Camping at Eklutna Lake

On Friday morning we drove down to Eklutna Lake to go camping. We had only been there once (for our family pictures last week) and loved it so much we wanted to come back. So we did, and we had a great time :). It was fun to play in the water, explore the area, and most of all be together. I like how there are no distractions. We are all out there with nothing to do but spend time together. The kids have so much freedom to be dirty and play around, like kids should do. It was a gorgeous area, as you'll see. But I have never been in a place where there are SOO many mosquitoes! It was extremely annoying. We were constantly re-applying bug dope, but we all came away with a few more bites. There's a cute little ice cream shop (Rochelle's Ice Cream) a mile down the road and we went and got some chocolate ice cream after dinner. That was a special treat for the kids.

 

There were a few incidents... like when we were cooking dinner on our propane camp stove and I realized the beach towels, that we didn't notice were right behind it, had caught on fire! And also when Brynlee put the end of a stick in the fire, and then went and stuck it in a pile of dry leaves and started a small fire in the forest...yes we have to constantly be on guard when camping with small children. It is exhausting! I told Kenny if we just wait 7 years, maybe we'll all be able to enjoy it. :) But the sleeping situation was a little better than last time. We just had the 3 girls sleep in the van, which worked out a lot better. Other than the fact that I forgot Madi's pull-up and she peed in her sleeping bag and on the car floor. But we all came out alive and with some good experiences to remember and learn from, so that's what matters I suppose. We took a lot of pictures again, but good heavens it's so beautiful there can you blame us?!

 

We walked around the lake for a while, not all the way around because it's 7 miles long and 1 mile wide. But the kids love to take turns being "the leader" on our walks, and usually sing the song from Peter Pan.

 



They would spend hours just throwing in rocks (and logs) into the water. They never tire of it.



 

Notice the can of bear spray right by Kelsey. Thankfully we didn't have to use it, but I always bring it with us!

Daddy's really good at skipping rocks. Hang on, Kels!

Yes, we eventually did let Kelsey out of the carrier...and no matter how many times I tell Brynlee not to get in the water, she just can't help herself!

Tyler was dubbed "Keeper of the Flame" and took his job of tending to the fire very seriously, as usual. We've learned that if he doesn't have a specific responsibility or task at hand, he'll spend the whole day teasing his sisters :). He loved finding sticks, leaves, and rummaging through our trash to burn whatever he could. Then he'd burn the end of his stick and draw on the pavement with it. Needless to say, he really likes fire.

This whole lake is glacier run-off, and it is FREEZING. The kids really couldn't be in it for more than a few seconds because it started to really hurt their feet. But of course, that doesn't stop them like it does me! But they would throw rocks in to try and splash dad, and he would in turn spray water at them as they tried to run away :)

 

Kenny thinks my face "the morning after" sums up my feelings about camping pretty well :)