Indian Summer is now officially over...

Our wonderful nephew Austin, his lovely wife Hailey, and their adorable daughter Olivia came up to the cabin for a fall visit this past weekend.  Upon their arrival, he cooked the most delicious meal of fajitas for his mother (my sister Lorraine) and I.

The next day after breakfast...

we walked to the bridge, where we watched the ducks and fish under the bridge, 

and saw a lone moose grazing in the water.  

Then we floated the river in peace and quiet.  We were almost the only people on the river that day.  

I was so happy to introduce them to my 'happy place'.  Even more satisfying for me was seeing how much they loved and appreciated it as well.  

We saw another large cow calf pair enjoying the lovely weather.  And the weather was absolutely amazing!

Can you see the moose in the background between Hailey and Austin?

 

The next morning we woke to a drizzling rain.  I guess we saw the last of the Indian summer.  We tidied up and went home.  It was great to have my sister and her family there for the last hurrah of summer. 

My happy place....  

Nonni and Nipote

Welcome Scouts!

The scouts from our home ward came to Island Park for their high adventure this year.  While they did not stay with us, we were able to support them a bit. They floated the river twice,

fished,

went into YNP, and ....

enjoyed cooking by their leaders Brad and Todd.

Visit from Brynne's family and a new road at the boat launch!

Brynne, Ivy, Spencer, and Livy, our neighbors from home, were up visiting their family and wanted to float the river.

Ivy is the one in the pink chair.  She was pulled along by one of the kayaks.  There was some question as to whether they would make it under the bridge okay, but as you can see they did.

On our way out of the boat launch we were thrilled to see that the road has been repaired!

I wish I had taken a picture of it last year.  It had worn down badly and had huge potholes that were two feet deep.  A car could lose a bumper on that short piece of road.  The truck and trailer had an awful time negotiating the holes.

There are even drainage pipes under the road.

Chad Bauer, owner of Mack's Inn got some volunteer help to rebuild the road and they just finished yesterday.

 What a great thing for everyone! Thank you, Chad!

Canoeing on Wade Lake

Today we decided to find Wade Lake.  Scot and Kris went there last week and said it was beautiful with clear, deep blue water terrific for kayaks.  When we woke up it was raining, though.  As the day progressed it cleared off so we left about 2:00 pm with one canoe on the truck.

As we got off the highway and onto the dirt road, the skies were threatening.  And then it rained.




After about an hour's drive, we found the lake. It was lovely even from far off.  The rain was lifting and so were our hopes of getting on the water.

Wade Lake from the dirt road

The water in front of Mother's Beach

 As we drove into the boat launch area, the rain stopped, and off we went.

 

Boat Launch

 

We found the water just as described, clear, deep, blue, with many fish and ducks.  There was a fish ladder at the south end along with some springs.

Fish Ladder

Springs

 There were two duck families with several ducklings in tow. 

We saw a group of cormorants drying their wings, or something, as they stood like statues on the fallen trees.

The campground had three campsites right on the water, which would be perfect for taking the family to for the day.  The beach was not sand but small gravel.  The water was shallow near the shore but rocky in some places, so water shoes would be needed.

Two of the closest three campsites to the water.

There was even a sort of 'mother's beach' a little further beyond the boat launch nearer the picnic sites that would be perfect for kids in kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, with room for camp chairs on the sandy shore.

Mother's beach area

 Campground fees are enforced if you use one of the campsites even for the day, but prices were reasonable.

Wade Lake Resort from the water

Water craft for rent at Wade Lake Resort

 There was even a resort there with at least four well maintained cabins and water craft for rent.  Fishing is permitted on all but one small section of the lake at the south end where the fish ladder is.  We did not explore the north end, as the skies were again threatening and spitting.

We will bring families back here with children who are elementary school aged and up.  Canoes and kayaks for sure.  Everyone will need water shoes and life jackets.  A lunch and camp chairs are a must.

We arrived back at the cabin at 6:00 pm.  Not bad for an afternoon of exploring.