Archive | July 17, 2012

Good ol’ Summertime

Jul17
Roanoke, VA

Roller Coaster at Mountain Park in Roanoke, VA Early twentieth century

Where did Isabel and her friends go to ride a roller coaster in the 1920’s? They went to Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia. There were amusement park rides as well as a pavilion and a grandstand where music was played.

Where did I go to ride a roller coaster when I was a kid?

We went to the Lakeside Park in Salem, Va. It was wonderful!

I can still feel the joy at hearing the words, “We’re going to Lakeside today!” We could hear the happy crowds before we arrived. Laughter, screams as the Shooting Star roller coaster plunged quickly, click, click, click of the cars climbing a steep hill and more screams as it quickly rounded a sharp curve – and I couldn’t wait for my turn!

As soon as one entered the park, the smells were wonderful. Candy apples, popcorn, sticky cotton candy but my first stop was the Ferris Wheel. From the top, one could practically see the entire park. Oh, what fun!

When my husband speaks of Lakeside, he remembers Cactus Joe and his wife, “Sweetie”.

  • If you have Lakeside memories, we would love to hear them.
  • What were summer activities you looked forward to as a child?
  • What or who stands out in your memories?
  • What was your best summer ever?

Please feel free to share!

History of Lakeside

Lakeside was first opened around 1920 as a pool with a sandy beach. So Isabel may have spent time here as well. I have a picture of her and my grandfather taken at Lakeside around 1936.  It was a wonderful place to go and was a big part of Roanoke and Salem’s history. We enjoyed hot summer days at lakeside until it closed in 1986.

For more information on Lakeside, go to http://salemmuseum.org/lakeside.aspx

We also had the Mill Mountain Zoo but that’s another story!

(Old photographs borrowed from http://www.oldroanoke.com Go to the site for fantastic pictures of time gone by.)

Jul17

More views of Historic Virginia Homes from the Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast. Today they are staying at The Inn at Warner Hall in Gloucester, VA. Don’t miss this – they have pictures! =-)

Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast

Okay, no getting jealous about this one!

Tomorrow night (Tuesday night), Brett and I are going to be staying at the Inn at Warner Hallin Gloucester, Virginia. You may remember it from our previous post, Nothing ventured, nothing gained posting. Brett has a meeting on Wednesday in Saluda, Virginia with VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) to discuss our entry into the plantation from State Route 301. After that meeting, he is meeting with our surveyor/engineer to discuss the site plan for zoning. So we thought it would be allot easier for him to get there if we slept closer. (That excuse is good as any… haha) After breakfast, I will be returning to Chesapeake and my current job to work.

http://www.warnerhall.com/

 

But we are hoping to be able to look a little closer at Warner Hall and how they have things set up. So far it is the closest to…

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Rejoice – The Lord Reigns!

Jul17

 

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth: Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Sing to the LORD with the harp.

With the harp and the sound of a psalm,

With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell in it:

Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD.”

Psalm 98:4-9

What is there to fear? Why fret? Despite the circumstances, the heat, the tragedies and the trials, we remember that He Lives! Rejoice and be glad for the wondrous things He provides daily and we don’t normally notice because we become complacent.  Today, lets look for something wondrous to be glad about and rejoice for His goodness, grace and mercy. Sing unto the Lord and look for ways to praise Him.

What are you rejoicing for today? What treasures in the sand of life has He shown you today? What song has He placed on your heart?