Friday, July 30, 2010

Summer Memories

Don't you just love it when a sound or smell or taste transports you back to a wonderful childhood memory?

We traveled to Eastern Washington last weekend to celebrate a couple family birthdays. While there, it quickly became apparent - as the distant sound of turbine engines made its way from the river all the way up the hill to where we were staying - that the hydros were in town!

As a child, I lived in a neighborhood that sat just off a street that had a perfect bird's eye view of the river. In the week leading up to Sunday's big race day, every time I would hear the hydroplane engines fire up, I would run, walk, or ride my bike down to the street, and perch myself on the sidewalk corner to watch as the boats tweaked and tested and practiced on the river, in preparation for race day. I would scan the newspaper, looking for any article regarding the boats and drivers and then committing the information to memory.

Then came race day, and the annual BBQ at my house. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins would descend upon our home for food and race-watching. One of my favorite dishes during those BBQs was as simple as they come ... garden-fresh cucumbers, Walla Walla Sweet onions, rice vinegar, salt, and ice all mixed together.

This past weekend, before leaving town on Sunday, we headed to my old stomping grounds and were able to catch two race heats. I felt like a kid again ... except that I knew nothing of most of the boats and drivers, like I used to! And, I didn't have the cukes & onions on-hand ... though, that was fixed after we returned home! :-)

Hope your summer is sparking wonderful memories as well.

12 comments:

Susan Fields said...

Sounds like you had a great visit! My parents have some old frosted mugs that we used to have root beer floats in during the summer. Whenever I see one of those old mugs in their cupboard, it brings me back to those summer nights, sipping our root beer floats. :)

Keri Mikulski said...

Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing the pics. :)

Beth Kephart said...

I have always wanted to live near a river. Always....

(and thanks for your words the other day)

Hilary said...

How lovely for you. There's nothing like the nostalgia of summer. I'm glad that you're getting a good dose of yours.

Sarah Laurence said...

What a magical childhood neighborhood. I feel like I was there on the picnic blanket with your family. Happy summer!

LadyFi said...

What wonderful summer memories!

C.R. Evers said...

Wow! your summer sounds fabulous.

Your memories sound fabulous too!

Love the pictures!!!

Adrienne said...

Those cucumbers look fabulous. When I was growing up our neighbors supplied us with loads of fresh vegetables from their garden - this post brought back some delicious memories.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

You've made me want to get up and go slice up some cuccumbers...I hope you are still havig a lovley summer. :)

Suzanne Casamento said...

Awww...childhood summer memories are the best.

I'm SO making that cucumber salad. Thanks!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Are those cucumbers in vinegar with onions? Oh wow. My mom makes those in the summer and they are to die for. Even better than pickles!

Kelly H-Y said...

They are indeed, Michelle ... and, I agree! :-)