Monday, July 15, 2013

Bass Lake

I am back from Bass Lake.  We had the BEST time!  Mom and I drove straight through on Wednesday afternoon, arriving about 9:30 PM at the lake.  My Mom's friend Dan was waiting for us.  He showed us to our room, which was the cutest hideaway, with private bathroom, overlooking the lake.  The other side of the room, was an exact replica of the photo below.   So we each had our own big bed. There was a sleeping loft above as well.
We went to sit out on the dock for a little while.  It was very hot and muggy still.  We even got a few raindrops falling on us.
The next morning, I was up by 6:00.  I had to go say hello to my lake!!  I jumped out of bed and looked out the window to see the water.  Then whispered over across the room to my Mom...."hey...I smell coffee.....Dan is up!"  So we waddled on downstairs to begin our first day on the lake.
The water level was down quite a bit.  Normally, the water would come all the way up to the rock wall.   The cabin we stayed in was only two down from the cabin I grew up going to every summer for my youth, as well as into my adult years.  Sitting out on the dock, looking over at the covered dock where I would sip coffee with my Dad early in the morning.  Remembering the activity that took place over at Lee's.  So many wonderful memories.  They flooded my mind as I sat out on the dock looking over there.
 See the flag pole?  That is where it all happened.  Where 25 kids raced up and down the dock, from sunup to sundown.  Laughing, playing, having the time of our lives.  We skied all day long.  And I do mean ALL day long.  From 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, we skied.  Around and around the lake we would go.  My brothers and I, trying to outdo each other.  David was graceful on his ski.  Like a choreographed dance, he would swing from one side of the boat to the other, laying his entire body down to make the turn back in behind the wake....leaving a perfect arc of water spray every time.  Like a ballet, in and out.....never falling.  Mark, he was like a gymnast, popping up behind the boat, and immediately jumping high into the air every time he hit that wake.  Jumping, turning, lifting that ski way out of the water, seeing how much air he could get each time.  Zooming across the wake at high speed, clearing the entire wake on his jump.  He was an acrobat on a wooden ski.  Always an exciting thing to see.  I remember one time, my Dad's hat blew off of his head, and without skipping a beat, Mark, who was skiing behind the boat,  let go of the handle with one hand, bending down to scoop that hat up in midair, and plopping it onto his head for the remaining ride.  We roared in the boat at his quickness.  Then I would get into the lake.  Dad would say, "Jump in the water daughter" and I would put my ski on, he would take out the slack, and I would shout, "Let it happen, Captain!" and off we would go.  I was somewhere in between David the graceful skier, and Mark the acrobat, and loved to swing from side to side, spraying and jumping the wake.  Oh what a feeling. How we loved those carefree days on the lake, with our family.  My little brother Tim learned to ski later than us, so most of my memories are of me and my two older brothers.  Timmy was probably fishing from the dock, out of the little trap door!!
I sat out on the end of the dock, with my toes in the water, remembering those wonderful days.  There is something about this place.  The beauty.  The rustic cabins that dot the lake.  The people, the weather.  It is just heavenly.
Dan made us a good breakfast on that first morning, of scrambled eggs, bacon, cornbread and coffee.
We spent all of our time outside, either on the dock, or on the deck, overlooking the lake.
You can see my yarn bag there on the table.  I got a lot of flowers done, sitting in the shade, looking at my lake.
On the left is Gerry, and next to him is Marjie.  Marjie is Dan's older sister, and much more like a Mom to him.  He is very close to her.  Marjie and Gerry were neighbors, and both were widows.  One day Marjie asked Gerry to go feed the ducks with her, and a romance blossomed.  They were married a couple of years ago, and  have been smiling and loving life every day since then.  Gerry is a very spry 92, and Marjie is a remarkable 88!!!!  They are really something!!!!  I so loved meeting them, and getting to know them.  Such a wonderful example of living life to the fullest.  Sharp as a tack, always up for an adventure, never a word of complaint, and smiling....laughing, always!!!    They are exactly what everyone hopes to be!!!  I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this lovely couple!!!!
Dan (on right of my Mom) was the perfect host.  It was the most relaxing time!
Of course we had to make a couple of visits to The Forks for burgers!!
This place is virtually the same as it was 40 plus years ago, when I first came to the lake.
We didn't really do too much.  A lot of relaxing and eating.  I went from one shady spot to the next with my bag of crochet, and more often than not, wound up nodding off for a little nap.
Mom and I took the noodles out to the lake for a nice little swim one day.  The water level being low right now, we walked right down the steps from the front of the cabin to the water.
The Canadian Geese were out there on the lawn a lot.  Honk-honk!!
The sunsets were beautiful!  We always ate out on the deck, and everyone brought a dish to share, and we did potluck.  But I have to show you what the view from the kitchen was too.
Oh yes, I do believe I would enjoy cooking and looking out at this view!!!!  The kitchen was really cute, and cabiny, and a little funky too. 
Lots of rock, and knotty pine.  With a charming wood burning stove in the corner.
How I would love to be here in the winter time!!!!  Sitting there at the table and looking at the lake, with that stove warming the room.  Heaven.!!!
 Someone made homemade ice cream, which we enjoyed after dinner each night.
I loved watching the sun go down.  From the late afternoon, when the sun made the water twinkle like diamonds.
To watching the last boats inch in across the lake to the docks.
And then the moon appears over the water.
I tried and tried to get a shot of the moon casting the gorgeous light over the lake, on our last night there.  I was never able to get the right photo, but trust me, it was breathtaking!!!!
We all sat outside that last night, watching the moon cast that awesome glow over the water.  We watched until the moon slipped off over the mountain, and the light  was no longer on the water.
Goodnight moon.  Goodnight lake.  What a fabulous time I had with my Mom!  We got to talk more than we have in a long time.  Sharing this place with her, was wonderful!  It is OUR place.  Thank you Dan for the invitation to come for a few days.  It was wonderful!!! Every minute!!!  Wonderful!!!!!!
Tomorrow I will show you some pictures from Dan's  ranch home in the canyon.  Until then, go make it a 

GREAT DAY!  Like my friends Gerry and Marjie do!
  XO  Kris

29 comments:

Jeanna said...

Oh Kris, thank you for sharing your memories and posting about your mini-vacation with your Mom.

Your photos are wonderful!

priscilla said...

Beautiful Kris ! Sounds like you enjoyed your time at the lake with your Mom!

Debbie said...

Oh Kris can't tell you how wonderful this sounds. I could have set there on that dock with you and soaked it all in with such pleasure. And that view from the kitchen was just spectacular! Your new friends seem so perfect too. Love to see that. Soo glad you got to enjoy that time away with your mom. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Becky said...

Kris what a beautiful post of the memories of your dad.
I remember the saying that God gives us memories so we have roses in December.
I'm glad you got some special time with your mom and hang out in the quietness of your lake. Very special.
The last photo of the moon shining on the lake is breathtaking.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings..... Becky

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

Kris,

What a wonderful trip. I too loved Summer's at the lake with my mom, brothers, and grandparents. There's just something special about the lake.

Hugs,

Valerie
Cottage Making Mommy
www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com

Gloria Baker said...

I love this place look wonderful!!xo

Deb~in~Denver said...

Sounds like the perfect vacation! Nothing more relaxing than being near the water. Your pictures are beautiful! So glad you had the opportunity to get away with your mom and have so many wonderful memories of your dad and your childhood to keep you company!

Sinta Renee said...

Oh darn! You were in my neighborhood... and I didn't get to see you! Shame on you! But it does look like you were busy and having plenty of fun! I'm glad to know you were here!

Val said...

Such a magical place to create beautiful memories.

Susanne Tyree said...

What a darling cabin!!!!!! I love the kitchen too, the Coca Cola fridge is perfect, the stone makes it look so rustic and what more can I say, the view is something I would never get tired of, in fact you would have to pry my out of there with a crow bar if I lived there, lol. I can see why you love it so much, all the memories...I bet in your mind's eye you can still see your family out there, and your father who I know you love and miss terribly. Such wonderful memories, treasured always. God Bless You friend. So glad you had a lovely trip.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Mereknits said...

Oh such beautiful memories have been made. My brother used to be a hot shot skier, he could water ski barefoot, and when he was skiing on one ski the rooster tail he made was enormous. I could never do it, I am not coordinated enough. I glad you relaxed, you deserved it.
Meredith

Poppy said...

Hi Kris,

Loved reading all about your sweet friends, the lake house and all your wonderful summer activities! You can see what a fun time you had, and we felt the same, in turn!:))

xo
Poppy

Lauri said...

that view is breath taking! What a perfect get away.

Patty said...

What a beautiful lake to visit and spend time with your Mom and such special people. The memories you have of being there as a child are just too wonderful! Love the kitchen!

45th Parallel Quilter said...

Sounds like a WONDERFUL weekend in an absolutely magical place. I am so VERY happy for you ;-) Linda

Kelli said...

What a cute cabin! Your time there sounds so relaxing. How special to be able to spend some time with your mom at a place that has such great memories for the two of you.

Barbara F. said...

Looks like a wonderful time there, and God bless that sweet couple, they do not look their age at all. They are both an inspiration. xo

Pammy Sue said...

So wonderful! Glad everything came together and you got that precious time with your mom.

I'm doing just great. Couldn't be doing any better. Doc says way ahead of most folks who have this surgery. That made me feel good. I'm walking every morning as long as I can. I'm sure that helps! Thank you for your sweet card! XOXO

Linda said...

Kris...I am crying here!!!
What a wonderful time with your Mom and new friends...
I especially liked your description of your skiing days...
I also was lucky enough to have a cottage growing up, and we had the same kind of life as you...every weekend was a new adventure...we are truly blessed!!

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Astri said...

That looks like so much fun! What a cute couple. :-)

Betsy said...

Oh my goodness! I could feel the contentment and happiness oozing out of this entire post. I'm so glad you were able to make new memories with your Mom and re-live old ones too. What a special childhood you must have had. I hope I have the energy your new friends seem to have at 88 & 92. How blessed they are to have found each other.
As you know, I also love "my" lake. I love the sun shimmering on the blue water in the early morning and late afternoon when the angle of the sun is just right. And the moon glow is breathtaking.
Thank you for taking us along with you. I sure wish we lived closer together. I think we'd be soul-sisters!! Blessings,
Betsy

Holly said...

I'm so glad you got to spend some quality time with your Mom. Sounds like it was just what the doctor ordered.

corners of my life said...

So many wonderful memories indeed!

Unknown said...

From Big Bear to this! Oh my you have had yourselves one heck of a summer!

I love this kitchen! The view, the rock, the FRIDGE!!! Oh my goodness!

Cheers to you hon! Blessings to you on the rest of your summer :)

Hanne said...

Thank you so much for sharing. Im glad you had such a wonderful time. I really enjoyed your photos here and on instagram

Between Me and You said...

What a fabulous place, fabulous Mom,fabulous newly-weds and fabulous friend to let you have such a fantastic time on the lake. I loved your childhood memories, lovingly told with such warmth. The newly-weds give me hope for my own future - never say never!Thanks for sharing, Kris. x
ps Love the Coca-Cola fridge!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Wow now that is a cabin. Is it theirs? I would love to rent something like that. Love the coke fridge. How wonderful you had that time with your momma. What a blessing to have her and her be so vital still. That is awesome. Miss you and hope to see you soon.

Hanne said...

It sure looks like a really nice place to be :)

Gracie Saylor said...

A story well told, Kris. Thanks for sharing the good memories...I had a good time with you!!!
Gracie xx