We have been talking about our next camping trip for months and have been told by EVERYONE that Bear Lake is a must so we decided we would do ourselves a favor and camp in the "Caribbean of the Rockies".
The verdict? We have got to stop listening to people.
Before we went I did extensive research. I spoke to countless individuals, read blog posts, called the park rangers, and looked at aerial views of the area. So imagine our surprise when we show up to what was supposed to be paradise and instead see a parched, flat field with little to no grass and no shade that in NO way reflects how the campsite was presented. Another family arrived at the same time we did and they had a similar reaction and even said to Steve, "Not quite as advertised, is it?"
There is no pic of this moment, but see the yellow floating trampolines? They were a long way from shore. I had taken D and C out for a spin and when were near them D asked if he could try jumping off the kayak and getting back on and I said yes. Unfortunately, D could not get back on and began to struggle even though he had a life jacket on. Because I had C I couldn't help him up and I couldn't get the leverage I needed to row us to shore with him holding on the side of the kayak. Thankfully Bear Lake is shallow and I was able to signal to M and J to rescue us. The water was up to their necks, but between all of us we were able to make it back to shore.
Here's the thing...it's all about expectations. If we had been expecting a barren field next to a bathroom that was cleaned at midnight, cloudy lake water, with chilly temperatures and no way to buy firewood, we would have been happy as larks. And that is why I should do less research and just take camping as it comes. We all agreed we would be willing to try it again, but with MUCH lower expectations. That said...the kids had a blast and that's why we are camping. This labor of love is for them.
The verdict? We have got to stop listening to people.
Before we went I did extensive research. I spoke to countless individuals, read blog posts, called the park rangers, and looked at aerial views of the area. So imagine our surprise when we show up to what was supposed to be paradise and instead see a parched, flat field with little to no grass and no shade that in NO way reflects how the campsite was presented. Another family arrived at the same time we did and they had a similar reaction and even said to Steve, "Not quite as advertised, is it?"
The picture from this angle is deceptive and probably reflects how
the rangers took their pics of the area to entice city slickers like us.
Still the kids were excited and ready for an adventure.
Our first view of Bear Lake. We came from the Wyoming side with no view of the lake.
In hindsight the Logan way, though longer, would have been a better direction because we would have seen the gorgeous blue water and been brimming with anticipation .
Upon check in we were told we could buy firewood from the camp host. Unfortunately the camp host was gone and his wife was not sure when he would be back. And no, she could not let us take some from the large pile right beside her and pay in the morning.
So we found a giant hardwood log that refused to catch fire, but smoked to high heaven.
47 degrees felt mighty cold that night.
Something else that should be mentioned: When my Sister found out we were going camping she asked the kids if they knew about Big Foot. They did not so she proceeded to educate them on all things Big Foot complete with folklore, pictures, and internet conspiracy videos. She rounded out the education by also mentioning the Loch Ness monster since people say she visits Bear Lake. This proved problematic as the children's imaginations ran wild and an hour before we got to Bear Lake some of them began to be exceedingly fearful. Many were the tears that flowed as night rolled in and the tales of a hairy, mythical beast loomed large. The legends of Big Foot and Nessie dominated our camping trip. I would ask that NO ONE, EVER AGAIN teach my children about things that will never go bump in the night.
Something else that should be mentioned: When my Sister found out we were going camping she asked the kids if they knew about Big Foot. They did not so she proceeded to educate them on all things Big Foot complete with folklore, pictures, and internet conspiracy videos. She rounded out the education by also mentioning the Loch Ness monster since people say she visits Bear Lake. This proved problematic as the children's imaginations ran wild and an hour before we got to Bear Lake some of them began to be exceedingly fearful. Many were the tears that flowed as night rolled in and the tales of a hairy, mythical beast loomed large. The legends of Big Foot and Nessie dominated our camping trip. I would ask that NO ONE, EVER AGAIN teach my children about things that will never go bump in the night.
Hot chocolate warmed us in the morning.
It was a very breezy day with a high of 78 degrees. While Steve and I shivered and tried to stay warm, the kids played in the sand and water all day and only occasionally remarked on the nip in the air. We ended up near a rental location that was busy the entire day. We watched as a huge diesel tractor rolled in and out of the water filling the air with its filthy belching as it guided boats into the depths. Equally distressing was the long gasoline hose that lay in the water near the jet skis. Not surprising the water was murky.
J and D thought it would be fun to be buried in sand. M and C were happy to oblige.
Merman.
We rented kayaks for several hours and the kids went nuts.
There is no pic of this moment, but see the yellow floating trampolines? They were a long way from shore. I had taken D and C out for a spin and when were near them D asked if he could try jumping off the kayak and getting back on and I said yes. Unfortunately, D could not get back on and began to struggle even though he had a life jacket on. Because I had C I couldn't help him up and I couldn't get the leverage I needed to row us to shore with him holding on the side of the kayak. Thankfully Bear Lake is shallow and I was able to signal to M and J to rescue us. The water was up to their necks, but between all of us we were able to make it back to shore.
M will give fake smiles for the camera, but she lets the real one out when we call her on it.
Kissy face.
Smiling hummus and cucumbers.
We were able to get firewood for our second night and out came the s'mores.
D loved using his zapping fly swatter.
Fun fact: the bathrooms pictured in the background are cleaned at midnight and no care is taken to do so quietly. However, the silver lining is that they are quite clean.
Even though it got down to 48 degrees, it was toasty around the fire.
C looked like a sleeping angel.
J and D were ready to take the day by storm.
C loves to snuggle when he finally wakes up.
The boys were not to be outdone.
M is not pictured because she was burrowed near the foot of her sleeping bag.
We found a lovely spot with clear water near our campsite. I wish we had found it the day before. It would have significantly improved our Bear Lake experience.
The kids found shells.
J used his googles to locate shells under the water.
This hottie was furious with me because I made him blow up the water island canopy that my sister gave the kids. He did not appreciate blowing it up when we were going to leave in three hours.
Still, he did it and the kids thought it was awesome.
Lunch before leaving.
On our way home we stopped at La Beau's for some shakes.
M got blackberry.
J got a caramel shake.
D got cookies and cream.
J got orange.
And Steve and I got raspberry. Because when in Cache County...
Here's the thing...it's all about expectations. If we had been expecting a barren field next to a bathroom that was cleaned at midnight, cloudy lake water, with chilly temperatures and no way to buy firewood, we would have been happy as larks. And that is why I should do less research and just take camping as it comes. We all agreed we would be willing to try it again, but with MUCH lower expectations. That said...the kids had a blast and that's why we are camping. This labor of love is for them.
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