Skip to main content

Luverne writer named one of the
best in high school publication

The following essay by Amanda Saum, Luverne, was published in the September issue of The High School Writer, a national publication. Her essay was labeled an "Award Winner," which according to teacher Elizabeth Petersen, has happened just once before to a Luverne student. Saum is now an 8th-grader but wrote the essay last year.

Lake Miltona
By Amanda Saum
I love to go to my grandma and grandpa's lake cabin on Lake Miltona. Lake Miltona is about a half an hour away from Alexandria. In August we always have our family reunion there. It is my favorite place to be. It's a long drive, but it's definitely worth it!

The lake cabin is, to me, the most relaxing place. My cousins and I walk around barefoot almost all the time. When you first step into the lake, you can feel the warm water splashing at your heels. The soft, muddy sand on the bottom oozes between your toes. As you wade out farther, you start to feel waving green seaweed twist around your legs. The light breeze lifts up your hair. You jump up onto the scorching inner tube. With a little push, you glide gently through the water. Once you are out quite far there is no more rocky sand or seaweed. You dive down, and the warm water surrounds you. The sun shines brightly with an orange glare as you sit back in the inner tube and drift about. Swimming is one of my favorite things to do at the cabin.

The beach is also a great place to be. The soft, sugary sand slides in between your toes. Tiny white shells litter areas of the beach. An ashy bonfire pit contains only the burnt remains of last night's roasted marshmallows. There is an old wooden swing to sit on. You push back and forth, the wind blowing lightly at your face. It's a great place to sit back, drink a pop, and read a book. You now get up from the swing and walk toward the dock. You step on the wet slabs of stone. Now you feel the hot metal under your feet. The dusty fishing boat sits to the right. Almost every grandchild has had a photo taken in a bright orange life jacket at the far end of the classic fishing spot. Sitting down on the dock on a hot day to dangle your feet in the water is wonderful.

One of the most fun things to do at the lake cabin is to go for a paddleboat ride. My cousins and I strap on our life jackets, pile up into the paddleboat with cans of pop in hand, and push off. Away we go, gliding across the lake, The wind is blowing, you drift your hand through the water, and rest your tired legs. You lean back for a suntan, the waves rolling, as the boat rocks you to sleep.

Another favorite spot at the cabin is the hammock. Across the lush green grass between two trees hangs the white hammock. My cousins and I like to take turns lying in it. We rest easily there and are shaded from the hot sun. It is the perfect place to lay back and have an afternoon nap.

Our day is over. We head back to the cabin. The soft, mossy ground squishes under our bare feet. An unfinished croquet game is scattered across the huge lawn. You climb up on the old deck. You can feel the rough wooden boards under your feet. Into the cabin you go, up the steep stairs, and onto one of the 10 comfy beds. You pull the light blanket over yourself and pull the shade over the dark window. As the shade comes down, you see mosquitoes buzzing and the faded yellow lights of fireflies. As you close your eyes you hear the faint calls of loons. A car rolls down the gravel road. Tomorrow we will feed the geese old bread, go swimming, lie in the hammock, rock in the swing, go for a paddleboat ride, walk on the beach, have water balloon fights, and roast marshmallows. Just another day at the lake.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.