Every year since I was about 4 (minus a couple years), we go camping at Banks Lake. We do mostly the same things: boat, water sports, swim, visit the Grand Coulee Dam for the laser show every few years, climb Steamboat Rock, and just relax. This year we skipped the Dam and Rock since we had Sawyer in tow, but it was a classic trip nonetheless. We have gone with different people over the years, but an old family friend Rob and his daughter Shaina (a year older than me) are usually there. This year Rob brought his lady friend Kim, and Shaina brought her fiance Kyle (he came with us 3 years ago when we went)
We left early Wednesday and made our usual stop in Ephrata to eat at the same McDonald's we have been going to for years. We got there and immediately set up so we could head out on the water. Rob brings a party barge to hang out on, and we bring the boat for water sports. It works out awesome! The trip consists of a lot of swimming and lounging, but I will post highlights.
-We did a lot of water sports. Erik was doing awesome and pulled tricks on all of them, like doing 360's on the kneeboard and jumping the wake on the wakeboard. I am content just swerving back and forth and did the slalom ski, wakeboard, and inner tube.
-On Friday, there was a weather emergency broadcast while we were on the lake that thunderstorms and flash floods were on the way. We headed back, warned a family with about 6 kids, and put everything we had out away in the cars or tents. We even organized the tents in case they blew askew. Just in time, we had everything safe. It was NUTS! Super wet, lightning, and windy! Branches were flying everywhere and you would get soaked if you opened the camper door. The tent held up awesome though.
-We went out on the lake as soon as the storm had passed and it was AWESOME! It was like glass because no other boats had made it out yet. Prime conditions!
-There was another wind storm that kept us up the night before but not much rain. The tent kept bending in and bonking me in the head.
-Our air mattress had a hole in it and we had the worst sleep until we finally found it the last night. Pair that with Sawyer rolling all over the bed (I do not enjoy co-sleeping) and the storm that night and we were pretty tired and sore
-Sawyer was difficult because he was somewhere new and didn't get much nap time, plus we couldn't let him run off. I guess he did well considering the circumstances though.
-We each took a night for dinner which was really cool. The first night Kim made the best fish tacos I will ever have, then we made meatball subs, then mom made regular tacos. Yum.
-We left a day earlier than everyone else because we had a wedding to get to. Benefit: not having to pack everything up. Downside: Missing a day of fun since Friday's storm already cut one short
Anyway, here are some pictures...overload as usual.
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| Best fish taco ever!!! |
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| There's steamboat rock. We usually climb it and get awesome views. |
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| Erik showing off |
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| I told dad not to crash me >:( |
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| The barge had a sound system and Sawyer made everyone dance |
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| Kyle cliff jumping |
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| Here comes the storm |
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| The water was steaming or something |
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| Shelter |
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| Enjoying the glassy lake post-storm |
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| I liked this view on the drive home |
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