Bear Lake ... about time!

Honestly, we are still in shock that we didn't get up to the cabin this year until the last week of June. We usually go up around memorial day, but this year there was just too much going on. School got out, then swimming lessons, tumbling, and basketball camp happened. But we finally made it and it was good timing. The weather at Bear Lake was about 10-15 degrees cooler than in Salt Lake. And with Salt Lake having a major heat wave of 100+ degree temps. We were glad to get away.

We spent lots of time lounging on the beach, reading, hiking up to Bloomington Lake and up into Tony's Grove, and getting eaten alive by the enormous mosquitos - oh wait, that last one wasn't so much fun. 

Beach Buddies:

 

 

Hiking up to Bloomington Lake: 

Bloomington Lake is a glacier lake and as you can see there was still snow up there. Though it was warm outside the water was still very cold. I love this hike because you are rewarded with lots of lakes & ponds. This is the lower lake. It is pretty shallow but great for floating on a raft or wading onto.

Heading up to the big lake. This is the pond overflow from the big lake.

Bloomington lake is behind the kids. It is so clean and clear. Love it.

 

  

 

 The kids waded into the big lake and despite the cold water, slowly shed layers of clothing until we ended up with this ... Yep, that's how we roll when we don't bring along the swimsuit. Old-school ghetto!

Finley doing a dance, "Moonrise Kingdom" style. 

 

The next day we headed up to Tony's grove. Despite there being a ton of other people (it was the busiest I have ever seen it) we had a good time. Usually we just take the nature hike around the lake, but this time we took the kids up towards the Alpine Lake trail. When they get a bit older (meaning: when Berlin can carry a pack that is twice her size), we are going to hike the 4 miles up and camp overnight. We saw a couple families coming down after having done this very thing and they said it's a wonderful place to get kids used to packing in their own gear/food, rather than just car camping.

My stylish little hiker:

 

   

This time we remembered to wear swimsuits under our clothes. They couldn't wait to jump in after the long, HOT, hike. Unfortunately, down by the water there were a TON of mosquitos and flies. My left ankle had over 7 bites in a 3-inch area that swelled up horribly the next day. Yuck.

 

Berlin took this picture before heading out.

Life is good. So glad we finally made it up.