Backpacking to Rainbow Lake - part 4 camp

When we got to the lake - Hallie gave her toes a break while we checked out camp sites. Jed went around the lake

Kurt Kristen Deven and kids went around the lake

And over logs

even Nacho got into the act

Zoe got some hugs

We all re-applied mosquito repellant

We decided to stay at the first place we stopped. Applied more mosquito repellant and started setting up tents.

With Jed and Deven's superior teaching, Carter built and lit the campfire. Smoke helps keep mosquitoes away.

Ellie claimed the food tent

Neil set up a great water purification station, the girls were helpful bringing bottles of water to be purified.

Jake and Ellie practiced turning on their flashlights (around their necks)

Gil prepped a fallen log for sitting and Jed notched the stumps

making a great seat for camp

Bree

Tyler's great hat - kept mosquitoes out of his hair

Stella found a friend

fish for dinner

Jed and Maria
Yes, we are having fun.

More to come.

Backpacking to Rainbow Lake - part 3 the hike in

The trail is pretty gentle mile and a half. First up and then down to the lake. There were a few fallen logs across the trail but then we spread out and went at the kids pace.

This was Bree's first pack trip. She carried her pack in all the way.

All the kids had a bag of trail mix yummy's. They left a trail of dropped cereal along the path too.

Tyler working his way up the trail

Oma enjoyed holding hands with the little ones. Ellie and I weren't going to spend the night. We were planning on going back to Cascade. She carried all her snacks and drink in her purse.

Break on Opa's lap then a ride in the baby pack on Dad's back.

What's this?

McKayla found a toad

This was also Jake's first backpacking trip. He is just barely 3. He walked most of the way in, but his dad gave him a lift and then helped him with his little back pack.

It was slightly over cast - there was thunder in the back ground and a few little sprinkles. But no storms. Very pleasant to walk - but oh my. The mosquitoes were awful. Repeat. AWFUL.

Carter started out at the back of the crew, but discovered that he liked the front much better. Deven had to keep up with him.

oops - if you could see Zoe's face, you would see that it's a bit grumpy-
and now she is happy.

1/4 mile to the lake. We're almost there.

Rainbow lake part 2 - photo shoot

This

inspired this - all the kids in order of age. (Tucker and Rachel are missing)

The oldies

Kristen, Aspen and Emma

Kim, Carter, McKayla, Ellie, Bree, Deven

Kurt, Tyler, Christy, Jake

Jed, Maria, Hannah, Hallie, Stella, Zoe

The whole clan (we missed you Jessi, James, Carlee, Clay, Tucker and Rachel) You didn't miss the mosquito's though.

Family Back Packing Trip part 1

We had a great adventure this past week. Starting with these 3, Emma- Hallie and Aspen, Kristen and I spent a couple of days in Cascade with Oma Great. We swam in the lake, went for walks/rides on scooters & bikes and crafted. Finally Thursday came when the rest of the crew was coming up.

Waiting for cousins to arrive. Thursday night kids bedded down in the living room while others were outside in tents in the back yard.

funny story- in the middle of the night, the sprinklers came on and Kurt's tent especially got wet (Jake had unzipped the rain fly) So Kurt came in hunting for the shut off valves and in the morning, the kids were ready to play. We were grateful for a dryer to take the moisture out of a couple of sleeping bags.

Play - inside and outside

While the adults organized food and packs

The little ones supervised.

And Neil taught the girls about how to take care of and use his cameras.

Then packed, we were off for a two hour drive to the trail head.

Where we had lunch

Tried on our packs

And waited for the grown ups.

They were getting ready for the traditional trail head photos.

Special thanks to Uncle Neil who took many many many of our photos.

This is his test photo, making sure his remote was working.