It's summer and along with the summer comes vacations. Many families that I knew growing up had a special place that they would vacation to year after year. The special place to my family is Norris Lake north of Knoxville, TN. I have gone to this lake almost every summer since elementary school. Why do I love Norris Lake so much? I have been here with my family, extended family, several families from church as part of the summer tradition. I have laughed many times until I have cried with family & friends. I have played many rounds of euchre and other group games. I have enjoyed good food (can you say homemade ice cream every night with the Spicer & Oakes clan!). I have been so stress-free that I have gotten the best sleep here. I have been through many thunderstorms on & off the lake and have enjoyed many sunny days. I have enjoyed the peacefulness of God's creation, the joy of being in a place where I feel that much closer to my God. After breathing in the fresh air, swimming in the crystal clear warm lake water, gazing at the heavens in the night sky, how anyone could behold such beauty and not believe in our Creator is beyond me.
Now that Kyle & I are in Texas, we don't get to Norris Lake as often as we did when we lived in Ohio. It would be about an 18 hour drive for us now. We were so thankful to have the blessing to be able to go to Norris a couple of weeks ago with my entire family for a week of fun. 
Norris Lake will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm hoping that Kyle & I will be able to find a special place like this closer by where we can go with our family someday. This will keep the tradition alive of taking the time to get away from everything & be with each other & God.
You've read about my special place. This is what I imagine on a really stressful day at work or when I'm down. Where is your place?
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3 comments:
What a great tradition! We have lots of traditions but none quite like a beautiful lake where we return year after year. Seems like a good idea to start one.
Jeff and I have started going to a national park near here to walk/hike on the weekends. It's less than a half hour to get there - Elk Island National Park. It's a beautiful area and we get the added excitement of all the animals in the park! We saw a couple moose last weekend and had to wait for a bison to get out of the way while we were walking! :)
Hello! I found your blog through my darling cousin Martha (now known was mintclartha) and I noticed that you guys live in my area! Small world. I live just north of Fort Worth and work as a jeweler in Hurst. Feel free to stop by my blog anytime!
Oh and my happy place? That would probably be at my grandparents' house, underneath this old clock that makes the most beautiful ticking sound. It's only of those places that remain untouched by time. Places like that mean a lot to me since we've moved to Texas, away from our families in Kentucky.
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