Utah: Beautiful Bear Lake

At this point, since we've reached Utah,

I don't feel the need to post anymore in chronological order.

Instead I will be posting by attraction/highlight.

Also, because some posts are pretty photo heavy

(because I didn't want to make two posts),

I will try to keep my commentary shorter than usual.

Hahahahahahaha

:)

 

Our initial attraction will be beautiful Bear Lake located in NE Utah

and also in SE Idaho.

We've gone through AMAZING Logan Canyon and we've reached the summit.

Now we need to make our descent down to the lake.

To do that we'll be going from about 7500 feet in elevation down to 5924 feet.

Are you ready?

 

 

There's a viewpoint at the top where you can stop and take photos at,

but we'll save that for next time

(and there WILL be a next time for me -- I hope).

Viewer warning: some of these photos will be a bit blurry.

 

Down, down, down we go.

Did I say it's a long way down?

 

 

Down, down, down we go some more.

 

Oh, we're here.

I can open my eyes now--

just kidding!

 

Actually, the descent wasn't THAT bad.

Of course, I just so happened (luckily) to be on the 'right' side of the vehicle-

literally the right side:)

 

The road up was a totally different matter though

(note to self: right side during the descent;

 left side during the ascent AND never, ever sit in the front seat of the vehicle...)

but the point is--

I DID IT

and it was SO worth it!

 

One of many views from the road by the lake.

Can you tell these are shot through tinted windows?

LOL.

You do what you have to.

 

This reminded me a bit of our Oregon coast.

Wonder what the inside looks like?

Wonder how they decorated it?

 

 

After an unsuccessful attempt to rent something we could use on the lake

(note to self: you MUST call ahead to make reservations for such things),

 a quick trip over the border to the lovely state of Idaho,

a hunt for just the right beach

(yea, found a great free one!),

we settled in to enjoy this incredible lake.

Ahhhh.

Can you see the famous turquoise color in the photo above?

Pretty, huh? 

 

 

Yes, there are shells here!

And some rocks too.

 

And, yes, the water of the lake is so clear it's easy to find them!

I should also add the water is the PERFECT temperature for water fun

and that the lake,

at least where we were,

stays shallow for a loooooong time.

I know because I walked out into it.

 

Finally I should add,

that you sunburn quickly here--

really quickly.

I know because I did,

 and I was actually out from under the shade of the gazebo

we brought along for just a short while.

 

I guess it's that lovely combo of high elevation, reflective water and sand.

 

Well at least always pale Aimee wasn't so pale for the remainder of her trip:)

 

Another important fact about Bear Lake...

 Small One learned how to float here--

but we'll save that photo for later.

 

Here she is learning how to kick with her dad.

 

Ah, Bear Lake-

so many GOOD memories were made on your shoreline!

 

Next: a trip through one of Utah's amazing canyons

 

Blessings,

Aimee

  

Links:

An excellent pdf file on the history, geology, etc. of Bear Lake

http://geology.utah.gov/online/pi/pi-96.pdf

(loved this info!)

 

This area is also famous for their raspberries and raspberry shakes and

we just happened to be there during their annual Raspberry Days Festival.

Garden City was SO crowded and the wait to get food long!

The beach seemed fine though--I never felt it was overly crowded and loved our time there! 

Here's another site with info on events, activities, etc. in this area

http://bearlake.org/