Chautauqua County

We arrived at Chautauqua Lake around 1pm and dropped off the camper at the KOA. It was a misty rain kind of day. Perfect, actually, for the melancholy mood I was in. Sweet memories of my childhood. The places we visited reminding me of loved ones who have passed, friends lost touch with....we stopped by Midway...now a state park. One of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the country, and the place of many memories. Then we stopped by both grand parent's houses. Nannie, Dick, and Grandma and Grandpa B. have all passed on, but it was sweet to see the homes that hold so many loving memories. We drove by the house that my great uncle lived in. I wasn't sure if family still lived there. There was a man out front with his produce stand so we stopped and I asked his name. He said Marshall and I knew he was was my 2nd cousin whom I hadn't seen since I was a child. I said, "I'm your cousin, Amy". He looked at me like i was crazy, so I added " I'm Ruth Higg's granddaughter ". He said, "yeah! She was my aunt! " It was a short visit, Marshall is quiet and private, but it was lovely to see him and the farmhouse again. I plan to plant some hollyhocks like the ones he grew. His dahlias and zinnias were beautiful, too. We visited the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. Celeron was her hometown too. Literally a block from the house I grew up in. The old neighborhood was TINY compared to the memory of it! Lol. Best part of the day was dinner with Daddy's last remaining sister, my sweet Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim, along with my cousin Jeff and his wife Sherry. I haven't seen Jeff since we moved away when I was 13. Hugging Aunt Linda was the best part of the day. Very bittersweet as I know I may not see her again this side of heaven. She says she wants to plan a family reunion...I'm game! I have to say that what made the day especially meaningful was having Pat to share it with. He listened to all of my memories and stories and shared in every moment.Read more