Chautauqua Lake
Every morning I drive the seven and a half minute commute to my office from Sunset Bay into the village of Bemus Point. I go past the cemetery and roll into town along the lake. Every day the lake has a different look, a different mood. Seasons filter the scenery. The light of a night or morning sky tints the water, the trees, and cottages across the waves towards Stow. Sometimes the colors are muted and the far shore disappears in mist. Sometimes the sunset sky is so drenched in vivid color that you can hardly believe it is not a painting you are witnessing.
What Would the Tourists Say?
Occasionally, I wonder what the summer tourists would think if they saw the lake on a fall evening when the leaves have gone to yellow and red, reflected in a mirror finish on the waveless surface. One can almost feel the stillness, or if they saw the ice begging to form in patches until it is all locked up in thick shards. No boats are bobbing on the water, just ice fishermen in tents dotting the white and gray of the frozen water.
Village Life
Some days the lake just looks ordinary, like seeing a starlet with out here makeup. But some days it looks so beautiful that it takes your breath and makes you feel awe. I probably have the best commute, seven and 1/2 minutes of beauty and then the familiar comfort of the Village. “Oh, there’s Anne putting her sign out at Lakeside Cottages, there’s Carol rearranging the pumpkins on Skillman’s doorstep.
I wave at John Marsh andDr. Rappole having their morning run. Karen is out on her daily walk. The Bemus Inn looks cozy at 8 in the morning. Maybe I need to stop in for a muffin if I get a break. What a great way to start and end a day, almost everyday.
And then there is always the ride home. The sunsets are not the same every evening, but they are always beautiful.
