Redfish Lake July 29th-Aug 1st, 2015

We had the fun opportunity of spending a few days at Redfish Lake in central Idaho near Stanley.  My cousin, Shauntae, and her family go frequently so this year we decided to join them.  The drive over was short in distance, beautiful in scenery, and LONG in time.  At least, long for how many miles we covered.  Pulling a trailer didn't help either.  The scenery was pretty amazing; lots of hot springs.  Once we got there the view of the Sawtooth's was spectacular!!  Redfish is a gorgeous high mountain lake with beautiful peaks all around it.  Lots of good hiking to other high mountain lakes also.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the time or energy with all our small children this year to make it on any.  We rode bikes, swam in the lake, visited the fish hatchery, visited the ghost town Custer, and played with cousins.

Lydia and Brinley fishing at the fish hatchery.  The Stanley fish hatchery is definitely the best I've ever seen.  They release King salmon every morning at 9am (we caught the very end of it) and they have a kids fishing pond with poles and worms provided.

Fish on!  Way to go, Sis!

Porter trying his hand at it and Jon staying busy trying to keep the lines baited and untangled.

Porter's definitely in his terrible twos.  He is a curious and very hands on little guy.  Keeps me quite busy.  To get him to sleep at night was a bit tricky with all of us in the trailer.  I finally decided to put him in the stroller and walk him to sleep at night.  The weather was perfect and that turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the trip.  So peaceful, calm, and beautiful.

Our adorable little Zeri!  We missed Hyrum on this trip.  Unfortunately, the only time that worked for us to go was the week Hyrum was at Scout camp. 

Me trying to fish with my precious little cuties!

Our three little boys

Ephi at 9 1/2 months and mobile as ever.  Walks around things and so close to walking on his own.

These two are quite the buds.  Thank goodness, Zerin's the oldest because he's so kind and gentle and almost always willing to share.  (He's playing with the worm dirt, yuck!)

Beautiful Sissy!

The kids sure love to ride the bike with Dad.  That's an awfully handy trailer!

The Sawtooths.  Awe, that view is nourishment to my soul!  I'd love to go back and spend time hiking those things...

Mining for gold at Custer

Custer was quite the awesome ghost town.  Very well kept. 

Zerin is our endurance boy.  (see August's post about him chasing after me).  Lydia rode home with Shauntae's family and Jon and Porter took off on the bike so I was left with these two. They have quite the list of sites to see and Zerin wanted to just keep walking and walking and see them all.  It was toasty outside and he had on little sandals and long, hot pants.  That boy's endurance always amazes me!

To say Lydia had a blast with these two (Brinley and Cienna) would be an understatement!  She LOVED having some fun girl cousins to hang out with.  Where she lacks in the sister department she makes up for  in the cousin department.  Now, if she could only live by some...

Somehow this is the only view of the lake we took a picture of.  So sad because it was amazing!

Zerin and Ariana.

They were also the best of buds.  Ariana's a year and three months younger than Zerin, seven months older than Porter.  Porter didn't play much because Shauntae and her in-laws that were there both brought dogs and Porter was terrified to leave Jon or I's side.  

As wonderful as Redfish was, and as much as the children enjoyed it, I doubt we'll ever go back.  The number of people there was too much for Jon.  I have to admit it was a little much for me also.  We were grateful for the opportunity and would definitely love to visit that country again, maybe just not the campgrounds around the lake.  We missed you, Hyrum!