Cottonwood!

We finally made a trip to our beloved Cottonwood! It was a lot of fun! It was so nice to get away from everything just for a few days...cell phones, computers, tv's, movies--everything! Nature really does have a healing power.

Sarah really enjoyed herself as well. She went on her first boat ride!! I was driving the boat and fishing at the same time, so Nana took it upon herself to hold Sarah while my hands were occupied. Sarah, obviously, couldn't be in better hands!

Abby also had a great time, even though Liz could only stay for a part of the trip. Her little Aden is due any day now and pretty soon Abby will have a little brother to take care of. We were all really glad Liz didn't go into labor while we were there, talk about what a story that would have made!!

Sarah also took her first 4-wheel ride with Daddy. Look how cute they are!! Sarah enjoyed the short ride her and Jordan went on.

Everything is so green this year! The winter was wet and long, something everyone needed. The mountains were beautiful this year, as you can see, and we saw several animals.

We saw a lot of deer come to the salt lick. One morning there was even a bull moose who came out of the willows for some salt! I saw an otter, or a mink, in the lake as well. It had the cutest face!! No beavers this year though, perhaps next year. We seem to see beavers about once every four years or so.

The fishing was great this year. I caught 9 fish in one day! And that was all in the evening as well. Of course I catched-and-released. The fish are still growing, so we didn't catch any really 'nice' ones. Not to mention, is almost spawning time and we always need more fish in the lake for next year.

We also enjoyed a hike to Slide Lake (or what we call Dead Lake) this year. It was full and beautiful as you can see. The hike was gorgeous as well!

We had a wonderful trip and I am sad it is over...as usual. I hope I am able to go again this year before the snow comes, but we'll see. I am planning on going on the deer hunt this October, so I might not be able to make it up to Cottonwood before then. But, there is always next year! I look forward to this trip year after year.

How was your July 4th?