Vacation day 5 & 6

This is the run down from Day 5, sorry for no pics but I am doing this from work since our computer is still messed up at home.

We had all decided to get up again and go hiking early that day and to pack a lunch. I had originally thought we were just going to do the 2.45 mile hike on the preserve but Angie and Matthew had hiked back that way the day before and said we could hike up to Phelps lake and then hike around the lake and there were place to picnic on the other side of the lake. I was a little worried because the park ranger had mentioned that the part that we were going up to the lake was a little steep in places and it was a hike around the lake. But off we went, the hike up was steep at times and part of it was in the sun so we had to stop a few times and I could tell Allie was struggling some she was not leading the group this time but with my mom in the back. But once we got to the lake it was nice and shady and Austin was sound asleep in the carrier. We stopped and rested to enjoy the view. My brother and dad wanted to wade out to this point to fish, so we decided we would meet them on the other side of the lake for lunch and we would take the shorter of the 2 paths (although it was not much shorter). It was a nice hike, pretty easy and almost all in the shade, the only problem is that it is narrow and when people would pass you, it was tight. We passed this rock on the way there that jets out into the water that Matthew and Angie had said they were going to jump off of after lunch. Then got to the beach area, which was nice except for the mosquitoes all over the place, we saw several deer, one saw about 5 feet from us at one point.

My family showed up and we all found a place to sit and eat lunch. Matthew and my dad decided to fish a little more and Angie and Allie got in the water. heath and I also took off our shoes and walked in it a little but the water was COLD. We even let Austin put his feet in, but he was too sure about it. I am sure between the cold and the first time feeling sand he did not know what he was standing on. After hanging out there for a while we decided to head back. As we got up to the rock where you could jump i the water several other people were also jumping in so we stopped and watched and then Matthew and Angie decided to go. Better them than me, it was a pretty high jump. (if I had my pics I would show you). Anyways after watching them we headed back. By the time we got back we were all in need of a shower and rest. We also found out the trail just around the lake was 7 miles plus the 1.2 it takes to get to that trail so we figured we walked about 9 miles that day on our end since we took the "short" route. But honestly we all said it really did not seem like it was that long. Poor Heath though had to carry Austin in backpack the whole time so that added about 30 pounds on his back . Once we got back to the house we all got in the hot tub and then got cleaned up because my family was taking us out to eat for a late birthday dinner for me. We went to a place called sweetwaters and ate outside. It was really nice and we all tried new things. Allie ate catfish for the 1st time and decided she liked it, and I have a buffalo steak, which was really good, there was also some elk which was good but the best was the bread pudding my brother ordered for dessert. I am not usually a fan but this was awesome. The we went back to the house and just hung out and started to pack back up.

Thursday (day 6) we just packed up and got the house picked up some. of course Matthew made us all breakfast again and we tried to eat up any food we had brought with us. Overall it was really a GREAT vacation and I would do it again and again. I love the mountains but it is really different up there, more secluded and peaceful than in Colorado. You just feel like you are in the old west there.

So like I said it may have taken me a while to get all these posts out but with the computer issues it is what it is. I am glad I can at least journal about them here so one day my kids can read over them. I know Austin will be to young to remember this trip but I am hopeful Allie will have some memories.