Tuesday, August 26, 2008



Bright and early on the 21st of August we headed up north to Bear Lake. It is about a 3 hour drive not to mention what ever stops have to be made. We couldn't check in until 3pm so to make the most of the day we stopped at Tony Grove about 30 miles outside of Logan, Utah and went on a small nature hike. It is a beautiful little spot,one I would like to visit again. The kids had a great time though there wasn't much more than cows to see because they were all to noisy with excitement.

Bear Lake straddles the border of Utah and Idaho. It is a beautiful blue color because of the minerals in it. The water is so clear and blue that you can see down pretty deep into it. The beaches are soft sand. If you didn't know better you would think you were on an island beach. While many parts of the lake are very deep, the shores are shallow. We had to walk pretty far before it even was to our waist. This made it nice to not have to worry so much about the kids. They loved every minute of it.
When we first arrived at our camping spot it was impossible to keep them from the beach. Our spot was a quick five minute walk to the shore and they remembered that from last year. They were all sad they couldn't get in that day. They made up for it the next day spending 7 hours of pure joy in the mud, sun and water. Now the high for the day was about 77-78 and the water temp is about 68. I didn't even take my sweater off until afternoon. They didn't care and barely complained about being cold.
Olivia washed her head in the mud for about an hour. A couple of time I just had to make sure hadn't fallen asleep. Everyone just really enjoyed a relaxing day.
That night we celebrated Garin's birthday with some dutch oven peach cobbler and later hot cocoa and an amazing view of the milky way.
Of course with kids it wasn't all peaches and cream. I was proud of how well they went to bed every night because they were exhausted. My kids never go to bed. But there was plenty of dirty messes and crazy behavior. Our friends had to make a trip to the medical clinic because their 3 yr old shoved a shell up his nose. And clean up lasted a little too long for their patience. But overall they were good and we all had a great time.
On the way home we stopped at the Gossner's cheese factory in Logan. A place that the Free's loved to go to when they lived there. We got yummy samples, great deals on cheese and ice cream. Then we made the long trip home and back to reality.

7 friends said...:

Autumn said...

Now I see what you mean by Bear Lake being the Caribbean of the Rockies! Pretty!!

Hey, no adventure is perfect- that's what makees it an adventure. But it sounds and looks like so much fun! {except for the little one who's nose must STILL be throbbing from the shell. haha OUCH.}

Great pictures, too. :)

Shaina said...

That really does look like an ocean beach!! I love finding gems like that in the middle of nowhere. What a fun weekend. Happy birthday to the G-Man.

Sharon said...

wow!! that sounds like it was an amazing trip! fun, i'll have to put it on my list of places to go next summer

The Free Family said...

I already want to go back! Jordan keeps saying can't to go again next week, but I think he means next year! At least I hope so...it's a lot of work!

The Free Family said...

So I'm a dork and totally left words out of my comment, hope you got the jist! Insert the words HE and WAIT.

Baden and Emily said...

you stinkers! why did'nt we do that when we lived there! did you try to call me?

Wendi and Matt said...

k bear lake is my most favorite place ever! tho it takes you a heck of lot shorter time than us in az :) i love it! their little diner's are homeaide, the people are so friendly, the horseback riding, and caves and of course the blue awesome lake! i am so jealous!