Friday, July 16, 2010

Simple Summer Pleasures

When I think back to the summers of my childhood, salt water sandals and home-made orange juice popsicles flash through my mind. The highlights of summer included running through the sprinkler and riding my bike until the streets in my neighborhood grew dark and my mom called me in for a bath. Hopefully, it will be the simple summer pleasures my own children will remember someday. Among these, I imagine they will recall swimming at Honeysuckle Beach.

Along Hayden Lake is a sandy piece of public beach that locals call Honeysuckle Beach. My kids love to swim there every summer. Five years ago, my boys were much smaller, so the roped off shallow end, the lifeguards on duty throughout the summer, and the family atmosphere added greatly to its appeal. Now that my kids are older and have become strong swimmers, I can kick back on the sand and enjoy the beautiful timber shores, or go for a swim myself. However, a tradition has developed. Every year, on the first day we swim at Honeysuckle Beach, someone asks, “How many laps do we have to swim to get a Paul Bunyan milkshake?”


Here is Ryan swimming with some friends at Honeysuckle Beach this morning.


I told these jokers they had to swim six laps for a milkshake.



Then, I told them I’d throw in a hamburger if they swam another lap.


They took me up on it.


4 comments:

  1. Looks like the Paul Bunyan milkshake and hamburger would definitely fill up these hungry swimmers. Where can I get the Paul Bunyan?

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  2. I agree with Mel...except make mine a vegan shake and a veggie burger :-)
    Thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog...and I am "following" you too. Gotta run and catch up on your posts. Later eh?

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  3. Mel, Paul Bunyan is a fast food restaurant not far from Honeysuckle Beach. The address is 8625 North Government Way Hayden Lake, ID 83835. They make the best milkshakes in town. You can get any flavor or combination of flavors imaginable. Ryan likes Marshmallow Fudge. My favorite is probably Peanut Butter Fudge, but I've been known to order Strawberry Banana Oreo. YUM! These milkshakes are so thick you could seriously hurt yourself trying to suck it through a straw. Oh, and every hamburger on the menu (including the bacon double cheeseburgers my son and his friend are eating) are only $1.99!

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  4. That is good summertime fun right there. I too can be bribed with milkshakes and cheeseburgers. =)

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