Lake Diablo Camping and Kayaking

Every summer it is fun to try to do a campout with my mom and aunts and uncles. This year our spur-of-the-moment trip led us to Lake Diablo, the incredibly turquoise blue lake off of the North Cascades Highway. We left after dinner on Monday figuring we'd be after traffic (we mostly were) and we'd easily find a camp spot on a Monday night (not even close). We arrived at our chosen campsite at 9:30 (road construction delays) and everything was full. We circled a few times just to make sure - they other campground took reservations and many spots were unoccupied but "reserved," which was incredibly frustrating. We had to double back almost 20 minutes before we found a single last spot (the handicap campsite which is open to anyone after 8:00 pm) and didn't get into the tent until 10:30. Good grief! Lesson learned - arrive early in the morning as campers are leaving to get a spot in a "first come" campground in a national park! At least Reed handled the drive well...

 

After getting up early on Tuesday morning to break camp, we were able to secure this lovely campsite at our desired campground just as the group who'd been here before was pulling out. Phew! We brought the kids' bikes this time and they LOVED having them - they probably road about 100 laps around the campground loop. That was really cool!

 We set up camp and then drove another 30 minutes east to the Lake Ann trailhead for a 4 mile (told the kids it was shorter than that so they wouldn't complain) hike to Lake Ann and back. The hike really was do-able for them, especially since they didn't have big backpacks. The wildflowers in the meadows were incredible.

 We had lunch at the lake next to a couple who was touring the national parks of our country by RV about 1/8 of the country per summer and then leaving the RV in a spot for the winter. It was a cool plan and I'm intrigued by it. The kids, meanwhile, just enjoyed their peanut butter sandwiches and watching the cut throat trout jump.

 Ah - beautiful alpine scenery everywhere you look!

 We journeyed a few more miles east to Washington Pass and awe inspiring views of the mountains and valleys that converge here.

 Finally, back at the site for a late afternoon swim in Lake Diablo and Nana's arrival.

 Stream engineering is always interesting.

 I got up early Wednesday morning and hiked Thunder Knob, whose trailhead went right behind our site. I loved the views of the lake and being able to see small boats on the water below and glacier-covered mountains up above.

 Plus, chipmunks do make great company at the top.

 

Floyd and Kathie joined us for lunch and a big kayak expedition to the southern end of Lake Diablo. We launched from just behind our campsite, went under the Highway 20 bridge, and to the creek at the end of the lake.

 The sand and silt deposits from the creek in the delta made for good exploring.

 The intrepid kayakers and their craft....

 Floyd and Kathie had to head back that night, but we were able to stay one more night. On Thursday morning, after packing up camp, we checked out a viewpoint of the lake off the highway (way better view than from my hike - oh well!).

 

We also did a little hike to Happy Creek which was a cool oasis on a very hot morning (90 degrees in the mountains before noon).

 The boys stayed with Nana in the shade while Charlotte and I forged our way all the way down to the Ross Lake Dam.

 The outflow of this dam goes into Lake Diablo. There are three dams on this section of the Skagit River and they provide a lot of hydro-power for Seattle.

 We didn't see any bears on our trip, but did come across this one in the visitor center on our way out. It was a great camping trip and the kids loved spending the time with Nana and sleeping in her camper!

AUGUST - Blue Angels and Tracy's Birthday

One of Eben's favorite weekends on the boat is SeaFair weekend where we get to watch the airshow Friday through Monday. He went out all three days and the kids and I joined him for the weekend - on Saturday with his friends from work Jed, Joey and their three boys - and on Sunday with the Adams family. It is quite a scene with so many boats heading down towards I-90 to watch the airshow. You can see how the wake is crazy going under 520.

 

There are boats and boats and boats all floating around, fending off each other, having water balloon fights, playing music, you name it. The kids had fun scavenging for floating water balloons.

 

The jets are thrilling and the sound of them passing directly overhead and so close to the lake is intense and exhilarating.

The kids watched it from the tube with Tennyson.

  

 This is how close they fly to the boats.

 On Saturday night we celebrated Tracy's 40th Birthday with a Pool Party at her house. Jeremy and friends had done a ton of work to pull it off and everything looked as beautiful as the lovely Tracy, herself.

 We enjoyed drinks on the patio, food in the cabana, and even a late night dip in the pool.

 

On Sunday we headed back out to SeaFair with Chris and Meg. I forgot my camera, so these photos are credit: Meg.

 

Around Town

Edison has really enjoying his tennis lessons this summer. Here are a few of his moves on the court.

 

 

Charlotte has been giving it a great effort, too. 

 

 

My lilies were incredible this year! Bigger than Reed!

  

Actually, all the flowers were tremendous this year - that must be what regular watering does!

 We visited Sara and Josie McManus this week on the eve of the arrival of their new baby. Reed looks like a giant compared to the sweetie pie Josie.

 And we made the annual Ikea summer run to set up a home office / guest room / storage area in what had used to be Reed's room. Good thing Eben bought the Tahoe!

Jetty Island Day

We missed Meg for this one, but still managed to make a fun afternoon of our time at Jetty Island with the Adams family.

 Matt and Lisa even stopped by on their way back in from fishing. It was so, so great to see Lisa and Matt again!!!

 

More Swimming

We had a great end to the swim season this year. Edison and Charlotte both kept swimming really well. Charlotte is awesome at the breaststroke while Edison specializes in backstroke.

 

 

After the last home meet of the year, the 12 and under kids had a big sleep over in the clubhouse. They stayed up late swimming and watching movies. We could hear them at our house chanting "belly flop" at 11 at night when they were still playing in the pool. Needless to say they slept a lot the next day.

 We did some tubing on Lake Washington, too. The kids' new technique, to make it more exciting, is to hang off the tube on the front to try to submarine it and fall off.

 

Eben and I  participated in the swim league's adult summer swim meet. It was really fun to do our first swim meet together, though we had to keep reminding ourselves we weren't 18 anymore!

 I did 50 Back, 50 Free, and two relays.

 Eben did two relays, 25 Back and 100 IM.

 Aqua Club won the meet! This is us with our coach, Mike.

 Charlotte and Chloe had a lot of fun twinning this year at swim practice. They had one last occasion to do so at northern prelims.

 This was Edison helping out with the Aqua Club pre-meet cheer at boys northern prelims.

 

The kids have also gotten a lot of dive practice in this summer. Even Reed is getting in the spirit, but he couldn't quite decide what kind of a landing he wanted and ended up doing a face flop.

 

 

Here is Edison's flip:

 

And Charlotte's flip: