Lake Style Winter Fun

Being a city kid, it was always fun to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Lake in the country.  Hanging out at their house was interesting because there was stuff do to that you couldn't do in the city. A couple of things I can remember doing in winter included skating outdoors and snowmobiling.  I was introduced to these winter activities at a very young age.

I recall going skating outdoors with some of my aunts, uncles and cousins at Ware's Pit. I was almost four years old at the time. I remember it was really cold and I fell down a lot!  I was envious of my cousin, Joyce, who being two years older than me, seemed to skate effortlessly and never fell down.  I complained about falling down, how hard it was to skate and how cold it was.  My dad yelled at me to stop complaining, which didn't help any.  I thought it wasn't fair that it was just so hard.  I couldn't wait to get back indoors where it was nice and warm, and Grandma had hot chocolate waiting for us.

 The other winter activity I can remember is going snowmobiling with my Grandpa. I remember one time when I sat behind Grandpa, and my brother sat behind me.  Grandpa said "Hold on tight, you don't wanna fall off." Soon we were zipping across the snow.  I thought it was exciting and just a little bit scary to go racing across the fields, the scenery going by in a blur.  I don't suppose my brother remembers it quite the same way though, as he fell off the back of the snowmobile.  Although he wasn't hurt, he was upset.  Grandpa yelled at him for not holding on, which didn't help any.  And, that was it, our ride was over.

Here is a photo of me, Grandpa and my brother.  This was probably the first time we went snowmobiling. I was five years old and my brother was three.  As you can see, I sat on the back this time.  And, I didn't fall off!

This was written for the 8th Edition of the Canadian Genealogy Carnival.
Copyright 2010 by Kathryn Lake.