There's another Long Lake in Wisconsin besides this one, one closer to our home. When I was a kid, our family spent a few days vacationing there. This old postcard reminds me so much of those few days on the lake, making memories with my parents, my brothers and sister, the cabin, the boats, the water, and the windmill cookies we bought from the little store at the resort.
I've never liked 'speed boats,' but have always loved spending time on the lake in a nice, quiet rowboat, like Wind in the Willows, I guess. It's been a long time since I've done that. Maybe this summer, if it ever gets here.
When's the last time you vacationed at a lake resort? Do you have special memories of that time?
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"This has been a wonderful day!" said he, as the Rat shoved off and took to the sculls again. "Do you know, I've never been in a boat before in all my life."
"What?" cried the Rat, open-mouthed: "Never been in a—you never—well I—what have you been doing, then?"
"Is it so nice as all that?" asked the Mole shyly, though he was quite prepared to believe it as he leant back in his seat and surveyed the cushions, the oars, the rowlocks, and all the fascinating fittings, and felt the boat sway lightly under him.
"Nice? It's the only thing," said the Water Rat solemnly as he leant forward for his stroke. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolute nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing," he went on dreamily: "messing—about—in—boats..."
- From The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
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24 comments:
Hi Judy,
I have a Wind in the Willows on my side bar. :-)
I love Rat.
Enjoyed your post today.
Have a great day.
I have beautiful memories of our church camp at a lake...learned to swim then. Plus the lady that was my guardian angel would take me to her cottage with her g.children. I feel so blessed to have those sweet memories. I am longing for a pleasant summer at the lake too. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie
We didn't get to enjoy time on a lake when I grew up. I love your post...I always want to take a bite out of those yummy soaps.
Have a lovely week,
Linda
Let me know when you can't walk on water.....then I'll head back to Wis.!!! Loved the b&w photo....so peaceful!!!
it was in another life - at a privately owned lake in northern wisconsin. beautiful and still.
The last time I was at the cottage was too long ago. Sigh. I always preferred to go canoeing, but have enjoyed many a speedboat ride, too. The soap looks good enough to eat!
Oh it does bring back memories! We don't go vacationing too often, but there have been a few times we have along water. Eagle River, Ice Lake, Lake Cheteck. Lake Cheteck was in the rain, we were determined to go rowing! Lol! And then there was one time in Venice Florida.... The brother decided we needed to take a short cut back, so we all climbed out of the boat hauled it across the road to a canal on the other side of the street and rowed home! We also thought we saw an alligator in the water. Very exciting!
What a great old post card. Hmmm…I remember staying at a cottage in Prince Edward Island when I was about 10 or 12. There was a pond in front of the cottages and a row boat. I think my mother took me out in it. It's a vague memory. A photo somewhere. I've been canoeing on a lake with my hubby, then boyfriend, and our friends. A storm blew in and we headed for the beach and waited it out. Pleasant memories on this winter afternoon. Enjoy the day!
Well, we live not far from the English Lakes. A lovely, evocative, post, Judy. There's something other-worldly about that picture too.
I don't do boats... so no is the answer,but i do love beaches on ponds, lakes or oceans and gulfs... i would love to sit on the shore and watch you paddle in the boat
Judy, I grew up going to Rocky Fork Lake, and then when we moved (I was 10) we were at one end of Buckeye Lake. We always had a boat. My dad loved to fish. I, too, love a quiet rowboat ride. I much prefer a rowboat to a canoe. I did have to learn how to handle an outboard motor, though. Growing up near the water was the best way to grow up. Ice skating in the winter and swimming, skiing and boating in the summer. Good memories!
I am looking for summer too Judy. I bought bulbs to plant today. I grew up on Clarks Hill Lake in Georgia. My aunt and uncle had a home their and I caught my first fish when I was two. We never go to the lake now though as we seem too busy. xo, olive
HI Judy Yes it is great to have memories to look back on with fondness. We have a alot of lakes and are surrounded by sea so great memories when I was a child
I like being on a boat but I do not like noisy motorboats. I like to sit and float! I know exactly where Long Lake is...it is a lovely area. xo Diana
I love The Wind in the Willows and lazy days on a lake. Hurry up warm weather. xo Laura
Saying prayers for you.
You are thinking about warmer weather and I don't blame you! I love the ocean but really prefer a lake.
Any kind of water works for me as long as it's not frozen. ;>) Hope your weather warms up soon; ours is supposed to get more chilly.
Wind in the Willows used to be Scott's favorite book as a young boy.
I think part of the reason was our pond becausebit had some of the same animals in it as the book. My friend, let's both get onto a row boat this summer and row the pond. :-)
Judy I am waiting to have my first vacation at a Lake Resort - it is a dream of mine!!! sandie
I love The Wind In The Willows, so much poetry there. And I too am ready for spring. We don't have snow in Brittany, but I'm sick of the violent storm we have. This winter has had so many I lost count!
I too have spend many times at the river side. They are all sweet memories to think of it.
My father use to take use to Lake Winnipesaukee and rent a cabin. That's when it was probably unknown and just tiny little cabins. When he went to work up in Canada he use to rent a cottage in St. George on the Bay of Fundy and we spent the summers there.
We also have camped along lake Huron, but that's more like a sea than a lake.
What a great question! Actually my father took us a lot of places with his trailer too that I'm starting to remember all the places we went with water. Not too much water around here.
Judy, I so agree with you and Rat. No motors, just a nice, quiet rowboat with "cushions, the oars ..." sigh
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