Trip to the Mountains

Every year we look forward to the times we get to head up to the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. I've been going up there now for more than 30 years, and it's a tradition I love to be able to have with our kids.

This week's visit was the most lovely and restful time we've had since doubling the size of our brood, and we soaked up every minute of it. The Papa was able to take the two older kids fishing (seperately, as they are a whirlwind together), and we built a fire pit out front for evening fun and s'more making.

The kids played in the dirt, worked on chalk drawings, watched more movies and shows than they are ever allowed to at home, explored the woods, watched the deer walk past them on the deck every morning and evening, and spent a fair amount of time being worried about bears. Benji accomplished a 5-mile hike to the lake and back with The Papa, and everybody managed a short hike together one day followed by a picnic lunch...nothing to sniff at as we were at least 8,500 feet above sea level.

Without further ado, here are some of the photos from our vacation.

Papa Time

Benj sure loves his Papa. He really enjoys one of the same things that first attracted me to him - his fondness for sitting together, looking off into the distance, and telling stories from his past. So Papa and son now have a little ritual: after a couple hours of working on cars or in the garage or yard, they grab a beverage and head up to the balcony to watch the sun set and to swap stories.