The Lakes Trip

This past weekend Jr. and I were invited by Riley and Kristina to their yearly Grand Daddy Lakes trip. They have been going for years with their family and close friends and this year they invited us to go. You horse ride 7 miles to your camp area. I haven't spent much time with horses so I'd been having 2nd, 3rd, and 4th thoughts about going. But Jr. was so excited, I was excited but also a little worried to intrude on a traditional friends and family trip. All worrying aside everyone was so welcoming and very patient with us well with me.

We left Friday morning and drove for about 2 hours east and met Riley and his sister Ralaina at Grandview Trail Head (it's by Tabiona, Ut). They packed all our things on a "pack" horse and I got to ride Nelly and Jr. is riding Heber. He's humongous.

It was a smooth, beautiful 7 mile ride to our campsite. The view is gorgeous.

When we made it there everyone that brought horses let's them graze and hangout. I love this picture. I believe there were 19 horses total and 14 campers.

We had the best meals out there. Everyone really went all out. Mostly everything we ate was cooked in dutch ovens over the camp fire and we had the best Cobbler ever made. No joke it was delicious. That reminds me I need that recipe. I tried not to eat too much out there because there are no bathrooms......if you needed to go, you took a walk and handled your business. It's definitely rough camping.

We stayed up late Friday night singing songs by the camp fire. Kristina and I had been working on a Song book for the trip because usually it's just Riley and Jr. singing at our gatherings but this time we wanted to join in.

We slept with 6 other people in Riley's new tent and I was warned that it gets crazy cold at night but they had heaters going in the tent and it was so warm and cozy.

I really felt like I was starting to relax with the 7 mile ride out of the way, then Saturday morning came. I woke up and I was sore! Not saddle sore surprisingly (good thing I have a lot of cushion) but my back ached. But these cowboys know what their doing because everyone had medicine for us to take. Then wouldn't you know it was time to jump on the horses again and go on what they called an "adventure".

And an adventure it was! Below are 2 videos that Jr. took while on this adventure.

It was crazy! I was terrified the whole time. I don't have a lot of horse control and I think Nelly took me for a ride that day. She seemed so sweet and slow on Friday but she was well rested and ready roll come Saturday. I guess I looked petrified the whole time because everyone kept asking me how I was doing. I didn't want to say I was freaked out of my mind and about pee'd in my pants a million times.

It was such an amazing experience and I was thankful we got to go. It really made me appreciate all the beautiful land and animals that Heavenly Father created for us.

Sunday morning we packed up and took the 7 mile journey back to our cars. We had so much stuff and it took up two more horses so Kristina and Ralaina hiked out. When I say hike I mean HIKE. It was a rough trail for horses with 4 feet. I was so impressed with those two especially with the high elevation.

Well I made it out alive and my husband has now become obsessed with horse riding. Jr. loved every second on those horses and cant wait to go again. I on the other hand am more scared then before the trip. That Saturday ride got me all messed up. But I still had an awesome time. Thanks Kristina and Riley! We had a blast.