Among the Lakes

A slow-burning Southern rock jam that drifts through the memory of old Florida lake life—before the shoreline filled in and the freedom faded. Built on real places, real moments, and the unspoken code of growing up “among the lakes.” About (Expanded) “Among the Lakes — Extended Jam” is part of the ongoing catalog of Pick’s Hideaway Players, blending vintage-inspired visual storytelling with Southern-rooted musical expression. The track captures a lived-in memory of Central Florida’s Butler Chain—long before density, development, and ownership lines reshaped the shoreline. It reflects a time when access was unspoken, community was fluid, and the experience of the water wasn’t transactional. This extended jam version leans into atmosphere and space—letting the instruments carry emotion the same way the lakes once carried sound at night. The song does not critique individuals or progress directly, but instead documents a shift in feeling—where something once open became defined, structured, and ultimately different. It stands as a preservation piece—capturing not just what was there, but how it felt to be part of it. Lyrics Windermere… Among the lakes… Long days… never ended… Or at least we thought they wouldn’t… Sun come up, we were already gone Barefoot kids before the day got on Bay Hill Marina, dockside dust Old men talkin’, boats we trust Push off slow, idle out wide Canal cuts where the shadows hide Lake Tibbett rollin’ calm and deep Whole world ours and it didn’t cost a thing Lazy days that wouldn’t quit Cooler full and a line to sit Fishin’, laughin’, passin’ time Didn’t know we were livin’ prime Sailboats cut through that southern breeze Stories floatin’ through cypress trees Campfires lit on a hidden shore We’d fall asleep wantin’ just one more Among the lakes… we grew up wild Sunburnt skin and a free-range child No gates, no lines, no “keep out” signs Just water, sky, and borrowed time Among the lakes… we learned it all How to stand, how to rise, how to fall You can pave it down, you can stake your claim But you can’t bring back what we became Night would fall but we stayed out late Stars laid thick on a glassy plate Campin’ out where the gators roam Didn’t feel like danger, felt like home Giggin’ lines and flashlight beams Chasin’ shadows through teenage dreams Laughin’ loud, no fear, no plan Just Florida boys turnin’ into men Heard the stories, felt the past Treasure tales that were built to last Same damn water the cameras caught Before it all got overbought Dads at the wheel, showin’ the way Simple truths in a simple day Didn’t preach, didn’t need to say We were learnin’ more than words could weigh Now I ride where we used to run Too much noise, too much done Shorelines tight, and the air feels sold Hard to find what we used to hold Same lakes still hold that line But they don’t feel yours and they don’t feel mine Somewhere between the then and now We lost the why… just kept the how Among the lakes… we were free Now it’s all security All that money, all that claim Still don’t make it feel the same Among the lakes… back then Didn’t need to fit to fit in Now it’s all been bought and paved But you can’t buy back what the water gave Windermere… Among the lakes…