Payson Lakes 2012
Vicki (Rod's mom) is the queen of camping. This woman hauled all of her seven children all over the west to national parks during their childhood. I am so grateful to have married into a camping family, since A) who can afford hotels anyway? and B) out in nature is the only place my children can be themselves (wild animals) and not get in trouble for it.
Our annual trip to Payson Lakes was generously set-up by Grammie & Grandpa, so we joined them for a few nights/days. Besides the afternoon air being thick with forest fire smoke from the multiple fires constantly ablaze around the state, it was really great. And, as camping usually is, really exhausting too. I know the kids always come back with their tank full to the brim of incredible memories and that is always what makes it worth it for me. (Don't ask me how long it takes me/my house to recover or how many meltdowns occured afterwards though).
Also in keeping with tradition, when the sun finally rises and I'm still awake, a quick jog around the lake can soothe even the achin'-est bones. I had to run back and get my camera after a while because the stillness of the scenery was intoxicating. I think I counted 21 different animal sightings that morning. You know what they say about the early bird...
The best treat of all was that our cousins from Vegas got to join us! My kids adore the Broadheads and our time together always feels so limited but a few days out in nature can sometimes feel like an eternity (at least I know it did to Marg)! They were in absolute heaven.
