Alturas Lake

We just got back yesterday from our annual tradition of staying at the cabins by Alturas Lake with our friends, the Alberdi's. The Stanley basin was particularly beautiful this year because of all the rain and cooler weather we've had this summer. The wildflowers were out in abundance and there was still patches of snow in the ridges of the Sawtooth mountains. Sigh.... I just love beautiful places!

I have to share a funny snippet of conversation I overheard on the drive to the cabin. Reagan and Heidi were discussing death- don't ask me how they got on that topic.

Heidi: Well, when people get old they die.......
Reagan: Yah, like Dad when he turns 38.... (oh dear Joel, only 2 years left!!)
Heidi: You can die in a car crash too...
Reagan: Or when a nail pokes you!

I was trying so hard not to laugh. I still feel like a relatively young parent, but now I realize in the eyes of my 5 year old, I am only 4 years away from dying of old age! :-)

Here are some pictures of our time at the lake: Taylor singing a lakeside ballad.....
The kids playing in a tiny inlet to the lake..
Heidi enjoying herself....
Tom Shaw and the kids burying Taylor in sand. It was so fun to have the Shaws up there too!
Our tradition is to take a picture of everyone in front of the cabins the day we leave, but the picture turned out too dark. So here's a better one taken at Galena summit as we were leaving the valley.