It has been about seven years since I've been to my grandma's lake cabin in Minnesota. When my sister pointed out just how long it has been, I was sure she was wrong. After all, how do you not travel to your favorite place at least once a year?
We took the canoe or the paddleboat out every night, and one night, we were given this view...
Minnesota, you're stunning.
But she was right. It had been seven long years since I last got to wander through those woods. When we were growing up, our vacations were composites of battlefields and beaches, but my favorite ones always involved that isolated cabin. It's over a thousand miles away, so it was rarely our first option for vacations. But when we went, it was a blissful week of card games, fishing, exploring, and endless reading.
And now, I would have the privilege to go back with my grandma and my sister.
How lucky can a girl be?
A jalapeño visor never looked so good
We had a smooth trip, and before I knew it, I was packing up my suitcase to return to Pittsburgh. I regrettably had to do homework for the majority of the trip, but it was still relaxing. If the scene wasn't enough to vitalize your soul, the happiness and pure joy of my grandma would have been.
To my sister for all your love and help in making this trip a reality
To my aunt for organizing this whole trip
To my dad for building this cabin and situating us close to Grandma
To my grandma for loving us all so well
Thank you
One last note: in 2012, I wrote a short essay for my english class that then got submitted to a national competition. The essay was centered around the most beautiful place in America -- Tonseth Lake, Minnesota. It won through to the top ten, earning me and my sister a trip to Washington, D.C.
It was one of the easiest essays I have ever written, just describing the beauty of that secluded spot.
Click on the image below to access the book produced by Barnes and Noble
A wonderful trip, over too soon. Here's to next year, Grandma!