The Lakefront Essay

Tennessee is by far my most memorable place. This place is far from my little town “the watta,” and getting there is a long ride. One can take a plane or drive all the way there but whichever you choose when you arrive it’s like going to paradise. The feeling of arriving you get is irreplaceable. Viewing the mountains from far is truly a peaceful place. It is filled with so much nature, it reminds us of how beautiful this world truly is with it.

It is such an adrenaline boost. My dad and brothers love this place as much as I do but since Uriah and Zachary are older they didn't go with us this summer. We used to always go when we were younger and it was always the best times, but what made this trip one of my favorite of all time is that I got to go on all the thrilling rides with my best friend. Allie and I loved the ride the Raptor. The Raptor was one of those rides that your feet dangled from. There were certain rides that Allie would not ride with me so my dad would always be my riding partner on the ones that she would always chicken out of riding. Castaway Bay is Cedar Point's water park. I am not one to love water parks but Castaway Bay is the best water park I have ever been too. They have the biggest variety of water rides. Even Though I am not the biggest fan if water rides this is my favorite water park. We spent every morning at the waterpark and every afternoon/ night at the amusement park. For lunch and every sometimes for dinner Allie and I would eat Chinese food from Panda Express everyday. Now just the smell of panda express takes me back to that trip. The last night we were there the park put on a show for all the little kids where they can

The most vivid memory I recall is of the first trip I ever made to my happy place, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nothing could ever compare to those 5 days of pure happiness, without a single worry in the world. I truly believe this one little trip shaped the way I want to live the rest of my life.

We will start of with the zipline which is actually one of the most elaborate ones in the world. They also have one of the few 4D theaters, which will literally put you on the edge of your seat. And of course the have the famous water park, that includes many different sub activities inside the one activity. Activities are the most common reason for someone to go anywhere and that is kinda the way it is for me, except I also would like to go to get away from my sisters.

I will never forget my trip to Six Flags, St. Louis. This all started when I was fourteen years of age. My step dad, who lived in St. Louis, decided to invite me to visit for the summer. I was so excited to go! When the day came he pulled up at my house he asked me if I had all my stuff ready I said, “Yes sir! Let’s go!” Then my step dad’s family and I piled into the two cars and hit the road. The whole ride there I thought about all the things I wanted to do at Hurricane Harbor and Six Flags.

Driving across the golden gate bridge is a sight to see. Well it is a site o see if you can see through the layers of thick fog and if your car sat up high enough you could see out over the bridge. The air was not freezing, but there was a chill in the breeze that gave me goose bumps. Driving down crooked roads, and eating the sourdough bread instead of the soup inside it are special memories. It was a few days in San Francisco last summer that gave me a love for somewhere other than home.

Lake Erie is thriving biologically but not in the way one might think. It’s poisoned with toxic algal blooms that grow in the phosphorus-concentrated waters millions of Canadians and Americas alike depend on for drinking water. Unfortunately, this is also not the first time this has happened to the Great, not-so-great Lake.

I grew up in Cary and Barrington Illinois. During the summers, my family would stay at my Cary house because it was located on the Fox River. This left me when very fun memories of being with my family. Since the house I lived in was located on a river I basically lived in the water. However, the idea of going on the boat always put a smile on my face. While on the boat, we would go tubing and wakeboarding etc. This is what fueled my love of living on a river. During the winter we would live at my barrington house because we had a big yard and we could sled in it. Overall, where I grew up really got me to love being outside.

We always get in a battle about which spot to set up at, we all have our favorite. These sites act as a nostalgic memory bank whenever I see them. I can remember all of the great times we've had at almost all the sites. This time my family let me pick, I already knew what spot i wanted. The spot I loved was the one right by the crystal clear Huzzah River. This spot had its own rocky beach and view of the iron-stained, rocky red bluff. My favorite spot is tucked away in the back of the state park, nestled in a nook of trees and grass. A concrete fire block with a smoky cast-iron grill sat at the center of the site along with a picnic table

Trying to find memories is like looking for treasure. You look at the surface and see something mediocre, but you dig deep and find something cool, pretty, and meaningful. It took a while to think of a fond memory, but once I thought of some, it was hard to choose a favorite. Growing up I have had many great experiences in the form of vacations. Between going to Disney World, owning a vacation home, hanging out with my grandparents in Arizona, traveling to Canada and more. They all make amazing memories that I will forever cherish. The vacation spot we go to the most, though, is Wisconsin Dells. A few times I have been allowed to invite friends to come with. When I am allowed to bring friends, it is always a ginormous amount of fun. We goof off in the hotel room, play in the arcades, and swim in the water parks.

I have always been in love with big cities, but this part of Chicago is such an important place to me because of its overall beauty. All of Chicago is magical, but this part of the city, nature and the architecture. The natural beauty harmonizes perfectly with the buildings. Being there, you get a sense of the warmth that radiates off everything. When being there, I am able to spend time with my family and enjoy being in a place with so much inspiration. Walking down the sidewalk, I felt the rush of the cars by me, the calls of birds flying overhead and I witnessed so many people doing so many different amazing things, and It made me see how a single place can be defined by so many individually amazing features.

I went to Niagara Falls when I was about 12. I stepped out of the car and just hearing the incredible sound of the Falls, I was taken. It was so loud, just a huge roar of all the water going over the edge. It surprised me because I didn’t think it would be that loud. It only got louder and louder as I got to the rail by the edge of the fall. Seeing the view of the falls took my breath away. Between the blue of the flowing river water, the white of the rough water falling over the side, and the mist of the water splattering off the rocks at the bottom of the waterfall, I was taken by its glory. Add on the view of the city too and it was just an amazing experience for me.

Walking through the trail full of mud and leaves always made me think about my life. It was always there when I needed to walk and get things off my mind. Looking around watching the leaves fall off tree after tree flying like butterflies, all different colors. When they stopped, they immediately died and they were not coming back alive again. Piled leaves filled up under trees and children ran and jumped on them like they were pillows. These trees tripled the height of humans with numerous branches holding hundreds of leaves. While walking the river flows and it is such a beautiful view with the sun shining right off of it. The ducks and little birds chirping and floating through the smooth water puts a joy to my face.

The water beats at the bank feel gently, and resides carefully to avoid over soaking it. The air is fresh and overwhelming with cool gushes of wind blowing past, provoking the trees to yawn and some times sleep. It was a lovely Valentine day and perfect for a picnic at Lake Lavon.

As a child, people will always remember certain destinations that stick with them that made a good impression. I have a place that not only made a good impression, it changed me. It made me think off all the things in life people take for granted; places, people, activates. This place brought all though special things in life to one place where I can enjoy them all at the same time. The Oregon coast. Traveling there, as a kid was always special. Waking up early in the morning and driving the long trip there, going through forests, valleys, and cities.