To the place I love

Keuka Lake

Good memories. Great people. One amazing place. Keuka lake that is. 

Simply put, this place helped me grow up, learn, and get through several moments in my life.

My happy place

You know when someone says to you “find your happy place”, well I found that when my parents bought the property eons ago. (Ok not that long ago but you get what I am saying). Looking at old photos from there I see the pure joy in my eyes. My smile is pouring of happiness, love, and comfort. 25 years later I still have happiness, love, and comfort pouring out of my smile each time I walk into the lake house.

People would often say to me “you are so lucky” and I would get uncomfortable. I would smile and say something along the lines of “ah yeah thank you it is pretty great”. Although, when I sit back and really think about it, those people are right. I am lucky. To have this place I love. To make new friends. To learn new things. To know how to drive a boat. I am lucky and I am not going to sit here and deny that. With that, I want to say thank you to the place that has allowed me to be me, and has blessed me with friendships, opportunities, and memories. To do that, I wrote a piece about the place that means so much to me & others…

To Keuka,

On a hot July day I push open the doors and scramble to find what I’m going to need for the day. Bathing suit, sunglasses, sunscreen. Check. Drinks? Check. Double checked that one. Wallet? Eh let some other idiot bring it this time to loose within an hour. As I gather my things the sounds of happiness and chaos echo through the house. Outside the window I see the waves are crashing. The boat engines are roaring. The people are gathered. The sun is shining and the day has started. As I rush through the kitchen, I grab the rest of my things and head to the boat. I turn around and say to the people around me “see you later!” And send a text “on my way!” And off I go…

With a cooler in my hand, there were memories to be made, friends to be seen, and fun to be had. As I approach the bluff I see that the day has begun. From there, the phone service goes scarce and the memories begin. And off I go…

Every weekend seemed to go something like that. Rushing to get to the lake, to see your friends, and to do what you have been thinking about all week. Even though we most likely did the same thing last weekend it didn’t matter. This place was a place to be you, filled with life, excitement, and endless memories.

To the place that welcomes so many, creates the fondest memories, and hosts the biggest celebrations of life, thank you.

To the place that allows us to be us, and to make mistakes, thank you.

To the place that forgives us, thank you.

To the place that lifts us up in times of sadness, frustration, heartbreak, and so much more, thank you.

To the place that helps us feel more like ourselves, thank you.

To the place that brings us together from all over, thank you.

Good memories. Great people. One amazing place. Keuka lake that is.

Keuka Lake

One last surf

one last song

one last drink

one last

--------thankfully those one lasts are just placeholders for the next ones

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Here's to Keuka.

The people and the memories made . thank you for allowing us to be with you. I think I speak for all of the people around the lake. We love you.