I think of it often. My heart never forgets its pull. In my dreams, it’s just as it always was when I was young. Its imprint on my memory, it’s image like a photograph, burned into my heart. When my eyes close, I see it. There sits a humble cabin on a quiet bay of a picturesque mountain lake.
Every summer of my childhood was spent in heaven, paradise, our own personal Elysium. Every month, week, and day leading up to the summer was spent in heart-aching-anticipation of this special place.
From my earliest memories, I recall the cabin on Coeur d’Alene Lake and it’s profound magic.
The cabin is many things, but mostly it’s…
800 miles of sticky skin on sticky skin, drooling cousins, hot air whipping in through the windows, and knowing it all will not be in vain.
A dark-haired, pig-tailed girl and a toe-headed boy eagerly sharing they are “going to Idaho” to anyone they meet along the way in Idaho who inquires.
The lazy susan that just maybe will reveal Lucky Charms on its next go-round instead of Raisin Bran.
Soft sunlight peppered through the curtains, the sound of familiar voices, the smell of coffee and toast, the feeling of an unburdened soul.
Bud’s Big Burgers and the time someone tagged, “Bud’s Big Boogers” on the side of the building.
The smell of our family’s past in the musty throw pillows and dusty books.
The taste of milk in vintage Harvest Yellow plastic tumblers and powdered Nesquik sprinkled on Darigold vanilla ice cream.
That particular bend in the road as you’re coming from town where the temperature drops ten degrees and you know you’re truly at the lake.
Grandma’s tomato soup with elbow macaroni and the best dried garden herbs from The Herb Lady.
The crystal clear waters that cleanse the soul and clear the mind.
The summer when Return of the Mack was popular and Mom thought Mark Morrison was singing, “We’re Tearing Up the Moon”.
Check out this video on YouTube:
It totally sounds like that, Mom. (No, it doesn’t.)
The sound of a car door on the landing, followed by Uncle Gary’s unmistakable voice, and the exciting knowledge that he’ll either have ingredients for an exotic dish, a new lake floaty, or, even better, a new crazy story.
Water-logged, pruney, sun-drenched skin and a satisfying tiredness that only comes after a day on the lake.
Grandma’s favorite-Julio Iglesias, or Lee Greenwood’s Mornin’ Ride (that we only recently discovered is not about an early morning horse ride) blaring in the car, as we hug the curves around the lake, toward the cabin.
Check out this video on YouTube:
I envisioned an innocent horse ride through a dewy meadow. My brother always thought of a virtuous truck ride in the early morn. When we discovered the true meaning, my mom was appalled and my Grandma never chose to believe it was about a ride in the hay, and by hay, I mean bed.
The smell and presence of Grandpa in the old board games stacked in the closet, the ancient, but clean linens, and the worn gold-colored armchair.
Pool Noodle Ballet in the deep and how that’s the only kind of ballet Mom and I will ever be good at.
Fireworks, reflecting on the water, damp life jackets, and the sound of gentle waves lapping against the boat.
Finally entering the Idaho farmland from the desolate desert drive and feeling the pull of the cabin and the lake in your bones.
The time Uncle Gary lost his teeth in the lake and offered up $20 to whoever found them. That was me.
The tiny Jewel Box Gem Shop in Harrison and the treasures you could find there.
“The Hootie”*, its unpleasant smell, and the time my brother almost lit it on fire, used the Brita water pitcher to put it out, and then dropped the pitcher down the hole.
Butt to butt in the tiny kitchen, the smell of bleach water, and calling dibs on being the dish dryer.
The annual Great Carlin Bay Swim: 42 people belonging to one family, 672 floaties, and a whole lotta racket, echoing off the water of the bay.
The scary night when we almost became a bear’s midnight snack, my heroic grandma and how she scared the garbage-can-digging-by-the-window-creeping bear (It was a dog).
Night swims that sometimes turn into skinny dipping, and the time the neighbors came home and turned on all of their 8,000 lights. Mom and Aunt Dana are still pruney in places.
The sound of a faraway boat, speeding down the channel. The creaking of Grandma’s hanging Rattan chair, and her melodious humming as she stares, her blue eyes a perfect reflection of the water.
There are so many more things that make the cabin what it is and was to every member of my family. I don’t know why I was suddenly inspired to write a post about my summers spent on Coeur d’Alene Lake. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in many years and I feel the pull of it in my bones and I crave a swim in its cleansing waters. That must be it.
*”The Hootie” is our very fancy outhouse. It comes complete with its own deck, curtained-window, built-in magazine rack, and a very intricate ventilation system that Uncle Gary jerry-rigged together after a particularly hot and smelly summer.
This, although a piece of your history, felt poetic to read. I was skinny dipping and holding my nose in the “hootie.” This was a thoroughly good read with my breakfast reading transported me to the lake with Gary at the helm. Fab x
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it ☺️☺️
You write well. 😇
That means a lot for me to hear! Thank you!!
I have to agree, 100%. I don’t think I could have said it better myself. This piece (it’s much more than just a “post”) was so poetic and heartfelt. I could picture it perfectly in my mind. Beautifully done, girl!
Thank you so much, friend!!
😘😘
I love, love, love this post! Reading it made me feel like I was there… It also reminded me of our family cabin in Charlevoix and the many beautiful summers we spent there. Thank you for the bit of Monday morning nostalgia! x
Thank you, friend! I bet your cabin in Charlevoix is beautiful!!!!!
When I met Emily last month we talked about you. We both agreed on how much we loved your blog and I told her how I have loved everything you’ve ever written. This is no exception. You are such a great writer. This was perfection.
Awwwwwww! OMG. That’s so cool, you guys!! That just legit made my life. Thank you so much!!
Wonderful, reading made me feel like I was there with you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful memory.
I’m glad you enjoyed ☺️☺️
THis was pure ambiance. These are effectively my memories now lol. (It was a dog) so funny!!
Haha! Really, I could write a blog post on that single night! I laid in bed for what felt like HOURS, listening to the evil beast outside the open window, swearing I’d die! When I finally got up the courage to whisper, “Grandma!”, she got up and told it to “git!” I was sure she’d be eaten! But, yeah, it was a dog digging in the trash 😂😂😂
Stop! Do it, the post, the Bear…
Haha!! I will!
The pullings and cravings of our past make the unknown of our futures bearable. That’s why. Beautiful story. Beautiful writing. Thank you for taking us with you.
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it ☺️☺️
I really enjoyed reading this. You conjured up some very vivid scenes from your childhood. It really sounds like you could do with going back 😉
You’ve brought up some of my own memories of camping as a kid. We didn’t have a cabin, we had a converted schoolbus.
But the lake, the outdoorsy-ness of the weekends, the extended family around the fire…yup.
You brought me back. ((((MASSIVE)))) HUGS!
I’m so glad ☺️☺️. A converted school bus sounds AWESOME!!
Re: the misunderstood song… my husband had to explain to his mom what “one toke over the line” meant in her old favorite song. She was aghast lol
LOL!! It’s very damaging to find out how messed up our favorite songs can be!
This is fantastic. I want a place like this for my family. A place you always know will be fantastic because everyone is together! Loved reading this (and that it wasn’t scary, lol)!
Haha! I’m glad it wasn’t a creepy one for ya! Thanks, friend!!
I LOVED this! Thrilled is how I feel right now that Damn Girl has brought you into my life. You were a baller then, and you are one now! You are a very gifted storyteller and are funny as hell!! FUN!
I am thrilled you found me!! Thank you so much!! ☺️☺️
I love memories like this!! So awesome 🙂 Great pictures too!
Thanks!
Beautiful! These memories are so vivid and they parallel the ones I have of our cottage in Michigan. Envious of the *hootie*! Ours was a windowless outhouse. I spent my early years convinced (thanks to my brother) that snakes lived in the hole and were waiting to bite my butt! On the plus side, I learned to “hold it” all night at a very early age! 🙂
LOL! That’s hilarious! I was convinced a mountain lion would be hiding in the hootie or the actual hole. I didn’t realize until much later in life that no self-respecting mountain lion would ever enter or spend time in an outhouse 😂😂😂.
Same here with the snakes! It never occurred to me that they wouldn’t be down there. One of the many curses of having older sibs – especially brothers!
ALL of my cousins were boys and I have a brother! I totally relate!
I love this so much! Your writing style is captivating <3
https://rachelwtf.wordpress.com/
Thank you so, so much!!! I really appreciate that!! ☺️😊
I agree with everyone above. I love your funny posts, but this is a gorgeous style of writing too. Thank you for bringing us all along into your past. 🙂
Thank you, friend. I’m glad you enjoyed the ride ☺️
These stories are a total trio through your history! 😍
😊
What a lovely post. Uncle Gary sounds fabulous and bet it’s stories are legendary. Sounds like a gorgeous place to have spent your childhood.
His stories were better than any movie, video game or television show! I wish all people could have an Uncle Gary in their lives. Thank you!
Such a gorgeous, gorgeous reminise. I love this Cabin already. Lucky charms are something I tasted in Montana for the first time ironically enough and yummy. Loved them!
Thank you, my friend! Montana! We visited Montana on several occasions while up north. Where did you go while there? Lucky Charms are always better than Raisin Bran!!
Soooooo much better than dull old Raisin Bran…😊 we were in Bozeman mainly. Hit Jelly stone too! Fab x
That’s awesome!
Always enjoy your tales, I’m liking Uncle Gary… what a character. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Uncle Gary is truly the best ❤️. Thank you!
Oh the nostalgia is palpable. What a lovely post. I literally felt like I was there with you all. I even want to check out the Hootie!
LOL!! If I made it sound that good, I’m impressed. You’d always be welcome to come check out the Hootie, ya know! 😊😜
YES!
☺️
Aww. Reading this took me back to my own memories as a child at our family cabin. What awesome memories. Like you I remember the smells, the feelings and traditions. We no longer have our cabin and I often wish I could go back their and do it all again forever as an adult with kids if my own. But I will always have those memories. This is such a great way to remember such a wonderful place. Maybe I will blog about my cabin too some day.
I hope you do blog about it! I feel it helps keep the memories alive ❤️.
What a lovely piece made of your childhood memories.
The cabin concept is not known to most Indians. I work at Target and my colleagues in the US spend long weekends in their respective cabins with their family. Heading over to cabin, is what I heard them saying when I asked what does that mean?
Trust me, it was similar family time. Full of love, fun and togetherness.
Where do you work at Target? I worked at Target during college and it’s totally my happy place! When your family takes a trip, where do you usually go?
I am in India. Target has an office in India and I work in HR. We don’t have stores in India but it’s like a global HQ. Yes, Target is my happy place too.
We travel to other locations, stay in resorts/hotels but most people wouldn’t have a cabin by the lake. I think only the ultra rich may own one 🙂
That’s SO AWESOME!! I totally want your job 😜😜
I love this story, I love this cabin and, most of all, I love that you found Uncle Gary’s teeth xo
I was the hero that summer, for sure!! 😂😂
Thanks for sharing your memories. Nothing is more special than having family memories that you can reshare and laugh over. And now I will never be able to un-hear “We’re tearing up the moon.”
YES!! I can’t un-hear it either!! 😂😂
Love it, the childhood memories of holidays and freedom to run about and finding oldies false teeth 🙂 Thanks for the glimpse into an American vacation in a cabin.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
We also have a cabin we enjoy in the summer. I hope my boys have good memories of the cabin like I do. I want them to look back on their childhood and have happy memories.
I bet they do!!