The day that we return from the Crooked River Campground Brent and I literally packed and headed to the ranch. Jay needed some help with fencing and other odds and ends around the property. Brent and I enjoyed the one on one time in the middle of nowhere. Plus we love it the scenery and we’re excited to do some shooting this time too! Of course it was wild weather there. When we arrived it was raining.
The creek was pretty loud. Lots of mini falls and water running through.
After doing some fencing we stopped in the field of dreams to eat some lunch. We set up the target and I practiced shooting. I was able to hit it on my second try.
The thunderstorm clouds started rolling in fast and the wind picked up. We headed back to the fence and got busy working.
Our first day was pretty unproductive, so we decided we’d get up early the next day and get to work.
This day we saw lightning and the thunder was almost right over us. I urged Brent to head back to the house. So we started that way to eat lunch indoors. The rain never actually went over us, it went around where we were. So we went back to work.
There were spots of twisted fence and downed fence and missing fence posts.
We drove the perimeter a few times all in all looking for spots that needed mending. We got a ton of stuff done.
We even saw a rainbow in the distance.
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Our very last fence fix of the day was where a tree fell and took down fence. Then it looked like someone tried to attach miscellaneous barbed wire to connect bits of fencing. We moved the post forward, cut and reran the line. It was a little time consuming, but looked better when it was all done. Pictures don’t really do justice to how bad it looked in person before we fixed it.
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A little before (too) and after (bottom).
We worked until the sun went down. Then enjoyed some dinner and card games. The next morning we cleaned the house a little, and then headed home to our boys!
We were able to squeeze in a camping trip at Waldo Lake this year. We had wanted to go back there ever since our first trip there six years ago. The beach was warm sand the water was clear up to 30 feet depths, and it was so warm.
However this time, it was still gorgeous, but freezing. There was snow still on the ground. So all of the swimming I thought we would do did not happen. Instead we hiked around and used the kayak. Mostly enjoyed the campfire and company of one another.
I convinced my dad to go, so that was a plus. The boys enjoy grandpa and all his stories and adventures.
Emmett and I waited for everyone to use the bathrooms. We bought the mosquito bracelets for the kids and brought four citronella candles In case the bugs were bad. But, I think because if the wind and periodic rain/snow the bugs were low.
The campsite next to us had a ton of wood left there, so the park hosts told us we should grab it. Most of it was damp. So it didn’t catch fire as easily as the stuff we brought, but for three nights it kept us warm!
Brent got grandpa’s new kayak ready to go and before the sunset on the first night we got it in the water.
August insisted on being taken out to the little island and left there. So that is what Brent dis. He rowed out and left him and came back for Emmett.
Grandpa ran to get Emmett’s life jacket first!
I’m pointing at August out on the island.
Bray and I trekked over to the point where the bench was. Then to the sandy beach area to collect Emmett from Brent.
Bray’s favorite, the T-pose.
Back at camp grandpa had the fire going strong. I started dinner!
We ate dinner and then retreated to our tents. We watched a cartoon with the boys and then called it a night!
The next morning I got up early and made the fire.
The boys slowly trickled out of the tent all puffy eyed and tired.
Emmett’s glow sticks from the night before were still glowing strong.
We were discussing what to do that day and it began to sprinkle. We decided to put up the canopy over the picnic table and throw ponchos on the kids.
When the rain stopped we decided to go on a little hike around the lake.
We stopped at several little beaches. We found little fire pits and makeshift camps along the shore off the trail.
Emmett even found lady bugs in a log.
We stopped and ate lunch on a beach that had a lot of soft nice sand. Grandpa drew a heart (he does this a lot) and the boys tried to destroy it.
We made our way back to camp and decided to kayak some more. August wanted to be left on his island. So I went and dropped him off.
I went and swapped with Dad and Emmett.
While I waited for the boys I found some frogs.
Apparently Emmett wanted to swim. So Brent let him out of the kayak.
Squirrels trying to get in on our breakfast...or warmth.
Aside from the slightly chilly wet weather we had a blast. It was as beautiful as we remembered and really isn’t that far from us. The mosquitos were a little bad when the sun came out, but we enjoyed our time regardless of their presence.
Next time we will try to go in August. When there should be less chance of snow.
