Skaneateles

When I was growing up, the summer was an extra special time. My Aunt Margaret and cousin Anne, who live in northern California, would come visit for 2-4 weeks and would stay at my grandma Joan's house, which was only about 4 blocks from mine. I looked forward to their visit as soon as school let out, and would mourn their departure well into the next school year.

About 13 or so years ago, my Aunt Anne, Uncle Mike, and cousin Maggie, who had always lived in my town,  moved to Ohio and then to Washington state. Soon, our "west coast family" expanded and although we had great places to visit, it was never the same as having them nearby.

The summer visits from the west coast family became "bigger and better" because it meant that all 3 of my mom's sisters and all of my cousins were together, if only for a few weeks at a time. Part of what made our summers so special was our family traditions - things that we would do together every year that seemed exponentially more fun because of who we were with.

One of the things that we would do together every year was take a day trip to Skaneateles, NY, a beautiful lake town outside of Syracuse.  We would usually get lunch, visit the shops (especially a Christmas shop and a candy store that I can smell on command if I close my eyes and imagine it), and sit by the lake. Some of my happiest memories are of this peaceful little town.

So when I made my "pre-baby bucket list," I knew that I wanted to take a summertime trip to Skaneateles for the first time in a long time (since at least before my grandma passed away in 2009). This past weekend (labor day - the unofficial end of summer) I took a day trip to Skaneateles.

Downtown Skaneateles

Beautiful view of the lake!

We even stopped at Bass Pro Shops on the way home, just like we used to do when I was a kid! Sean especially enjoyed the huge fishtank and made sure to point out every. single. species. of fish that he could identify. (His days of working at Mystic Aquarium weren't for nothin'!)

Even though I had a great time and look forward to bringing my daughter there some day, it just wasn't the same to be there without the rest of the family (and especially without my grandma Joan). Thankfully, my baby girl will have my mom as a grandma - and she is as close to grandma Joan as can be! Maybe someday she will create beautiful memories there with her grandma & cousins, just like I did!