Nabeeha Qadri: Places act as vessels for our experiences, holding onto the echoes of our past. Whether it’s a park bench or a cozy cafe, physical places anchor memories and trigger nostalgia. Today we’ll talk with sophomore Gwen Uhlhorn about a place that holds a deep significance in her life.

Uhlhorn: A place that holds a lot of significance in my life is my grandparents lake house. It was like a vacation spot that we went to throughout the year and in summer, and we had family gatherings there. And it was just a lot of fun to go there.

Qadri: Where is it?

Uhlhorn: It was on Serpent Lake.

Qadri: Is it in Minnesota?

Uhlhorn: Yeah. In Minnesota. It’s like about a two and a half hour drive from here.

Qadri: So how did your time in this play shape who you are today?

Uhlhorn: It shaped who I am today as it was like a lot of great family bonding time because it was always like something I’d look forward to. [There was] no homework there, obviously. And we’d all put the work and whatever aside and we could play games, go shopping together, swim, like a lot of outdoor activities. And I feel like it really made me closer to my family. And I found lots of interests I share with them.

Qadri: What kind of interests?

Uhlhorn: I love to play board games with my grandpa. We always did Michigan rummy together, which is like one of the few games my grandma will play, but it’s just like something I looked forward to every time. I always wanted to play this. Apparently since I was little, I always was trying to figure out how to play that game and it was something very exciting. And then we would watch a lot of movies together. We always watched “The Great Mouse Detective” when we were up there. So that was one of my favorite things to do. It was great.

Qadri: So you still go there?

Uhlhorn: No, we don’t go there anymore. But the last time was around three years ago I think, because then we got more busy and stuff. So it became less of like a thing we did. But I still feel like it’s like something I will remember.

Qadri: So do your grandparents still have that cabin?

Uhlhorn: No, my grandparents sold it a few years ago, but we still do other things in the summer. But now we do other things like trips and vacations because me and my cousin are no longer toddlers where we always wanted to go somewhere that was always set up for us. But now we do different things, [in] other places. Like we still play games and stuff, but it’s just slightly different. But I still will always remember the times there.

Qadri: Oh, and you mentioned Michigan rummy. That was the game [you played]?

Uhlhorn: Yes.

Qadri: How do you play it? For those who don’t know.

Uhlhorn: Okay. It’s basically like poker. So you get a hand and then you just try to get rid of all your cards as fast as possible. But like, you have to go in a certain order of suit. And there’s chips, but we never bet anything. Just fun. Yeah.

Qadri: And if you could transport anyone to this place, what is the single emotion or feeling you would want them to experience.

Uhlhorn: Just like calmness, I feel like it’s just always very chill. It’s kind of like it’s close to a town, but it’s surrounded by trees and lakes and it’s always so nice just to have like a breath of fresh air.

Qadri: And have you learned any values or life lessons from going there?

Uhlhorn: That it’s always important to make time with your family, even if it’s really busy. It’s important to do so and you’ll have a lot of fun and maybe even learn more things you didn’t know, like interests you shared. And then you’ll have something to always look forward to and look back on and something you always want to do with them.

Qadri: That’s beautiful.

Uhlhorn: Thank you.

Qadri: Take me there with you. Like, what are the sights, sounds, and smells that immediately come to mind when you think of this place?

Uhlhorn: I always heard like birds and then just the sound of the lake hitting against the shore. And that was always very calming. We had a gazebo so you could sit outside and be immersed in nature. I guess it smells like there’s pine trees around. And then you could smell the lake and flowers.

Qadri: Oh very nice. And can you share a specific defining memory from this location that you will never forget?

Uhlhorn: Oh, if I had to pick one defining memory. I think it would be like getting to drive the pontoon boat on the lake. Like I did it a few times when I was younger. But then like the first time I was really trusted. Like it was something I will not forget. I was so nervous, but I also enjoyed it a lot.

Qadri: So yeah, that’s so cool. So was it just you in the boat or were your other families?

Uhlhorn: No, my grandpa, my grandma and my mom were there in the pontoon boat. Yeah. That’s so cool.

Qadri: And you just drove it around?

Uhlhorn: Yeah, just drove it around the lake. I was so nervous, but my grandpa was just backing away because I’m like, don’t go. And he’s like, you’re gonna be fine. And I did it. I didn’t crash the boat and I quite enjoyed it. And then I did it like multiple times that summer again.

Qadri: Would you do it again?

Uhlhorn: I would definitely do it again. It’s been a bit since I’ve driven it, so I’d probably be really nervous about it, but I could do it.

Qadri: And so, Gwen, do you have anything else to add?

Uhlhorn: I really loved a lot of the games and the TV, we did not have a great internet connection there, but it was always fun to like, to flip through the discs and stuff and find something on disc there. I got to bond with my grandma by watching all these old movies and shows that she used to like or still watches … before streaming services.

Qadri: What do you think the importance of internet disconnection is?

Uhlhorn: I feel like it’s nice because then you don’t have to see other things that maybe take your attention away because you feel the pressure to do it. Like there’s definitely important parts of the internet, but it also forces you to connect with people and like to go back to other things that other people might have. That might not be as common if you had all the movies [on streaming], let’s just say you wouldn’t necessarily pick the one from the 1970s. But once you watch it, it’s fun because I know my grandma loves it and I enjoy it too now. Right?

Qadri: That’s so cool. Those were all my questions. But if you have any final thoughts?

Uhlhorn: No, I don’t know. It’s just really nice to have a place where I feel comfort. It is my place I go to when I just need a mental break and I can think about all the fun, exciting things that I do. And the things that I’ve taken away with me to think about and do in other places now too.

Qadri: Uhlhorn’s experience at her grandparents lakehouse shows that more than the place itself, it’s the people there that make lifelong memories.