Seaside and Cannon Beach

Our summer vacation has taken us to Cannon Beach with a quick stop at Seaside.  The last time we were here Jenna was 3, that was 17 years ago.  The kids had a good time playing on the beach and especially exploring Haystack Rock at low tide.

Isaac Summer Sports, so far

Isaac just finished his first season of soccer.  He loved it and many days would talk his dad into going to Smith Park with three balls in tow, a soccer ball, basketball, and football.  We are learning he is a bit of a showoff as he picks the sport (ball) that has the most activity in the park.

He also just finished football camp where he was recognized as having the longest kick and most number of catches for the kindergarten and first grade group.  He is easily the biggest kid for his age.

Ride to Green Lake, Grand Tetons

On Saturday we enjoyed nearly perfect weather and a 13 mile round trip ride to Green Lake in the Grand Tetons.  A good friend of mine has been telling me about Green Lake for years.  We really enjoyed the ride and especially the wildflowers which were abundant.  We initially took the wrong trail which took us straight up a mountain, but once on the right path we enjoyed a gentle climb to the top of a pass, then some fairly steep switchbacks that led us down into the Green Lakes basin.

We only made it to the first lake which was full of fish, lush meadows, surrounded by large granite peaks.  Cindy rode Dan who at times acted like a young horse and once took Cindy straight up the mountain, bypassing the last of the switcbacks.  Christopher was on Bullseye, who we are learning is a very steady and reliable ride.  I was on Kipper, who at 23 still has lots of miles and I enjoyed his smooth gate.

Christopher on Bullseye

High Mountain Meadows

Meadows and Wild Flowers

Cindy on Dan

Near the Pass before the Switchbacks

View of Teton Mountain Range from the Pass

Christopher and Bullseye on the Switchbacks

Arriving at Green Lake

Green Lake from the Creek Inlet

Taking a Break Before the Ride Home

Christopher with Steve and Kipper

Scaling the Switchbacks

Making our Decent from the Pass

All in all it was a great day, and enjoyed the wide open vistas, lush green forests, beautiful meadows and the grandeur of the Tetons.

Warning, the video below may make you dizzy!

Isaac Scores

Isaac is enjoying his first year of soccer.  He is on the Lincoln School team 1.  His team is made up of 5-7 year old kids, and while he is still 5 he is the biggest kid on the team. As parents, we are learning we may need to carry a birth certificate to let parents know he really is in the right age division.

He is having a great time and we are enjoying watching him.  He is learning to play hard and fair and even cheat a little (unknowingly).  In one of these short video clips he throws it into himself, we are pretty sure that is illegal.

Southeast Idaho Horseback Rides

Arriving at the Dunes Near Rexburg

On Kipper, Dan, and Bullseye at the Dunes

Cindy with Chrissy and Jenna's Friend Courtney

Jenna with her Friends Courtney and Melinda

At Trail's End with Dan, Kipper, and our Dog Gretel

Starting our Ride at Harriman State Park, Island Park, Idaho

Cindy Riding Dan

Christopher and Emrie on Bullseye

Approaching Golden Lake

Cindy at Golden Lake

Checking the Trail Sign

On the Way to Silver Lake

Steve and Emrie Near Silver Lake

Thanks to Grandpa Dorman, we have a pretty good stable of horses, plus a great trailer for getting out and about.  We recently took excursions to Southeast Idaho's sand dunes, and Harriman State Park.  We have been to the dunes several times, but this was our first time as a family to Harriman. We went on just one of the many loops and will return soon to enjoy the many rides that go along the river, past mountain lakes, and up over high mountain ridges.

A Hike to Aldous and Hancock Lakes

Cindy, Emrie, and Gretel on the Path to Aldous Lake

Emrie and Gretel at Aldous Lake

Arriving at Hancock Lake

Alyssa, Jenna, Christopher, Steve and Matthew at Hancock Lake

Looking Down on Aldous Lake

Emrie at Aldous Lake

Emrie and Isaac at Aldous Lake

Christopher at Aldous Lake

Jenna and Alyssa at Aldous Lake

We enjoyed a really beautiful Saturday hiking in the mountains near Kilgore, Idaho.  The drive was gorgeous and the meadows, ranchlands, and mountains where especially green because of our wet spring.  The hike to Aldous Lake was just 1.3 miles, with an additional climb of 1 mile to Hancock Lake. Emrie and Isaac where great hikers and Isaac caught a dozen frogs, and saw one very large one that he said had candy growing on him.  Jenna brought along her friend Alssya, and Matthew was joined by his father-in-law Lance, his brother-in-law Spencer, and their friend Cassy.