21 August 2014

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
(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

14 comments:

Bethany Carson said...

Oh wow, perfectly clear water is sooo neat to see! Lovely photos.

Linda W. said...

That lake looks like a lot of fun. And very pretty scenery.

aimee said...

@Bethany~
Thank you! I really LOVED the water of the lake because of that:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Linda~
It really was so much fun! The scenery was pretty but the canyon we drove to get there was definitely my favorite scenery wise. I just LOVE Utah and Colorado's canyons!
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: I was enjoying some of your winter Utah photos again this morning--needed to see some gorgeous aspen :)

Betsy said...

Very, very pretty lake and scenery Aimee. We've never been to Bear Lake but may have to make the trip sometime. The water is so clear, just like our lake. Perfection.
Blessings,
Betsy

Teresa Kasner said...

That water looks so clean and clear.. love the shells and the mountains. You're having quite the trip! Hope you got my answer on the solar panel.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Very nice Aimee. When's lunch? :)

aimee said...

@Betsy~
It is truly beautiful there--different from the PNW, but beautiful. It is exceptionally clear-truly was perfect:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Teresa~
It was! It felt so good! I did get your info on the solar panel for RVs--thank you so very much:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Sam~
Thanks! We really enjoyed our time there! Re: lunch -- we had burgers, fries and some of us had shakes. I would gladly have saved some for you had I known you were hungry:) Does Dad let you eat people food Sammy?
BLessings,
Aimee

Gracie Saylor said...

Beautiful sights, Aimee! I was surprised by the shells, though. Thanks for posting. So glad you all made good memories! xx

aimee said...

@Gracie~
Thank you! I was surprised by the shells as well! Truly didn't expect to find them at all:)
Blessings,
Aimee

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Aimee! This was so fun to read. We've stayed at Bear Lake several times (when we were on the road all the time with our bigger RV) and we loved it every single time. Your post brought back such great memories-- especially of the first time we were there ... I could not believe how blue and beautiful it was. Wonderful. And your feelings about the area ... I shared them!!

I've missed a zillion posts obviously and will scroll back to catch up. I totally agree with you about how it is impossible to blog travel as you go. I do just what you do.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Aimee! This was so fun to read. We've stayed at Bear Lake several times (when we were on the road all the time with our bigger RV) and we loved it every single time. Your post brought back such great memories-- especially of the first time we were there ... I could not believe how blue and beautiful it was. Wonderful. And your feelings about the area ... I shared them!!

I've missed a zillion posts obviously and will scroll back to catch up. I totally agree with you about how it is impossible to blog travel as you go. I do just what you do.

aimee said...

@Sallie~
Happy to hear you enjoyed this post and that it brought back great memories for you! It is a beautiful lake and the color is---well the color of the lake is fabulous!
Blessings,
Aimee

Sallyo said...

Great photos of Bear Lake! One of my favorite spots from a proud descendant of Bear Lake pioneers.
Hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation.

aimee said...

@Sally~
Bear Lake is an amazing place! I can see how your forefathers would have been drawn to it and why you love it so much! I was totally amazed at the color of the lake and the clarity of the water!
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: We're back home now, but I have lots of great memories of our trip:)

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