Backpacking Past Marjorie Lake

The weather was perfect for our trip up in the Unitas. We always camp at the lower part of the Provo River but Rhett wanted to camp at the top where the river starts. There was a trail that connected the two spots so we ventured out not exactly sure where we were going to go. It was a long hike, that was by design. It's a crowded holiday weekend. With backpacking you learn how far to go to avoid seeing anyone. You get the car campers that are all around by the parking lots. The first one to two miles you get all of the really young families. After about mile three you don't see a soul. We sealed the deal by going over a mountain and down into the lower valley. Didn't see a soul the whole Labor Day weekend. We camped past Marjorie Lake next to the coolest part of the river. The rocks were so big and flat it looked like the water was just falling off of different sheets of rocks, it also made for some fun places to just sit in or by the river. In the day we spent most of our time sitting on the different shelves of rocks talking and washing and cooling off.

Diesel did great. He loves hiking and doesn't even mind his pack that he carries. With backpacking every pound counts. We make him carry his own food, tie down, treats, and bed. In fact I honestly think he loves it. It's the cutest, when Rhett puts his pack on he just stands there perfectly still until he's all strapped in. I think Diesel associates packs as fun. When we go boating he wears a life jacket, when we go walking he wears a harness, and when we go hiking a pack. Each time he is good as we put them on, he's no dummy, pack means play!

Stella, the bird whisperer, spent a lot of time feeding the Camp Robbers. Eventually they got to where they were eating out of her hand. Stella is a lover of all animals. Just across the river on the way in, were some water holes in the field where the outlet had dried up. There were fish in them that had been cut off from the river. She spent hours one day trying to catch the fish with her bare hands to bring to the river. To our surprise she actually caught two!

It was great to get away. I love spending this kind of time with my family, no phones or responsibilities. Just games and talking and being together. It was fun having Bridger back as well. It was a great weekend!