Whenever I think of the great times I had when I was a kid, I think of the times my three siblings and I spent at our family camp in North Concord, Vt. Now, as I leave U.S. Route 2 and coast down the long, winding driveway, small rocks and pebbles pop and ricochet off to the side. The white exterior of the cabin eases into view through the trees, and I feel a tremendous calm.
It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, I would wriggle with excitement and anticipation. For me, the sounds of our playful screams and laughter still echo from those Green Mountains. Dad, always working even when he was at rest, would slowly wander into the woods as Mom unpacked goodies from the red cooler: orange soda, ginger ale, hamburgers, hot dogs and chocolate pinwheels.
Later, with sneakers unlaced and socks rolled down, my sisters Tina and Pattie, my brother Wayne, and I would sit on the dock. The gentle breeze from the southeast would slowly begin to blow across the pond. Small ripples on the water would spread until the trees gently arched to and fro and whispered in my ears.
It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, I would wriggle with excitement and anticipation. For me, the sounds of our playful screams and laughter still echo from those Green Mountains. Dad, always working even when he was at rest, would slowly wander into the woods as Mom unpacked goodies from the red cooler: orange soda, ginger ale, hamburgers, hot dogs and chocolate pinwheels.
Later, with sneakers unlaced and socks rolled down, my sisters Tina and Pattie, my brother Wayne, and I would sit on the dock. The gentle breeze from the southeast would slowly begin to blow across the pond. Small ripples on the water would spread until the trees gently arched to and fro and whispered in my ears.
When all of us were going swimming, the dock was crowded. Inch by inch, the icy coolness of the water climbed every limb. Once the water ebbed in and out of our belly buttons, we would each take a deep breath and rush headlong into the water with our legs trailing behind us.
One by one, we would approach the slimy rock which marked the start of the deepest part of the pond. Gingerly, toe by toe and foot by foot, we would gain our balance on the rock. With the beat of our hearts in our ears, we would gracefully raise our arms heavenward, jump up into the air and dive down deeply again.
Sometimes, Wayne would hoist me up onto his back. Cautiously, I placed the pads of my feet onto his muscular shoulders. With our fingers interlaced, I hunched upright until I stood. From this height, I glanced around and the world looked different. Without notice, Wayne would fall beneath the waves, and I jumped out into the air, laughing hysterically and trying to catch my breath.
As the sun fell down behind the mountain, all four us would reluctantly trudge back to camp with half-worn beach towels wrapped around our waists. Our pink cheeks blushed with the warm memories as we crossed the walkway, one by one, and started up the hill toward the cabin.
One by one, we would approach the slimy rock which marked the start of the deepest part of the pond. Gingerly, toe by toe and foot by foot, we would gain our balance on the rock. With the beat of our hearts in our ears, we would gracefully raise our arms heavenward, jump up into the air and dive down deeply again.
Sometimes, Wayne would hoist me up onto his back. Cautiously, I placed the pads of my feet onto his muscular shoulders. With our fingers interlaced, I hunched upright until I stood. From this height, I glanced around and the world looked different. Without notice, Wayne would fall beneath the waves, and I jumped out into the air, laughing hysterically and trying to catch my breath.
As the sun fell down behind the mountain, all four us would reluctantly trudge back to camp with half-worn beach towels wrapped around our waists. Our pink cheeks blushed with the warm memories as we crossed the walkway, one by one, and started up the hill toward the cabin.
Bear Pattern Wall Mounted Hooks
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Wilderness Wonders Rustic Cabin Wind ...
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