Bear Lake 2022

 On August 11, we took our end-of-summer trip to Bear Lake.  We went to the East Beach again this year.  The weather was wonderful!  It was warm but overcast most of the day, so it didn't get too hot.  Right after Skyler and Jessalyn went home, the wind picked up and blew in a storm, so we packed up and left also.  We enjoyed many wonderful hours on the beach and in our new kayak.

Emerald has enjoyed many happy times kayaking at camps and conferences and other events, so we decided to buy our own kayak for our Bear Lake trip.  The best deal that Scott and Emerald found Thursday morning after scouring every store in town was a two-seater blow-up kayak at Costco.  Here are all the boys and Emerald unpacking the new kayak:

Scott, Dallin, Joel, Emerald, and Alexander setting up the kayak.  (Emerald is behind Joel.)

Here they are, about to embark on the maiden voyage:

Dallin, Joel, and Emerald

A very cute family caravanned to the East Beach with us.  They headed straight out to the shore:

Rayden, Skyler, and Jessalyn

Here are a couple of views from the East Beach of everyone enjoying the lake:

Later on, Skyler, Jessalyn, and Joel built an elaborate sand castle.  Rayden "helped"

Rayden's helping most often looked like contemplating how soon he could break down the castle without getting in trouble:

Jessalyn managed to deter him long enough for them to finish the walls and add some shell decorations, but I think he still really wants to crash it down:

Joel's photos are the best.  Here is one that he took of Rayden in the castle:

Rayden really loved riding in the kayak.  He always looked very pleased to be paddled around with the big people:

Photo by Joel

Here are Dallin and Emerald paddling the kayak.  If you zoom in, you can see Rayden's hat in between them.  Jessalyn is watching:

Photo by Joel

Rayden and Jessalyn buried Skyler:

Photos by Joel

Skyler, Joel, and some of the others made sand sculptures:

This was one of their favorite activities - Joel and the younger kids dug a deep hole, then put Joel's phone in the bottom of it.  They thought it was hilarious!!

Joel caught the moody light of the clouds reflected on the lake:

Toward the end of the day, Scott went out on the kayak with Joel and Rayden. Here is one of our last voyages for the day.  Farewell summer!  We will miss you so much until we meet again!