Back to the Cabin (July 3rd, 2015)

Two weeks till retirement! We took our oldest daughter to the airport at 2:00 this morning, and then headed back to bed for a few hours. She is heading to Georgia to see her husband. They will spend their holiday weekend in beautiful Savanna, Georgia.

The rest of us are once again heading to the Cabin. Our youngest daughter was the princess of our small cabin community during her junior year in high school (2012-2013). She received an email this week that they would like all of the former princesses to return this year for the Fourth of July celebration. She originally had plans to go camping with friends in Crested Butte, Colorado, but decided that this was important and wanted to be a part of it.

We took our time getting up, and arrived at the cabin at about 10:00 a.m. We got moved into the cabin and enjoyed some time with Steve’s parents; then Steve and I headed over to Dowdy Lake, where our friends, Louise and Paul, were camping. They camp there often, so we always try to go visiting if we can. We are always amazed by their camping set-up. They have a 5th wheel as big as a house, as well as awnings, smokers, big comfy chairs and more. They truly camp in luxury! They had a big group of friends and family along this time, made up of seven campsites and 27 people. We stayed at their camp for a few hours, and invited them to join us for fireworks if they were interested. 

As we were leaving Dowdy, we got a text that Grandma, Grandpa and our daughter were heading over to Steve’s brother's cabin for dinner and fireworks, so we just drove straight over there. Steve's brother and his wife have a cabin near the lake where they shoot off the fireworks. It is the ideal place to hang out, away from the crowds, and enjoy the evening until the fireworks begin. 

When we got there our nephew and his girlfriend were throwing axes and knifes at a huge target, so we joined in. Somehow, the guys are so much better at this than we girls are. I just can’t understand it. But I guess that when a big bear comes strolling along we will be safe with our big burly, hatchet throwing men. We hung around the cabin just having fun for the next few hours. 

Family and friends just enjoying the after

Steve's brother and his wife had prepared grilled vegetables with shrimp and sausage kabobs for dinner, and grandma brought beans and corn salad to accompany it. So yummy! And the best news is…our daughter could eat all of it!! After dinner we cleaned up the dishes while the fire was being built at the fire pit. We all headed up there for some banana s’mores, and just hung out until the fireworks started. 

Steve’s mom took a walk down by the lake to see all of her mountain friends, and to her surprise, there was a big moose, strolling among all of the people (fortunately staying calm). Everyone was giving him plenty of room, and allowing him to just stroll where he wanted until he finally wondered up away from the crowd. As fun as it is to see a moose up close and personal, it is also very important to give them lots of space. If they get scared, they will attack, and they are big and dangerous. The funniest part about the unexpected moose is that the fireworks were delayed because all of the emergency vehicles were keeping their eye on him, rather than preparing for the show. 

Once he wondered off, the fireworks began, and as always, it was a beautiful show. The view through the trees and the reflection off of the lake is always such a treat. Fireworks in the mountains are so relaxing and spectacular!