Trial Lake

So, I guess I need to add more details about camping.  We got rained on at least twice a day, but that's pretty normal up there.

We got to Trial Lake on Wednesday night.  It was raining pretty bad, so my bro-in-law let us sleep in their camper.  It was nice.  Thanks again!

Thursday, we got up, set up camp, ate, then took the kayaks out on the lake.  We all got fried.  It was pretty chilly, I was a bad mom and just didn't think about sunscreen.  Kaylee was sick (teething) so she didn't play much.  Thursday night, my brother and his family did a yummy dinner, and we made s'mores and roasted Starbursts.  Sounds weird.  Just try it.  You'll like it.

Friday, we got up, had breakfast, and four of us (my dad, brother, his wife, and me) headed to Bald Mountain.  The weather was great when we left, but about half way up there, dark clouds started to roll in.  It's an area you don't want to be stuck in with lightening.  We were still in the area that had some bushes when lightening struck.  Man, that was loud.  We decided to lay low in some bushes and wait it out.  It was really windy.  Yes, we probably should have turned back, but this was the last chance for who knows how long that we'd have to do this.  So, we waited.  It cleared up a little, and we started up the trail again.  There were still people at the top that weren't racing down, so how bad could it be?  We forged on then we got to the "bald" part.  It's called Bald Mountain for a reason.  It started hailing.  We found a little cave-ish rock and hid there for awhile.  Several hikers on their way back down said that lightening strike was creepy, but that it wasn't bad up there now.  So, once it stopped hailing and the clouds cleared a little, we trudged on with no more problems (unless you consider lack of oxygen and jell-o legs problems).  We finally made it to the top, though!  The weather really was great up there!  It only took about 2 hours to get up, which I thought was good considering the two long stops for weather, and just taking it slow in general.

Friday we cooked dinner (see pictures in the slide show).  My aunt, uncle, and their granddaughter that I haven't seen for who knows how long came up.  Also, another aunt and cousin, and 1st cousin twice removed came (I think that's the correct relationship) came for a night.  It was great to see everyone.  It was just like the old days (I'm 30 now, I can say that) sitting around the camp fire chatting.

Saturday morning, my parents left.  That afternoon, we headed to Wall Lake.  It was a good hike, and all the kids survived.  It was really pretty up there and the kids had a blast throwing rocks in the water.  Kaden had to be carried for awhile on the way back.  Poor kid was totally worn out.  There was no bribery that would get him to walk anymore.

Sunday, we got up, had breakfast, packed up, and came home.  It was an awesome weekend!