July 16, 2011 Flaming Gorge

Since today was the last day, Dan got us up extra early.  There wasn't even time to change out of our pajamas.  Unfortunately, this was the chilliest morning. 

Chloe caught her first Kokannee Salmon:

Seth followed quickly with a Bass:

Dan told Chloe she could get a pocket knife (Thanks Madison, Kyle and Morgan) if she would clean and prepare her fish to take home and eat.  She was very excited, for the pocket knife, and got all of the

ready to go. 

They headed over to the fish cleaning station and she was very excited to do it herself.

She liked that her fish was a girl...

She did it and as soon as she can find the one she wants (something like Madison's, Kyle's or Morgan's) she will get

We pulled out of camp and as we were driving away it was easy to see why Mr. Powell appreciated the

red rock through out the canyon, inspiring the appropriately named Flaming Gorge.  Dan was inspired to reserve a camp site that had showers.  We waited as long as we could and made sure we had enough dollars and quarters for each of us.  It was sadly, silly when we found out that the showers for those camping were free and we could have showered morning, noon and night if we'd wanted.

Driving home through Wyoming the kids associated seeing

with the fireworks stands they had on the sides of the road...

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July 15, 2011 Flaming Gorge

Today was warmer but still windy in the afternoon.  After early fishing and breakfast I asked Dan to take us for a ride in the truck, with its fabulous air conditioning.  We found this little pond that had a walking path all the way around it.

They had to pull out their gear:

If we'd been camping last year, Dan would have taken the kids around the pond while I sat there and watched and took pictures.  But I feel so much better and have loved being more active.  I like to

but still have to take pictures.  It is so much more fun to do these things

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July 14, 2011 Flaming Gorge

After losing his pirates of the caribbean fishing pole at Pine View,

Seth had to get a replacement.

While we were fishing I noticed this little camp site.

We don't always keep the fish we catch but this one had our Uncle Ben's name on it!!!

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July 13, 2011 Flaming Gorge

I don't know what your family does

but we had planned on the rain,

so I was able to surprise the kids with things we've never done camping before. 

Very few of the critters made it the entire week but we all decided we'd need more balloons to keep practicing so that anyone and everyone would be able to decipher which balloon animal is which!

It's been over twenty years since I have been to Flaming Gorge and I know we took

as a family, at least once but it was another activity to do when it was to windy to fish. 

Just outside the building where the tours start are these steps that Dan told and Seth believed were

We bypassed these water logged steps and went instead up high.

Looking over the river side made me so nervous because we were way, way up.  It was such a weird sensation to be afraid of heights but so close to the reservoir...  We were in for a treat because tomorrow they planned to close the water way. 

With all of the run off and precipitation we've been getting, the shore line is only one foot from capacity. 

The tour lead us to the middle of the dam to take the elevator to the bottom of the reservoir.  We walked through the room with the generators and felt the power and force flowing through the power plant.  We got to step outside right at the mouth of the river,

just like

*even though I've never been there!

After donating some quarters to feed the fish, Dan kept asking the kids to

and they would get grossed out by the smell each time!!!  But the fish were so excited to get a nibble. 

Dan just wishes this is how they acted a little further down the Green River.

After getting our fill on facts and saying dam as much as we wanted we stopped off for our

to beat the heat.  We had bubble gum, cotton candy, birthday cake, and bunny tracks.  Yum!!!

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July 12, 2011 Flaming Gorge

We left around 8 AM with plans to stop for lunch before we arrived at our camp site. 

Seth and Chloe were very impressed with the

and their giant wind mills that looked like they just might rotate right off their stand!

Once we got there it is time to set up camp.  We have a newish tent that I love, because we can stand up in it!  There is plenty of room for our sleeping bags and stuff.  Dan always brings

It is so nice that their toys are all together and we usually know right where they are playing!  It rained off and on during the drive and the camp site was no different. It rained these huge drops, cooled everything down and then stopped.  The sun would shine and we would continue on.  Seth and Chloe loved searching for special rocks, climbing the cedar trees, and making a secret fort in the neighboring camp site. 
There was never

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