Photo Of The Day – Imperfection

Title: Imperfection

Location: Island Lake, Washington, USA

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While not the best picture on the planet, it doesn’t have to be.  This is the view on Island Lake, on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington State.  From where I’m standing to approximately the end of the trees through the right side of the frame used to be owned by my extended family.  My grandfather and grandmother to be exact.  I spent many, many summers at the lake with its run down old dance hall and concession stand, harking back to a more vital time at lake.  A time when it was a summer retreat for the masses.  I remember exploring the dance hall and finding bullet shells with my brothers.  At age five, this was seriously cool.  I remember my brother getting a flaming marshmallow stuck to his cheek (no damage done) and shooting bottle rockets acquired at a local Indian reservation into the lake.  At one point my father shot them at my Uncle, much to the latter’s consternation.  I remember our dog Inky tagging along with us in ventures into the woods.  I remember cutting down a Christmas tree and an operation to transplant over 30 trees from the property to near our home to be used as a privacy barrier (1/3 of those trees still stand over 60′ tall).  I remember wading into the water with a mucky bottom and lily pads all around.  We used to ride our bikes at full speed to see who could plow through the water the furthest.  I remember rowing out to the island barely visible in this photo, at the time deserted (there is now a cottage on it). 

And with all those memories I’m still happy that the property is now a county park, available for all.  Certain things are different and some are the same.  The beach is more sandy from extra use, but the clearing is the same.  There are trails and docks and a swing set.  The old buildings, a safety hazard, have all been removed and in their place are cover picnic areas.  It’s a really nice park.  And it was a great childhood.

Photograph Copyright Peter West Carey

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