Minnow Lake

 Somewhere along the road between Island Park and Mesa Falls, there's a little lake tucked into the pines.  I can't tell you how to get there because I don't really know how.  And also I like it cause no one is ever there.  I don't know if it has a real name, but we call it Minnow Lake because Cole likes to take his net and catch minnows while we fish.  

 

It's a perfect little piece of heaven and we make our way there every time we stay at the cabin.  The fishing is great and there are meadows full of wildflowers for Annie to pick (shhh...don't tell the Forest Service). 

 Ben was pretty excited about the fishing this year...

  ...picking out the best bait...

 ...and practicing his cast...we stayed far away during that little practice session.  Two-year-olds with baited fishing lines are a bit dangerous.

Ben's Spiderman pole proved good luck that night...it caught this monster fish.  Ben needed a bit of help reeling that guy in.

 

  Cole paused from minnow catching long enough to reel in a few.  We needed all hands this night - they were biting like crazy.  At one point, Ben's Spiderman pole suddenly flew five into the water when a fish bit.  Since Floyd was busy reeling another fish in, I got to wade out and rescue it.  Bet you're all sorry we didn't snap a photo of that.  And that little bit of adventure shows that Floyd is indeed correct - you never can pack too many fishing poles because you just never know what will happen, which is why I have to drive a beast of a car -- just so we make sure we have enough room for those poles.  And waders.  And tackle boxes.  And wading boots.  And nets. 

 Ben took a short fishing break to join Annie on her wildflower hunts...

 

...and I took a short fishing break (okay long) to watch the sunset.  Or maybe I took a short break from watching the sunset to fish.  Tough call.  Either way, the sunset was gorgeous.

 As we were leaving down the trail, Floyd called us back and this is why...

 ...the full moon was just peeking over the trees and shining over the lake.  I really wish we'd had a professional photographer along at that point cause it was absolutely incredible. 

 We took our time watching it rise.  I loved it so much I wanted to sing "Annie's Song."  Or cry.  Or write a poem.  Or something.  It was gorgeous. 

 Until next time, our dear little lake.  Thanks for the memories!