Close your eyes for a moment. Think about slowly waking up. At first you think it’s any other day - time to get up and face the day. Then you realize…you’re at the lake. A smile takes over your face. You still haven’t opened your eyes – but you can ‘feel’ the lake. Then, in the distance you hear that sound of the morning’s first boaters. That glorious sound of boat engines running and bows gliding thru water fills your senses. You can hear the lake. You can smell the lake. Yes, you can actually "feel" the lake.

So what is that feel? Some people live at the lake year round. That feeling becomes ingrained in them. It becomes part of them. They are the lake. Others only visit on vacation or on weekends. They live their week just to get to the lake. They are also the lake. And they all have that same feeling.

As a teenager I came to the lake quite a bit with my friends. One of my best friend’s Mom lived at the lake and we would invade her house for long weekends. I still remember that feeling of winding thru the curvy, woodsy lake roads on the way. Once in a while you get a glimpse of the water thru the trees as you approach. Getting to where you are staying at the lake is fun. You’ve arrived. Yet, you truly haven’t arrived until you walk out the lake side of the house. Opening that door, walking out onto the deck or patio... It’s like raising the curtain on a highly anticipated Broadway play. NOW, you are at the lake. The neighbor to your left is on his deck with a cold beverage. They neighbor to your right is at the grill while his kids are on wave runners in the cove. A scarab roars thru the main channel. You take a deep breath – and you can feel the lake.

I’ve had adventurous stays at the Lodge of the Four Seasons. I’ve eaten fantastic meals at the Blue Heron. I’ve play miniature golf and ridden go carts. I’ve spent raucous afternoons in Party Cove. I’ve sat on broken down pontoons. I’ve thrown myself out of a 15 HP john boat. I’ve had skin the color of tomatoes on many occasions. I’ve sat with friends on countless lakeside restaurant decks discussing the finer things in life. I’ve watched 4th of July fireworks from a boat. There are countless other memories... all of which could only happen at the lake. There will be countless more memories… all of which could only happen at the lake.

The lake is a place, but it’s not just a place. The lake is an experience, but it’s not just an experience. The lake is a feeling. It’s a feeling you can’t describe unless you’ve had it. It’s a feeling that, once you have had it, you don’t ever want to let go.

87
2
0
1
4

(0 Ratings)