FAMILY VACATION: DAY SIX

Saturday’s schedule included a hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Skykomish wilderness or Merrit Lake not far from where we camped; however, plans required change due to a weather system that blew in during the night and looked like it came to stay for the duration of our trip. Over Lake Wenatchee the clouds seemed lighter, more of a white tint than dark gray or black. We thought perhaps we might attempt a hike anyway since appropriate clothing and gear remained in our packs, until we walked to the lake’s edge and felt the wind and viewed the very dark clouds in and among the mountains towards our intended destination. Instead, we took a couple of hours to perform family photo shoots along the lake. The boys enjoyed being boys, rock hopping along the water’s edge and Dale and I took a short walk, while the kids stayed on the beach. About 11:00 a.m. the rain began to gently fall, soon turning into good sized pellets. We took cover once again under our table covering where we stayed dry, relaxing, whittling sticks, finishing Jack London’s “Call of the Wild,” and drinking hot beverages. Feeling too lethargic after a time I decided to take a walk in search of viewing black bears seen above the campgrounds. A mother and two cubs along with what probably was a male bear had been viewed several times over the past three weeks. Since I did not get to see a mountain goat on any of our hikes, I hoped to see at least a black bear. An easy trail led from the Lake Wenatchee campground to the Nason Creek Campground maybe a quarter of a mile away. Following the lake up to the groups sites, down into forested clearings, into Nason Creek Campground, up to the horse barn where one can pay dearly for even a half hour ride, back to our site, my blood started to flow again and my muscles loosened up after sitting, but I did not see a black bear. This was not my vacation to experience wildlife. The evening brought the sounds of voices being lifted up in song and once again my heart warmed. As I sat and reflected back upon the week in personal thought and in discussion with the kids, the realization that these times will soon be coming to an end as we know them presently. The kids will begin summer jobs within the next year or two, four years and our son will essentially be on his own, and we never know what the future holds. No amount of money and no amount of material possessions can replace the memories and bonds created during these family events. Even with uncooperative weather and interrupted plans, enjoyment of unplanned experiences lends to stories for years to come. We all agreed that taking games would have enhanced the week, something usually included in any of our trips, but this time they remained at home due to mom’s clogged memory banks. Another time around we will take canoes or kayaks with us to explore the lake and provide activities when rain and storms prevent us from taking to the backcountry. Other than a couple of these “extras,” we all decided our vacation ended up a great success. Now we look forward to planning our next adventure to the San Juan Islands next year, and this time we will be on the reservation site the day it opens for next season. Now it’s back to reality and getting our daughter ready for a girl’s campout this week, beginning Tuesday, August 10, possibly again at Lake Wenatchee!