Trial Lake

For those of you who are unaware my dad recently had a midlife crisis. The crisis consisted of buying a huge truck and amassing large quantities of camping gear. One might think this was a relatively mild crisis, but what does one do with a huge truck and tons of camping gear . . . go camping! Where does one go with all of the said gear? For those of you who guessed a KOA (a girl could only dream) you are incorrect. When you have the newest and trendiest camping gear and an ozone depleting truck you go up 10,000 feet into the mountain near Mirror Lake to a place called Trial Lake. All I can say is this place could not be more appropriately named.

The women in my family are not what you would call campers. The word camping inspires images of the Motel 6 and so forth, but in order to support my dad is his "life" change the family went on a Labor Day camping trip. Unfortunately, when you are up this high in the mountains in September it rains a lot, in fact, you are lucky if it doesn't start to snow. Well I guess we can count ourselves lucky because it didn't snow, but it did rain everyday in torrential down pours interspersed with moments of dryness. Here are a few shots of the blessed occasion.
This is the reaction I got when I said to pose for a picture. Look how cute they are.

This is how they really felt.

Matt's thoughts--Me macho man. Do not take picture.

Spencer's thoughts--Me nine year old boy, try to catch me and take my picture. Just so we are clear I can't catch him.

My thoughts--dorky dad, after shower while camping. One of my dad's favorite purchases was a shower. Note the green tent in the corner of the picture (that's the shower folks). You know if you go to a Motel 6 the shower is included. Anyway, that is besides the point he bought the shower, used it and loved it. The rest of us thought is was too cold to venture into the shower.

Mmmm Oreos. At least these can still taste good wet.

Say cheese.

Here is our homage to the fire god. I think the tepee is a tad bit small, but not to worry folks somebody(Devin) got the fire going well. Despite all the ups and downs we had a good adventure and we can chalk this up to another memorable family vacation.