Banks Lake

As a family, we haven't been camping in several years. And even then we hadn't been tent camping as a family ever.

We were invited to join another family at Banks Lake for a long weekend in September. We gathered up supplies, kind of just winging it as we went. Loaded up the car and set off in a small caravan to the other side of the mountains.

Test one was setting up a borrowed tent in the dark by flashlight. I think we did pretty well and it was still standing in morning so I judged it a success.

We all had fun cooking, hanging out and doing lots of activities. The family we went with camps often and was able to give suggestions. They also provided most of the entertainment.

We travelled the lake by boat, inner tubed and the big kids played on the jet skis. B and E had just completed testing for and obtained their boating licenses. Anique joined in on the paddle boat.

There were also quads for the more adventurous. And those who didn't mind a lot of dust and dirt.

Overall the trip was fun and everyone had a fun, relaxing weekend.

We finished off our last day there with a hike up Steamboat Rock. It was a steep, hot, no shade, climb up but the view at the top was incredible!

Bailey carried Ruppy with his injured paw up and down the whole way. Lily and Marcel were hiking champions. Lily cracked me up by wedging herself under sagebrush at every stop to get any available shade. She also would turn and bark at me if I wasn't moving fast enough on the way down.

It was a great weekend with friends and family.