memory lane
Finally found myself in one of my most favorite places of all time this week. Lake George, New York has a special place in my heart - not only a picturesque slice of heaven that's home to my favorite childhood memories, but also the place where I memorized all of the words to LL Cool J's "Who Do You Love" over countless nights spent cruising the strip in my friends purple Beretta. Go ahead and Google Image search 'Chevrolet Beretta from the early 90s', and then imagine me at 13, completely flat chested with thick bangs, high top LA Lights, and a Looney Tunes t-shirt, in the backseat busting rhymes. Your're welcome for that. Hey LL, if you're reading this (definitely likely), I'm the one who grabbed your arm at that concert in upstate New York and wouldn't let go... for like, a long time... love you bro.
Along with mastering my rap skills I would fill my childhood summers in LG with bonfires, beach days, boat rides, ice cream cones, truth or dare, sand castle competitions, go-karts, rainy day Atari games (just pong, because that's the only one that still worked), visiting Frankenstein at the haunted house (terrifying), crushing Skee-ball at the arcade, arts&crafts, going to the dude ranch, and stealing peppermint schnapps from our friends parents liquor cabinet.
There is nothing that can compare to the time that I spent with my family and summertime friends up there. The smell of cedar will forever remind me of those little boxes they sold at the Teepee store in town, the ones with the iridescent pictures of eagles or galloping horses on the top. Yes Mom, I needed a new one every summer. The scent fades. Also, my old one is already filled to the brim with tickets from the arcade and friendship bracelets. While you're at it grab me another make your own dream catcher kit, would ya? Vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles will always be my favorite summertime snack. And I'll never not be afraid of sea weed. Who's to say that it's impossible for it to come to life and grab your ankle pulling you down to the bottom of the lake where the giant fish with fangs live and keep you there juuust out of reach of all the other kid's hands dangling in from the big yellow blow up boat that are grasping unsuccessfully trying to save you? It could happen. Sea weed is dangerous.
Heading back to Lake George with my sisters and my little goober niece for a couple days of fun was a welcomed blast from the past, while making new memories to keep near and dear to our hearts. We flew around a theme park, literally, in a cape. We got pizza at Capri, where the vinyl booths still come complete with personal juke boxes (although the guy at the counter did warn us that it would be a waste of time to try using them), and hit the beach with the backdrop of para-sailers and steamboats. A photo-op with our fav Frank, and a trip to the arcade made our day complete. Hope that you fill your Labor Day weekend making memories with your favorite peeps, and soaking in some sunshine. Maybe you can get a little nostalgic along the way. Just remember, there is always room for ice cream.
P.S. follow me on twitter why don't ya ( @sosueme_ ), I'll try to be witty without over doing it.
