All About the Details: John Family Bear Lake trip

Friday, September 16, 2011

John Family Bear Lake trip

I must admit that this post is very delayed, but necessary. Our John family trip for 2011 included a stay at a cabin in Bear Lake in August. I have always loved Bear Lake, with the mountain atmosphere, the beach, and the beautiful water. Well, this year, we got one out of the three. With all of the snow and rainfall this past winter and spring, the water at Bear Lake was up over 11 feet. The site was crazy...the water is right up to the road on the west side! The beach was pretty much gone, and the water was very mucky and dirty...far from the clear water I am used to at Bear Lake. We still had a great time. I love my cute family!

The first day in Bear Lake we met up with my aunts, uncles and cousins over on the east side of the lake. We had a great little area with a small strip of beach (although fairly rocky), a grassy area, and a pavilion. This was really the only time we had to play in the water of Bear Lake. Buppa's little boat was a big hit again this year.

All of the cute kiddos lined up to watch the Reese volleyball tournament. Too cute.

Thanks to the Reeses for letting us crash your party. We had a great time!

Spencer had his parents' boat there, so we enjoyed a few boat rides. Some of my cousins wake boarded, and some of the kids loved the water weenie (or the "weenie whiny" as Anna called it).

That night we checked into our cabin, located on the winding road from Logan canyon to Garden City. The cabin wasn't fancy, but it was perfect for us. There were bedrooms for all of us, including a bunk bed room for Anna and I equipped with a TV/VCR combo and toys galore. (Trav unfortunately wasn't able to make it up. He was working.) The deck of of the cabin faced east so we had a great view of the lake.

Very early the next morning, we were all suddenly awakened by the the most impressive thunder and lightning storm. The storm sent a power surge through the cabin, and we were all jolted awake when it sent the smoke alarm off...a few times. All of us (except for Anna - she somehow slept through the storm) sat in the cabin watching the sun come up through the crazy lightning. I tried to capture the lightning with my camera, but I failed miserably. This picture does the beautiful scene no justice. The sun shining over the lake and the cloud cover over us made for some breathtaking scenery!

Saturday we went on a four wheeler ride. Anna got a mini-ride beforehand...

...then she got strapped into the back of the Jeep for a ride up the canyon. She must have liked the wind in her face...she fell asleep!

Laci, Cody and JJ, back at the cabin.

The best swimming that Anna got was in Buppa's blow up pool. We could have been in the backyard, but she had a blast.

Sunday morning, we headed to the southwest side of Bear Lake. The Laub's were kind enough to let us invade their private beach. Their "cabin" (really their summer home) was simply amazing. I want a cabin like this! Here is the front of the home, right down on the beach.

The back of the home, with a beautiful landscaped lawn and then their private beach.

The beach was great, but the water in this area was very murky and swampy, and honestly quite disgusting. My mom and I took a few steps in the water and decided not to go back in. So we hung out on the beach and cooked lunch.

The boys and Maday played a few games, then we headed back to the cabin.

We spent the rest of the night enjoying a fabulous dinner by Maday and basically being entertained by Anna. At one point, Anna was in the cabin in nothing but her underwear. She really wanted to go swimming in the pool. I told her that she can't go swimming in her undies and needed a swimsuit. She proceeded to quickly strip off her underwear and yell "No panties for me!" while baring her naked backside for all to see. Silly girl...quite hilarious!