After driving from Cashmere to Winthrop we unloaded at the campground. This year we were situated against the hill. Last year we were closer to the lake but this was a fine spot. The ground was wet from the thunder storm the night before so we had muddy shoes that first day.
Maisy and Cassy were watered and tied down to the picnic table...couldn't let them loose! It was such a short tether that later Kent strung a longer run for them.
Out came the bubbles that Grandma Koke and Grandpa Wally sent the kids...were they ever a hit. Literally!
Annie blew many bubbles and they firmed up in the air and would stick to everything. We had fun with these and the tube didn't ever seem to run out!
It takes a lot of work to set up the camp; Kent seems to get stuck doing most of it but he does it very well!
The many faces of Brooke!
And the many faces of Oliver!
He is all boy...
These kids love, love, love books and stories.
Time to swim!!! Heading for the beach with buckets, floaties, and towels.
The water is quite warm. During the day they allow motorized watercraft on the lake until 7:00 p.m. With jet skis and boats towing all sorts of equipment it can get a bit wavy in the swimming area.
Last year we witnessed a man unloading his crawfish trap and Kent decided he needed one! So this year he brought one to the lake and set it using old fish from the freezer for bait. He used the canoe to paddle across the lake to a spot on the far shore to set the pot.
After a day of sun and water, the kids were ready for dinner...how about some of Grandpa John's smoked salmon that he left in Auntie Caitlin's freezer? The kids loved it!!
Auntie Caitlin thought she'd like to check out the sleeping spot between Brooke and Oliver. Brooke was a snuggly girl!
The sunset was amazing...before the storm that had us all scrambling!
The next morning dawned with clear skies and warm temperatures. Our last evening meal was one highlight of the trip. Crawfish!!
Kent set the pot the day we arrived but by the following day it seemed to have fewer inside. We needed more crawdads to feed us all so Kent donned his mask, snorkel, and flippers to dive the 12-15 feet after them. He spotted many lounging around and began to hand pick them! Luckily for us, Kent can hold his breath a long time and he is persistent!
Annie's photo collage below shows his flippers on a downward trip.
Kent had researched and planned his Louisiana Crawfish Boil and had all the ingredients ready for the big dinner. The plate above holds lemon, onion, garlic, and potato that is put into the boiling pot with seasonings. Then in went the cobs of corn and finally the crawfish that had been purging in the salted water.
This man rocks the boil!!
The weatherman predicted more thunder and lightening storms during the evening but he was incorrect! The skies were clear and full of stars! Annie read that there would be meteor showers and shooting stars so she and I stood out in the dark and watched the display...it was brilliant. She was able to see far more than I was; they were quick to streak by leaving a bright tail as if it were the 4th of July!
Kent started the camp stove outside and served French toast and thick sliced bacon to a hungry crowd.
Brooke loves hers with dipping sauce!
The dogs
Out came the heavier tent the second evening.
Some mornings you have to take out your special toys and get down to measuring...yes, Oliver loves measuring tapes (and all tools) and he was doing some measuring of the new books they bought.
This is the far end of the lake.
The park is part of a wildlife preserve and deer are a frequent sight in and out of the camp.
The big girls walked a little further while Grandma and Brooke headed back...Brooke is a strong hiker and loves to run the trails when heading back.
Here is Brooke running toward the camp.
The dogs lived in the camper back. Both hop up onto the tailgate and then up onto the shelf that houses their beds.
