Thursday, September 29, 2016

Family Reunion at Bown's Lake ~ Capitol Reef July 2016

“Our family is a circle of strength of love with every birth 
and every union the circle grows.”

Setting Up Camp
Cory setting up the Dutch Ovens
 After a fun 4th of July, we all packed up and headed south to Capital Reef National Park for our family reunion.  Tiffany tried to get reservations for us up in the pines, but when the reservation confirmation was sent it was for a campground just out of Delta . . . not exactly where we wanted to go!  So we chose Bowns Lake because it had the only Group Site that was not first some first serve.  As we climbed up the mountain east of Torrey, we opened the windows and breathed in the fresh pine scented air and I was getting really excited.  We passed several campgrounds snuggled in the pines . . . but it was not to be.  We turned and headed down toward the lake and left those stately pines for cedar and sage brush.  I must say, I was a little disappointed because the cool, fresh was a boon to the hot summer day.  We all got out a little dismayed, at first, but soon found places among the Cedar trees to put up tents and park the trailer.  By the time we all got settled in, it was dinner time!
"Do you think it'll be enough?" Uncle Brett, Ashton and MaCaleb checing out the wood pile
 Damien rounded up most of the big guys and all the little guys and they went gathering fire wood for a couple of hours - they created a pile that lasted us all week!
Sydni, Ashton, Eden, MaCaleb, Allie, Kourtni, Jacob, Tiffany & Brett
 We all took turns cooking the meals ~ and we had some great food!
Grace, Brett, Ashton, Mason, Sydni, MaCaleb, Eden - Breakfast Time!
 Grandma and Grandpa brought their Super Tent ~ it was a great place to get out of the sun, eat and play games late at night and do crafts during the day.
Papa Ray, Grace and Ashton getting all the stakes hammered in
All the kids pitched in to help set up camp.  I enjoy being a part of a wonderful family where everyone pitches in to help and take part..
Papa Ray and Grace
 Enjoying Bowns Lake

Kourtni, Alley and Eden - we have to pick up these worms and put them on the hook?
 Bowns Lake was cool and refreshing during these hot summer days.  The kids did lots of fishing, swimming, canoeing, and played on the rope swing and enjoyed the lovely sandy beach.
Grace ~ wading out for a better cast.
 The kids did a great job of baiting their own hooks . . .we didn't catch anything this morning, but a few nice ones were caught later in the week. 
Jesse, Kourtni, Grace, Ashton and Eden

Cori, Grant and Kourtni

Ashton, Hunter, MaCaleb and Mason coming in from a canoe ride on the lake
 The kids went out in the canoes a lot - sometimes to fish, other times just for fun!
Cousins -and good buds- Mason, MaCaleb and  Hunter

We enjoyed watching the hawks sore overhead, then dive down to fish in the lake

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