Radio Ramblings: Ah, summer memories: Life at the lake is best

By Medicine Hat News on August 8, 2019.

It’s hard to believe that summer is already half over. Once August hits, everyone seems to switch into back-to-school mode. I’m not ready for summer to be over; I haven’t even taken my summer holidays yet. I’m looking forward to heading home to southeast Saskatchewan next week for some relaxation at my family’s cabin at White Bear Lake.

I pretty much lived at the cabin when I was growing up. I would spend weekends playing cribbage and Scrabble with my grandparents on the picnic table. We would go for long walks, checking out the wild roses and picking Saskatoon berries to make homemade pie.

I may not be a fan of camping, but spending time at the cabin is probably one of my favourite pastimes. There is something so serene about laying on the lounger with a book basking in the sunshine while drinking a vodka slushie (or whatever your drink of choice may be). Despite the abundance of mosquitoes, there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.

I was lucky enough to spend two full summers living at the cabin and working at the nearby Kenosee Superslides. If you’re not familiar with the Superslides, you could probably compare it to what was once Medicine Hat’s Riverside Waterslides. I think the Kenosee Superslides are one of the lone outdoor waterslide parks still thriving on the Prairies. Home to the eight-storey freefall slide, you go from top to bottom in less than three seconds. I never did like that slide, but the bonzaii and tube slides are always a good time.

Being a lifeguard there was the ultimate summer job. You got a great tan, spent your days telling kids what to do, and then enjoyed after-hours sliding without having to deal with the crowds. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to visiting my old stomping grounds.

Another great part about my family’s cabin is that it is just 10 minutes away from the drive-in. Talk about nostalgia. It’s one of only 40 drive-in movie theatres left in the country. When’s the last time you were able to check out a movie at a drive-in? It may not have the big sound or huge comfy chairs, but there’s nothing cooler than watching a movie under the stars.

I’m not sure why, but it seems like ice cream tastes way better inside a massive waffle cone at the lake. It has to be pistachio or cherry cheesecake for me. Or else a huge Saskatoon berry sundae. The ice cream hut just happens to be right next door to a mini golf course, another lake pastime that is on my to-do list!

Whether you’re building sandcastles on the beach, painting rocks, swimming in the lake or indulging in a massive waffle cone, lake life is the best. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is full of memories like mine.

Cassie Donnelly is the morning show co-host at 105.3 ROCK. You can reach her on twitter @cass_1053rock.