[Russtic]

I smiled when I read Cal's response as he perfectly described my anticipation as we headed in to Alton Bay for our annual vacation in the late 60's/early 70's. To my wife's amusement, we absolutely must travel the same route when our family arrives at the lake for vacation, even though we stay in Wolfeboro! Just have to get out of the car and stroll down memory lane to check out the old cottage we rented, the Back Bay beach, the Mount's dock, etc.
If I had to pick one favorite memory, though, it would be this: My older brother and I would get up early, dress quickly, sneak past the foot of my parents bed and carefully go down the old creaking stairs and out of the cottage. We walked to the old Victoria Pier (now Shibley's) to get the Globe. I can picture all the customers at the breakfast counter and the rack of newspapers, and can still smell the eggs, bacon, newspapers, left-over popcorn from the machine still outside from the night before, and those dusty cedar souvenirs (wish I had one of those now.) We'd head back via the railroad station and sit on the benches in the back, the early morning sun warming us, excited about another great day on tap at the lake.
I think the reason this sticks with me is because we weren't very old and felt like big shots going off by ourselves. Also, it was a close time between brothers.
Russtic