We just returned from 5 nights at Wallowa Lake State Park in Eastern Oregon. Words can’t really describe the beauty, the fun, the relaxation, the memories.
Surrounded on three sides by snow-capped mountains, the remaining side, a view of the lake.
Morning runs along the river and lake when the air is still crisp but you can feel the heat of the day beginning. Paddle boat rides. Lazy afternoons of naps and reading followed by walks to the ice cream parlour. Bike rides through the campsite. Evenings spent grilling and sitting beside the campfire indulging in s’mores.
The highlight for all, especially my train-obsessed son, was the tram ride to the top of Mt. Howard. Sitting on the patio of the restaurant atop the 8,000+ summit, sipping Terminal Gravity IPA, admiring beauty you can’t really put your head around, baby girl too tired to wait for lunch, sleeping on my chest.
Perfect.
I know these memories are the ones that will remain as the other, less favorable ones fade. The 6 hour long drive with a son repeatedly telling us “I’m tired of driving.” Or feeling my husband’s heart breaking as our son tells him he just wants to go home. Or over-hearing my husband complain to my mother-in-law that everyone is so “dang negative” when I know I was the bitchy one that day. Or our daughter going temporarily insane during our attempt at a small hike because it is nap time.
Vacations are not all roses and sunshine all of the time. And I know sadly, I am to blame at times. It never fails that I have my moments of irritation. And we now know that the kids are not always going to enjoy what we enjoy.
But I am smart enough to snap myself out of joy-stealing moments. I know to savor lunch atop mountains and paddle boat rides and afternoon ice cream cones. At times I am an outsider looking in on my own life, wondering how things could possibly be better.
8 comments:
Sounds like a great trip. Oh memories are special. Having you talk about your vacation makes me want to go on one too. Going on trips can also be very crazy. I guess all you can do is be happy about the happy moments.
This is a great post. I always end up feeling like this about vacations, sometimes cranky in the middle but so happy about the good times overall. (I am another pdx momma who linked to you from Jennifer's Childside.)
I'm glad you had such a good trip. You are right that vacations are usually better in hindsight. I also get cranky in the midst of it, but they usually end up being worth it overall.
Great pictures!
It's so true! The one time we went on vacation as a family, we ended up leaving a week early because we were all so sleep-deprived (daughter wouldn't sleep. at. all). But the photos we took were only of the nice bits, so I mostly only remember the good stuff.
OK, so you have a little inner-bitch that escapes occasionally when trapped in a car with children and a husband.
It's your kids...oh my. I want to pick them up and squeeze them!
So glad you are back!!
So true! I hate it when I get cranky when I am "supposed to be having fun!"
Love the photos...
Love the sleeping girl picture. Love it. Looks like a fabulous vacation.
OMG!
Where are you?!?!
Horrific scrap-booking accident?
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