Tribute to Redfish

So, believe it or not, life in near the big city gets a little rough at times. (Surprised?) And usually, when that happens, Brian says to me, "Wow. I just wish we could pack up and go spend a few weeks at Redfish Lake." And he means it. So, this summer, we actually did throw a bit of Redfish into our little vacation to Idaho. And it was wonderful.

This post is my quick tribute to Redfish Lake and all its loveliness...

We rented a little cabin suite for a night, the night before my birthday. I didn't get a picture of the outside, but here was the cute little bedroom inside...

Brian's Aunt Cindy (and our dear friend) works up at the lodge there, so we got to see her, and Janice (Brian's sis) & company. Sadly, I have no pictures of our fun tinfoil dinner night at the beach, but you'll have to trust me that it was really fun!

We all smelled like campfire, and had perfectly cooked and seasoned dinners, complete with corn on the cob cooked in the fire, and delicious sides of pineapple and feta salad. yum!! And let's not forget that Samantha and cousin Allie got SOAKED in the lake while "playing in the sand." They were freezing and begging to go home by the time we left the lake to go back to our cabins. (And a mother who TOLD Samantha NOT to get wet that night was somewhat satisfied that the poor freeeeezing five-year-old had learned her lesson the harder way, even though I tried to be sympathetic.)

So, I woke up on my birthday morning to this lovely, gorgeous mountain setting around me...

We ate a delicious birthday breakfast (blueberry pancakes, yum!!) at the lodge...

With this view out our window as we ate...

Then we swam all afternoon. Spence and Brian stayed in the water a lot, so I didn't get many pics of them (Brian thanks me for the lack of photo coverage, of course, ha!)...

Samantha rigged up her own "floatie" system...

Wondering how it worked in the water? Demonstrated below...

And Natalie? Well, I made sure to get some pics of her from all angles, since she was so cute in her little suit...

Gotta love that softie little back...

And her painted toes, tee hee...

Truth be told, she crashed out in her stroller for a lot of the afternoon, like a perfect baby doll...

I guess that's the end of my tribute. We had to end it all too quickly, to rush off for a birthday party/bbq/fireworks at my parents' house. (Can't complain about that, eh?)

Oh, but I also have to throw in our fun pics of our favorite ice cream parlor in Idaho City. We stopped there on the way up to Redfish; it's tradition...

Some close-ups of those darling ice cream faces...

Sprinkles, from her "birthday cake" ice cream...

And Natalie liked her cup of water (less messy when it spilled down the front of her shirt)....

My final word...

I have to say, if you've wondered whether you should put Redfish Lake on your list of "destinations" I vote YES!! It's worth it.