We had a different type of trip this year. Without my brother and his family joining us, it was just the four Keenes and my parents. The kids said they were actually looking forward to the “quieter week” and we sure made the most of it.
We also decided to take Maverick again after much discussion. He absolutely loves the water and being outdoors with us, and we love having him – but it is “one more thing” while we are on vacation. It sure is cute to watch him in the water though!
We arrived on Saturday and set up camp. Because the kids are awesome and so helpful getting set up, we had time for an evening boat ride. That hasn’t happened in years!
Jim also brought his hammock, something he keeps forgetting to do! We had a perfect set up for that.
Both kids jumped off the rock this year – from higher up than ever! Turtle Rock has been a tradition since I can remember, and it’s been great to watch our kids gain bravery and make the leap. We also got a new three-person towable, because ours started leaking at Spirit Lake. Costco returned our old one (the leak was a defect, not from misuse, so we took it in) and our new one arrived just in time.
We took a break from the sun and sand midweek to hike Steamboat Rock, another tradition that we love. Maverick loved the hike. The kids were worried about him, and Jim kept saying, “He’s a DOG. He’s probably the most sure-footed of all of us!” And he was right. Maverick practically pulled Jim up the hills. We returned from the hike to enjoy our pancake feast (tradition) and Jim brought me a coffee from the camper with love.
The next day was supposed to be a little cloudy in the morning as well, and my parents were headed into Spokane to visit some family, so we decided to do another hike we haven’t done in years: Northrup Canyon. We ended up having to divert from our plan of making it to the homestead site because of a washed-out spot in the trail swarming in bees. But we doubled back to another trail and ended up with gorgeous views of Steamboat Rock and Banks Lake!
We sure love our Banks Lake traditions! Breakfast in the boat happened, complete with Lucky Charms (the ONLY day of the year my kids get to eat that junk in my presence!). BOTH kids tried slalom skiing too! Haley officially got up for about one full second and JT was so close. We can’t wait to see them try again.
Another tradition has been movie in the boat: where we go out after dinner and watch a movie while floating. Traditionally it has been Jim and I plus our older nieces and nephew. Since they weren’t there this year, we took both kids. Haley was beyond excited to be so grown up. We watched the movie about Bethany Hamilton and it was awesome to be rocking in the water while watching a shark attack!
We also enjoyed trips to the marina for ice cream, badminton tournaments, sand castles, and general relaxing together.
On the last day, while Jim was finishing packing up, the kids and I took a five mile bike ride. It was really fun way to end the trip!
On the way home, we got a flat tire (blow out!) on the boat trailer. We were eight miles from home, which was a blessing because it was the one time we didn’t have all the right things to swap the spare. So we dropped the trailer on the highway, drove home, left the kids and dog, and returned to get it. The blow out also damaged the trailer – a bummer end to the trip – but we were glad no one has hurt and Jim was able to get the tired changed and the boat and trailer home that night with no further problems. When Jim and I got home around 8, the kids had made us dinner! What a great surprise.
The Keene Family 