Life as a lake kid

If you have spent any of your childhood in Minnesota, you probably have a few summer lake stories. This time of the year has been and always will be my favorite.  I often dream about the dog days of summer and spending my weekends at the lake.

I began my life as a lake kid early.  My parents were both teachers, so we were lucky enough to "live" at the lake.  It wasn't until I was a little older, did I realize most parents still had to work during the months of June, July, and August.  I simply assumed everyone was on summer break. Little did I know how lucky I was.

It seemed, once upon a time, that those hot summer days would simply go on and on.  We would waterski from dawn to dusk, play water war on huge tractor tubes, and drive the 4 wheeler on back roads to the Cormorant Store for ice cream cones.  Even on the hottest days, the breeze from the lake could give a girl goose bumps.   To this day, the sweet smell of boat gas reminds me of my happy place.  Simply put, spending summers at the lake was heaven.

Kevin and Melanie

Tony's Campground

Dave Barefooting

Summer of 1987 - my 1st car

My fondest summer memories were full of self-mixed tanning lotion (iodine and baby oil), the sounds of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, or any other 80's tune blaring over the boom box, and cruising the "strip" in my very 1st car with my BFF's. 


The summer of 1987, I was just 16 years old when Playboy Magazine declared Detroit Lakes one of the top party destinations for Independence Day. On Fourth of July week, the relatively small lakeside town packs in thousands of people for fireworks, music, food and drinks.


 
Our cabin was prime location for people watching.  It backed up to the main road that everyone traveled when coming or going into D.L.  Needless to say, my friends and I learned a lot that summer!

Detroit Lakes Beach

A lot of people may never experience or understand what being a "lake kid" is, but to me there was nothing else like it.  I had no idea how special those summers would become to me. They are a part of me. The lake defines a huge part of my childhood and I am so grateful for the memories.

Now that I have children of my own, I want them to experience the same . I want them to jump off a dock, swim all morning and ski all afternoon til its time to come out of the water, eat, and do it all over again. It's a delicious childhood and I wouldn't want anything less for my children.

Carson & Kate - Summer of 2011

Since the 80's and summer have a special place in my heart, I will leave you with a song that reminds me of those hot summer nights.  Go ahead, backcomb those bangs, spray on some AquaNet and slap on some lipstick - bright pink lipstick...and enjoy!