Friday, August 21, 2009

day at the lake

We had been planning on going hiking today, but it has been so hot lately that I was a little concerned about the girls being out all day in such heat. I'm sure Chloe would have been fine, but I could just see Chessa's red hot face already. So we decided we should spend the day by the lake instead.

We started on one side of the lake where the path is so we could walk for a while.

Then we came to the spot where the girls and I went a couple weeks ago. They wanted to show daddy.

We thought it might be a good swimming spot but there was a lot of wind and waves, with the water getting deep pretty quickly. So we eventually moved on to the other side of the lake.

This is a very big lake! We found a nice area were we could lay out our blanket in the shade of the pine trees with a sandy beach and the waters edge just below.

The girls got to spend hours playing in the water, which was just what we wanted for them!

By the way, this happens to be a very, very extra special lake. You see, we used to live by this lake. Not 15 minutes away like we do now, but way towards the back of the lake, on the side of the mountain, in a small A-frame cabin. And that is the house where our dear Chloe Anne was born more than 9 years ago! But the house is not there anymore. There was a huge fire here in 2002, it burned for several weeks, it burned more than 70,000 acres! And it burned down that cabin. Fortunately we had just moved out the month before! Some other neighbors lost their homes too, but our friend next door was fortunate to have been spared. So we still go up and visit, and look out at the place where Chloe was born. There are still the aspens, and the yarrow, and the little blue flax flowers that we always said good morning to. "Good morning beautiful little blue flax flowers", every day when we walked outside...

9 comments:

sarah said...

what a powerful story at the end of this post. I'm sorry for the loss of your former home. But what a beautiful place, with beautiful memories.

princess pin said...

i love the two bonnet girls together!

Heather said...

What a gorgeous post. The lake looks like a wonderful respite from the heat. We live in a mountain area that has little water, except for small lakes and rivers, so I can understand the pull to a crisp, clean lake, rather than a scorching hike.

Your family looks content and happy, and I wish that for you for the coming week ahead :)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story!
I just had a visit at your shop! It is lovely there : )

Cadi said...

The pictures are so lovely. Wow. What beauty!

Stacy said...

Sounds like a lovely day at the lake. I had to look at your profile again to see where you live when I saw the pictures of the lake because it looks like one near me in Northern California! Your girls look so sweet in their bonnets.

Lisa said...

Wow, what a beautiful place to have to yourself. I am so sorry about the loss of your former home, but am so glad you moved before the fire.

Lisa :)

eesh said...

Lovely post and what a beautiful place to call home. I just found your blog. It's so refreshing!

Kelly said...

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. What an incredible place to enjoy.