Resort Living – A Frame of Mind (or is it?)

Jazz on Lake Tahoe

I was driving home the other evening, singing along with the old classic (by the way – what is the cut-off date to become a classic) “Bye, Bye Miss American Pie” and influenced by the tune, I found myself reflecting on mental images of some of this summers’ highlights.  Not too surprising was the realization that the stage in which every event took place was outdoors.  Seriously, there was only one event that I could remember having been held indoors and that was an in-house concert.  Okay – music is also a repetitive theme.

Throughout the summer we held our weekly Tuesday Night Beach dinner without fail.  This particular week was incredible with food beyond belief, warm breezes even after the sun went down and a rising full moon simply forced us to howl with delight.  On Thursday nights, there was jazz on the beach (see attached image,) Stateline held their outdoor concerts such as Elton John, Northstar found us riding up the gondola to see Natalie Cole perform on the mountain side and  we enjoyed the biggest laugh we have had in years at Shakespeare At the Lake. Believe me, these mental images are as lovely as a Monet painting.  I can’t help but smile from the joy they bring me. I mean a big old, ear-to-ear grin.

As I reflect on these memories, I can’t help but wonder if living in a resort town contributes to the magic surrounding these various outings.  After all, these types of activities take place throughout the world and I have lived in a wide variety of cities within California.  Yet, I just don’t recall being so in awe of that which I find myself experiencing on nearly a day-to-day basis. Would the music (sound) combined with fresh air (smell), splashes of vivid colors (sight), comfortable temperatures (touch), yummy food & beverages (taste) be as effective in embedding  these memories deep in my brain cells if the backdrop of the Sierras and the waters of Lake Tahoe weren’t  as part of the package?  Or is it just easier to reach out and connect when nature is hosting the environment? OR – does the aging process simply find dwelling on pleasantries more comfortable?  I don’t know the answer but boy – I like the outcome!