Today was much warmer yet still cloudy, and it did sprinkle a little this afternoon. It was still quite cool in the morning so I didn't head out until about 1 PM. I would have liked to have been there for the parade at 10 AM, but neither of us though that would be much fun in the cold and fog. As it turned out, Dianna was not feeling well so I went alone.
As I rode into town I saw cars parked everywhere. Although the parade was long over there were obviously many picnics, parties, and family gatherings going on. I rode to the Labor Day Park and easily found a place to park the scooter. It looked as I remembered it except that it seemed much smaller. I remember sitting on the grassy slope where many people were sitting.
There was a car show going on, and I looked at the 30 or so cars twice. I then walked through the craft and concession area two or three times. There were maybe 10 craft stands and maybe 8 food stands. I listened to the entertainment for as long as I could stand their off key singing. I also walked through the carnival ride area. There were maybe six rides, but they were not of any interest if you were older than 8.
The place was packed, but I really don't know what everyone was doing. I guess it was just the thing to do. There was a horse pull going on with a couple hundred in the stands, but there were several hundred just wandering around the rest of the grounds. I guess this is another example of community. There was absolutely nothing going on that would interest anyone who didn't live in the area.
I left after a little more than an hour. I felt funny about doing so, but I had seen everything two or three times. There just wasn't anything else to see or do. It struck me again that it was about community. This is a community get-together, and I'm no longer part of it.
On the way back to Cuba I rode around Rushford Lake. I saw the public beach where we used to swim. Both Cuba and Rushford lakes do not have an inch of land surrounding them without houses. It is so different from the lakes I am accustomed to in the west.
I did stop and take one photo on the way back. See if you can figure out whose house it is.
Obama's summer home?
ReplyDeleteI don't think you knew anyone except the Rileys on that road but it dosen't look like their house
ReplyDeleteI was hoping Mom would chime in. Here's a hint. I went home by way of Belfast and Black Creek.
ReplyDeleteI just jumped in here--and have no idea whose house it is. Remember, I have been away as long as you have. You are correct; Rushford Labor Day is the difference between community and the world. You have seen so many things and been so many places in the world, and I would feel safe betting that some of those people still think that a trip to Olean is exciting. Sometimes I wonder if they aren't happier with neighbors; you had more a sense of that in Albuquerque--more close friends, more things to do together--Church Pot Luck dinners, etc. Next year, I will have been graduated from High School for 70 years. I wonder is anyone else is still alive. Who would I know back there? (But, I still get homesick--probably more for the scenery and surroundings than anything else.)
ReplyDeleteI thought that when I mentioned Belfast it might give it away. Unless I am mistaken this was the house Uncle Reuben and Aunt Una lived in. It was just on the other side of the bridge across the Genessee River and up the road to the left. I remember going there for Thanksgiving more than once. We walked down to the bridge and out onto it. At the time it was one of the metal grate type that you could see through. Now it is paved. It certainly made an impression on me.
ReplyDeleteI also remember that they later lived in a house on the south end of Main Street. I can't tell which one anymore. We also visited them there. They had corn growing behind the house and Uncle Reuben wouldn't pick it until Aunt Una had the water boiling.
The things that I remember most about that house is that one year when we were there for Thanksgiving dinner, Grandma L, Aunt Una, Dale, you and I went for a walk. We started over the grated bridge, and when we looked back to be sure you boys were following us, Dale was on all fours, crawling across it, looking down to see running water every inch of the way. It was before Daryl was born, so he was maybe just two years old, and you were three and a half. The other thing that reminds me of that place is the year that Dad and I drove someone's truck to Rochester that day to pick up a load of Christmas trees for someone. On the way back, the rain turned to snow, and the roads became a skating link. It took a lot longer returning. Of course, you boys were at Uncle Reuben's with Grandma, as usual.
ReplyDeleteI went with you and Dad on one trip to Rochester to get Christmas trees. I don't know if he did it more than once but I thought it was something special to ride in that truck.
ReplyDeleteAs for Dale on all fours, that is really funny. I'll let him tell you about his fear of heights still today. He showed it to Dianna and me at Letchworth.
Dale and I must have acrophobia in common.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of heights either but only when it's on someplace that I could actually fall off. I'm ok if there's glass between me and the way off.
ReplyDeleteIs it Zack or Nate who stays as close to the wall as possible when there is a cliff on the other side? I remember a picture when they were here, with one of the boys on the outside edge and the other as far away as he could get. Noah seemed unconcerned.
ReplyDeleteI even have visions of falling out of an airplane when I am flying.
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