roll my windows down in the car as we cross The Falls and breathe in Bass Lake.  What does Bass Lake smell like you might ask?  Well, it is something like this.  Clean mountain air, mixed with the scent of pine trees, and fertile soil.  Lake water, which must be the scent of native plants that hug the lake's shore line.  The smell of  boats, gasoline, suntan lotions, and often times the far off smell of an approaching thunder storm on the horizon.  That smell, a smell I will never forget, and forever long for, will whoosh past my face, fill my senses, and all at the same time, fill my heart and spirit with what I will forever consider my happiest place on earth, next to home.  It is my favorite place to go.  My favorite place to be.  And I will be there with all of my favorite people.  My family.  In an instant, when that aroma sweeps through me, I remember 40 years of my summer vacations spent there with my family.  The ones who made this place so special for me.  I remember it all, like one of those little flip books we had as kids, where each has a slightly different page to it, and when you take your thumb to the pages of the book and flick it quickly so that the pages race along, revealing a motion picture of sorts, this is what I see.  Every ski ride, every cabin we ever stayed in, or tent, or trailer.  Every frog race, and dance, and dive contest off the end of the dock.  Every sailboat race, every outdoor shower in the rugged Lee's cabins.  Every breakfast on the dock, and sipping that first cup of hot coffee with my Dad as we read the local paper, and munched on hot apple fritters.  Every nap in the swing, and every race to be the first boat ride of the day.  Every dish we washed on our knees in the rustic Bar Cabin, and every meal that our parents prepared for their hungry crew.  Every bear hunt, and campfire, and rendition of Hey Loddie, Loddie, Loddie. Every trout our Dad's brought back to camp, and every sunburn our Mom's dabbed aloe vera on for us at night.  Every scary story told after dark, and every star studded sky.  Every raccoon that visited, and even a couple of bears.  Every skinny dip, every water ballet, every midnight cruise we heard our parents take.  Every slide down The Falls.  Every rain storm, and visit to the mountain theater where we sat on logs to watch a movie.  Every roasted marshmallow, and berry cobbler.  Every person that ever came with us to help make these memories.  Through each of these fleeting memories, the most precious of all, are those spent with my Mom and Dad and brothers, as we made memories to last a lifetime.  The memories that fill my heart with joy.

17 comments:

Debbiedoos said...

Kris that sounds like a fabulous place! I love the memories you shared, very special!

Stacey said...

Sounds amazing! What a nice family vacation :) I loved your explanation of the memories.. Made me smile :) Have fun!!!

Tammy said...

Sounds like a great place to take your family and make lots of memories! I cannot wait to see your pictures!

Holly said...

I can't wait! What time should I meet you there!!??? Have a great time and just relax and grab some new memories to share with us.

Naomi said...

: )

Heather - The Good Life said...

Sounds like a wonderful place full of great memories. I hope your wait smooths by and you'll be relaxing and enjoying yourself in no time. :-)

Debbie said...

Oh Kris this was a wonderful post! I can smell it all right along with you. And what wonderful memories you have. I love it! Hope you make sooo many more! Have a wonderful week-end!

Genn said...

Loved reading this.
It made me smile, and even made me teary eyed.
I can't wait too!!!!!

Bethany said...

Um....can I come? :)

deb said...

what a wonderful post....I loved it. Just the other day when I used coppertone I got so many memories...lol....I cant even imagine the fun you had and will have.....traditions are awesome! Have a great time and you will be missed!!!

Unknown said...

Couldn't get any better than that!! Great memories...have a wonderful time.

bekahjane said...

have fun :)

Unknown said...

I want to go... can't I squeeze in the back between all the luggage. As long as you have the windows down, I can breathe in the air too. I promise not a peep...

Weekend Wishes,
Kate

Reality Jayne said...

sounds fun..have fun...take pics

Anonymous said...

wow, I have such a vivid picture in my mind. Sounds like heaven to me. Have fun, take lots of pics to share.

Sunny Simple Life said...

Kris you make this sound so heavenly. What great family memories and now you make them with the grandkids. You make me want to go to Bass Lake. We will have to check it out.

Diane said...

It's kotch & toda time!!!!!!!!