THREADS OF FRIENDSHIP SWIM by Andrea Barna

“Growing up in Chappaqua New York, my family owned a home in Upstate New York—the Catskills to be exact, and the town was called Andes. Every weekend, my family and I would drive up to the mountains and escape to our home surrounded by the most beautiful scenery one could possibly imagine, the Lake being by far the most picturesque. My brother and I, along with family friends, would swing into the lake from a rope atop a tree house built by the families of our friends. Reminiscent of older, simpler times, before the town became full of new restaurants and shops. We played in the lake until our lips turned blue and until we heard those dreadful words—dinner time.”

Stay at quaint and cozy Andes Hotel, which has been in town forever.

-Andrea Barna