ross lake part 2 (july 2016)

We had so much fun last summer heading out to Ross Lake with our new inflatable boat and our awesome family friends, that we decided to do it again this year. In fact, I'm guessing this is an ongoing tradition:).

Packing for the trip was a bit insane--taking a family of 6 (joseph stayed behind with my sister again) to a remote camping spot that can only be accessed by boat is a little tricky. You can't take too much because it all has to fit in the boat, but you can't forget anything either. We also had some challenges getting the motor ready. Who knew you had to winterize the thing after the previous season;)!?!

Somehow, though, everything eventually fell in to place, and we were on our way to the Canadian border. Or just about anyway. First we had to stop in Sedro-Woolley, WA for our backcountry permit.

We had a little time before the Information Center opened, and were lucky enough to find a great little breakfast gem--Billy's Cafe in Burlington, WA. The kids' cinnamon roll and chocolate chip pancakes were huge and delicious!! Kevin and I had omelets which were also really good.

After breakfast, we successfully got our permits and continued on for a uneventful border crossing (the best kind, right), and then a couple more hours on the road and what do you know, it was time to eat again;).

As good as Billy's was, for this meal we were even more excited because we got to eat at a Chopped Leaf (http://www.choppedleaf.ca)--the same restaurant we're in the process of opening down in our neck of the woods. Since I have only ever gotten to eat at one once before, I was pretty thrilled to see the store up close and try out more of the menu--which was fresh and delicious!

And then after a quick stop at the grocery store to purchase all the foods we couldn't bring across the border, we were ready to launch the boat (well, after unloading the trailer and van, changing into water shoes, and assembling/inflating the boat).

Soon we were out on this amazing lake!

And then the real excitement began. Our friends arrived right around the same time we did, and we wasted no time getting camp set up and enjoying all that Ross Lake has to offer.

Like fishing ...

Can you tell what's weird about Mae's picture in the upper-right-hand corner?:) She was pretty grossed out at first by the idea of touching the fish, so James got behind her and held it for her while she tucked her hand behind her back. Yep, that's James' arm. You can see him back there if you look closely, but it almost looks like he's just walking by or something. Good brother!

And more fishing!! Good size fish too!

Which means we got to eat lots of yummy fish!

Which we all enjoyed:).

And then there was just lots of time hanging around camp!

Having fun.

Playing games.

Relaxing in hammocks.

Getting bit by little water/wood bugs was not so fun.

One morning I begged Kevin to take me on an early hike to Desolation Peak (http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/desolation-peak). It was tough to persuade him, but he finally gave in;). We set off while everyone else was still in bed. And hustled up the trail as quick as we could, so we could be back shortly after breakfast.

At the top of he peak, was the forest lookout station. The bottom picture shows our own campground (Little Beaver) pretty far below.

The lookout ranger was kind enough to show us around a bit tell us a little about what he does.

It was really cool to check it all out.

After a few minutes at the top, it was time to hustle back down. In fact the trip down was really quite painful for that exact reason. I think we jogged most of the way, and everything hurt by the time we were back to the boat (and for the rest of the week at camp).