Bold Contemplations

My family and I drove up to Lake Lawn Lodge, on Lake Delevan in Wisconsin, for Thanksgiving dinner. When I was younger, my parents would often taken my brother and I there for a mini-vacation around Easter time. We also often made the trip for Thanksgiving dinner, as they always had a great buffet and the atmosphere was warm and cozy -- the perfect place to begin the holiday season! We haven't gone up there for a number of years, and I was excited that everyone agreed to go this year when I suggested it.

Unfortunately, it was a partially disappointing experience. Spending time with my family was great, but the Lake Lawn Lodge of my memories was gone. Little did we know, the lodge was renamed to Lake Lawn Resorts and is currently being redeveloped as a condo complex along the lake. They were beginning the construction process and were preparing to raze a number of the buildings. The lodge had lost most of its atmosphere, as many of the shops and rooms had been converted to offices. Holiday decorations were minimal. The dinner spread was still tasty, however, the number of patrons were minimal and the lodge was not bustling with energy. I had gone there in anticipation of reliving old memories, as well as making new ones. Instead, a chapter of my life closed and I will have to find satisfaction in looking forward to making new memories. What are some of your favorite family traditions (not necessarily holiday related), past or present?