Lake Waptus

Ever felt like your going in circles?  We did this summer.  Bill had a burning desire to take us all camping--not just simple car camping---but hiking 8 miles, with all our stuff on our backs camping. 

We set out on a warm August afternoon.  We had purchased a discovery pass so that we could discover Washington.

When we arrived at the trail head we discovered they didn't take the discover pass because Lake Waptus is on federal property....another fee.   After comparing the weight of our packs and determining that Sarah and Thomas were caring the heaviest, we headed out. 

The trail was slightly uphill and a little bit rocky, but the scenery was beautiful.  We had hiked for about 30 minutes and stopped for a break/drink.  There were two trails and we choose the one to the right.  We came to another fork and again took the one to the right. 

Dad asked us to look up and see the mountains we were surrounded by and told us that the Lake is straight a head.  But as we looked a head we saw a road and some signs.  It was the parking lot that we had started from.  We had just hiked for an hour with packs on our backs and did a circle back to our car. 

We were so disappointed.  We decided to find another lake to camp at....Cooper river was just down the road, it was beautiful,

and peaceful

There was another fee if we wanted to stay and camp.

So we just relaxed before moving on.

Should we find another camp ground or just eat our dinner somewhere and head home?

We ended up back at Lake Easton to eat our dinner...

and vote as to whether or not we want to stay or go home.

The vote was to go home and  home we headed....

However the freeway was closed due to blasting at the pass.

We waited, the kids played cards on the freeway to pass the time.

Others played football.

Will this day ever end?

 Yes, we ended the day back at home where we started, another circle.