Backpacking at Fish Lake

One thing I like about Utah is that there are many different environments. There are cities, deserts, mountains, lakes, farmlands, party towns, ghetto towns, rich towns, bubbled-in towns, and just about every environment you can think of. Last week, I had the opportunity to experience the mountain environment of Utah. Our family, along with the Bishop's family, and another family in our ward, went to Fish Lake to go backpacking. We went to the Bishop's cabin the first night, and then trecked out on our journey the next day. Bishop, me, Savanna, Danny, Thomas, Melissa, Emily, Rebecca, Ben, MarkMelissa and me getting ready for our hike Cute yellow flower on a barbed wire fence

Melissa and I rode on ATVs with everyones packs to the trail head. I was even fortunate enough to drive the ATV. It was quite thrilling to race over rocks and catch air a few times.Dad and meMe and MelissaSammi thinking she's queen of the worldMelissa gathering snow for the snowballs we'd soon be throwing at Danny, Ben, & Savanna

One of the countless card games we played on this trip

We eventually set out on our short, one and a half mile hike to Blind Lake. When we went over the final hill, the lake suddenly appeared in a breathtaking view. It was beautiful.

First view of Blind Lake

We found a good camp spot and settled in for the night. We had some time to spare while the dads went fishing, so we explored and found a nifty "Twilight" meadow. It was almost exactly like the meadow in the book, because you were in the middle of the forest and you would all of a sudden walk out into the middle of this huge, green, Twilighty meadow.We also killed time by finding firewood and starting a humongous fire. The dads came back with no luck of fish for dinner. Luckily we brought our backpacking dinners just in case. Savanna with a huge pile of firewood.
Thomas and Ben tending the fire. Where's Marco???

That night, dad played his harmonica for us. A wonderful treat that he does every backpacking/camping trip. The next morning, the dads set out to fish again. They came back a few hours later with our lunch! I might add that a fresh fish, caught not even 10 minutes ago, with dad's superb seasoning, is quite delcious.
Mark & his fish
Pulling off the skin of the fish
Seasoning the fish

After lunch we packed up and set out for our 6 mile hike back to the vehicles. Melissa and I entertained ourselves by speaking spanish for a few miles.Marco and Sammi with their cute doggy packs The view at the top of the mountian on our way back to the vehicles

When we got back to the vehicles we were all very tired, including the two dogs, Sammi and Marco. Two tired teenagers We made it!

We drove back to the cabin and had a welcoming shower and a hot, homemade dinner. The night was young and we started out early playing card games. We eventually ended up playing into the early hours of the morning. Beginning our long game of cards

There were quite a few moments when everyone was loopy and no one made any sense at all. And of course, at 2:30 in the morning, eveything is funny. Soon, everyone went to their rooms and drifted off to sleep. Melissa and I didn't end up falling asleep until 3:30 because we wanted to have our usual "girl talk" that we have at sleepovers. It's now late at night, and we're playing 'Mormon Bridge.' Notice what the 7 looks like? That's right, an L ;)

The next morning, we woke up to the long awaited moment of eating Cocoa Roos! After breakfast we cleaned up the cabin and packed everything. Then we went to a location where the other kids could ride the ATVs since they didn't have a chance the first day at Fish Lake. Dad with Rebecca

After ATVing, we set off for home sweet home. Thank you Utah for having mountains, lakes, trees, and the perfect backpacking environment.