Bass Lake 2016

You can kiss your family and friends good-bye 

and put miles between you, 

but at the same time

you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach,

because you do not just live in a world 

but a world lives in you.

~Frederick Buechner

It's a place we used to go when I was growing up. It feels like we went every summer, because we made so many memories and those memories had such an impact, but it was more like 3 or 4 times.

It was my mom's side of the family that went and stayed at the lake but my dad's side lived up near there, in Mariposa, and sometimes they'd come visit us at the campsite. Anyway, the last time we went up there was 1988!

My cousin Jeff has been on a mission to get the same kind of boat they'd had when we were kids and as soon as that happened, the planning began!

Bass Lake 

2016

Our first couple (few?) trips, we'd camp. Then in 1988 we all rented a big house. But now with the cousins all having kids ... there were too many to stay in one large place, so most of stayed at the Pines Lodge ...

A few stayed in the main building but most got these little cabins ...

I never got in the pool but I did jump in the lake every chance I got! It felt amazing! And, it was fun to walk around with crazy wild lake hair! That's my sister waving in the floating raft, below, with my dad, nephew, 2 cousins and brother in law.

I jumped in and got on after the picture was taken!

Above, looking toward where we used to camp. The bark beetles have attacked thousands of trees (millions in California) which is really sad. It's going to be strange when they clear them out eventually.

The drought is what has weakened the trees and made them susceptible to those destructive little creatures which make Swiss cheese out of the trees. For now, though, it was still beautiful being on the lake with the wind on my face!

When I was maybe ... 10 or 11, we found Willow Lagoon. We anchored the boat, and swung from this huge tree, taking a running start on the land and letting go over the lake, flailing about and landing with a splash! Such a fun and funny memory. Especially watching the aunties do it!

Willow Lagoon is still a great spot to stop for a swim! And, while I was floating in a tube, a dragonfly kept landing on my toe! It was so beautiful! Maybe it was because he was an iridescent turquoise that he liked my toenail polish?

There was a bit of water skiing but the kids loved being pulled on the raft!

And it doesn't feel like a Harris Family reunion without some singing around the campfire! Music has always been a huge part of our family. My great grandma wrote lullabies that she sang to us when we were little, my grandma still sings and performs and my mom and aunties sound like the Lennon sisters. 

All I have to do is hear the songs they used to sing and I'm transported.  Vaya Con Dios, There's a Long Long Trail Awinding, Somebody Loves Me .... Let the rest of the world go by ...

Here's Let the Rest of the World Go By ... please press play! 

We had a big family dinner one night at the lodge. That's my grandma o the middle left with the blond hair and turquoise blouse giving a toast. She's 94.

While I was sitting on the boat next to my grandma, she quietly said, "It's just overwhelming." 

I asked her what she meant. "I was an only child ... and I look around at all these ... It's overwhelming." And then she said quietly, almost to herself, "I'm so lucky."

In every conceivable manner,

the family is a link to our past

bridge to our future.

~Alex Haley

Me, enjoying the sun, but all covered up! 

Rejoice with your family the beautiful land of life.

~Albert Einstein

The next generation (above) standing by the first letter of their name!

And, all of us below. A few of us missing ... my cousin Colin's family, my brother in law and nieces, and my cousin Scott's daughters who were there earlier in the week. There's a gang of us!

My cousins and me, with my great grandmother, Bass Lake 1980 

Scott, Colin, Penny, Jen, Kate, Gongie (our nickname for my Great-Grandma) Jeff, Me and Polly.

Bass Lake 

1988

I may be a year or so off on the dates but there you have it! It brought back so many memories and it's amazing getting to share those memories with those whom you have so much history, as well as creating new memories with the younger generation that wasn't here yet!

I'm busy getting ready for my art show, thus the lack of posting, but I hope everyone has had a beautiful summer!

Blessings and light

Lucinda

With someone like you, 

a pal good and true I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find Some place that's known to God alone Just a spot to call our own We'll Find perfect peace, where joys never cease Out there beneath a kindly sky We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west And let the rest of the world go by

~ Ernest Ball and J Keirn Brennan