Crater Lake

I love Crater Lake. Even though the skies were hazy thanks to some smoldering forest fires, the views were spectacular. Crater Lake has a blue that is singular to it.

I made everyone sit for the obligatory family shot. They were unimpressed because the sun was in their eyes.

We opted to take the trolley ride around the lake, where a park ranger told the history of the lake and how certain events changed the landscape. I'm all about sneaking educational tidbits into our vacations.


I'm not sure all the other people on the trolley were as enthusiastic about having us aboard. Excited kids who like to crack jokes aren't everyone's cup of tea. Luckily, the ranger was a former teacher, so he had the kids enthralled.

They even got to be the live-action demonstration of how a volcano blows up.

Gracie's attention span wasn't much for history, so she had fun finding the chalk in the gravel and hunting down dandelions. Luckily, there were lots of dandelions.

At The Cabin

With six people at the cabin, it's pretty close quarters. Luckily, Grace is always willing to help. She even helped Pop Pop style his hair.

The boys had a project while they were there - building a picnic table. They got to sign their name beneath the seats. You're reading that right. Bayley signed his Mr. Awesomeness.

The folks moved the Skittles game up there. It cracked me up to see the kids playing the spinning top game we used to play on the dining room table

One of the things the boys look forward to the most at the cabin is archery. Bayley spends hours on it every day. The target was shredded by the time they left.

There seems to be a certain time that fishing works. And apparently anyone who gets in the way of said fishing time, is ruining fishing. I think the boys have realized the truth about fishing. It's not called catching. However, it's a great way to sit around and relax.

The boys were sure to show off their expert bacon making skills. I crack up every time I realize Boy Scouts has prepared my boys to make breakfast more than anything else.

Gracie loved it so much, she can't wait to go back.

Getting to The Cabin

The boys spent a week at the cabin last year and raved about it. Now that Grace turned five, she gets in on the week with Grammo & PopPop. The kids and I took the scenic drive to the cabin, stopping to spot waterfalls along the way.

I was excited to see the trails, Bayley was over it after our second stop. He wanted to get to the cabin. Now. Right now. There was a storm on the way and he wanted to fish before it started to rain.

I was fine with ignoring him. Though once I had to drive in the rain, I had to listen to how right he'd been. But I'm still glad we stopped and explored. It really broke up the trip.

We got there in the rain, and rushed inside. Bayley was so happy to finally get there. Hayden headed up the ladder to check out the sleeping loft. Grace was more interested in Pop Pop than the cabin. That's to be expected, I suppose.