The pool at forest meadows

It was seriously hot when we were up in forest meadows and the pool was a big hit!

They have this great kiddie pool that is only 1.5 feet and the boys loved it...
well, I loved it.  They did want to go in the big 9 foot pool, but Jack can only doggy paddle for 2 feet and Luke can not swim at all.

So when they want to go in the big pool, it is all about making sure that they do not drown...so the grown ups get no swimming in.

But the boys love "swimming".

 

picture overload of lake alpine

We (Loren) had hoped to get an early start this morning as it does take an hour to get here...but we didn't so well  as it was closer to 11 when we arrived.  Surprisingly not all that crowded...the crowds arrived after we did!

It is a beautiful lake and we found these great rocks-boulders to fish on while the boys had plenty of room to play in the water. Loren did the most of the fishing while I watched the boys.

Under my careful watch... no one drowned!  Yeah!

It  really is a deep lake and I was amazed how many people swam long distances on it!
Once again, I wished that I had my swim suit!

But the boys loved playing in the water.

Jack was actually the more timid guy, once Luke got out there.

Jack kept asking him to help him get around.
Note for next year is to get water shoes...would have make a world of difference, i think!

 

Lake Alpine, CA

I interrupt my telling of our last vacation...to update you all with our 2nd vacation that we are currently on!

I went back to work for 2 weeks and then took one last week off to celebrate our 7th anniversary.
So we packed up the car and headed to Murphy's at Auntie Kate and Uncle Bill's house.
Bill and Kate were were for 2 days, but just left this morning.
We are here till Wednesday, when we drive back to my mom's and drop the boys off with them for 2 kid free nights! SF here we come!

Anyway...today we headed out to lake Alpine which is a beautiful area.
And today...after swimming for quite some time, Luke fished...and he caught his first trout!

Here he is making his best fishy face!

 

Needless to say, we were all super excited, especially Luke!

 

Camp fire

The boys are fascinated by fire!
Poke, poke!

and we make some mighty good smores!
My favorite was with Mr Goodbar!

 

Fishing or swimming?

Or monkeying around?

We spent the day at twin lakes in Oregon
not to be confused at all by twin lakes beach in Santa Cruz!

Poor Loren, so desperately wants to fish...

But, the call of the water beckons  the boys in...

So bye-bye fish!
This was a really neat area that filled up fast with what looked to be locals and campers alike.
We definitely plan on going back with more time and picnic supplies
(and maybe some ant killer because this place had some of the largest ants I have ever seen!)

 

WW: me, my boys and lots of rocks!

One serious rock fest under partly cloudy skies...

Apparently, I'll always have a thing for "rock" guys!

 

 

 

 

The obsidian trail

It was super cold this day, and i almost sat in the car instead of going on the hike.
I am so glad that I went because it was a highlight of the trip for me!

It is a  hike also on the Newberry Monument, and the obsidian trail is amazing

A one mile hike thru the lava flow.

It was cold, beautiful and just amazing what a volcano can do!

Jack loved picking up the rocks and having  me take a picture of him with it...

and then they enjoyed throwing the rocks into rock holes on the trail...

Some of the rocks are super sharp so you can really tell how the Indians must have loved them.