<-- This is Shell and I on the way out:)
<-- This was the view right outside our tent! My pictures don't nearly do it justice:)
Finally, our yearly backpacking adventure!:) This time, Shelly was able to come with Dad and I which made it even more fun! We picked our spot about a week earlier; we decided to drive up to Trinity Lake Monday night and camp, then backpack in to several different lakes Tuesday, camp at Rainbow Lake, and then head out Wednesday...but we weren't counting on the thunderstorms!:) We ended up leaving later than planned Monday and didn't make it to Trinity Lake until well after dark, in the rain... so we tried to set up camp as fast as possible and then sat in our tents listening to the crazily fantastic thunderstorm outside! Shell and I shared one tent and Dad and the dog, Kili, shared the other:)
As soon as Shell and I had our tent set up we pulled out the laffy taffy and yummy marshmallow/pretzel/goldengraham/chocolatechip chex mix I spontaneously put together....DeLiCiOuSneSs!:) and then we played our new favorite game...Monopoly cards! (I can't stand the board game, but the card game is a blast!) Listening the the outrageous thunder and pelting rain was definitely a plus too...cept for how cold it was the next morning:(
We headed out later Tuesday morning and were unpleasantly surprised when the first leg of the trail was annoyingly steep the whole time:/ yuck, but the rest of the hike was fun:) ...until we got a little lost! hahaha, we were all ready to be done hiking and setting up camp when we realized we must have missed a sign and passed the lake we meant to stay at. But they neglected to tell me that so I kept on hiking since I was in front...figures:) Eventually Shell came and yelled for me to come back cuz I was going the wrong way...that seems to be my lot in life, I'm bound to get lost wherever I go!:) hahaha, anyways, we eventually found it, hiked around the lake, and found the best campsite:) There was only one other group there, and they were on the opposite side of the lake so it never even felt like they were there!
After we set up our tents we determined it was definitely nap time...cept I couldn't fall asleep:) Eventually we got a fire started and started making dinner... we were starving! The rest of the evening consisted of Dad fishing, Shell and I playing cards, taking pictures, and finding gorgeous views! along with the best dessert...raspberry crumble, yum! I loved spending time in the mountains, I hadn't realized how much I missed it! and how much I'm going to miss Shelly once she heads off for Utah State and her Masters degree!:( sigh...
That night we once again stayed up late playing the monopoly card game, and attempting to get our silly glow sticks to work! I brought a whole package, and none of them worked!:( oh well, we got an early start the next morning and made it out rather quickly, despite the rainstorm that made it a tad bit chilly for us:) Overall, it was certainly a memory that won't be forgotten...
