Stella Lake Hike

July 12th, the kids and I met up with a group of friends: Linda & Ashley Royer, Sam Roberts, and Val Taylor (A.K.A Nanna Val). We took a picnic up to the Summit Trailhead of Great Basin National Park to fuel our bodies before our hike. It was a great tailgate party, and I was looking forward to hiking up to Stella Lake with this great group of people :)

I was surprised by the chill in the air. Granted, it was about 10,000 feet - but this was the coldest I've ever felt it up here in mid July! I didn't anticipate the breezy, chilly conditions and left our jackets at home. This was also supposed to be the "heat of the day." Ha ha.

Well, at least some of the group was "prepared for all types of weather."

But, one by one we marched on...........

It's nice to see Val and Ava spend quality time together again - just like old times......

Sweet :)

Of course we had a few photo-ops along the trail............ look at those cute faces :D

The kids were so great on this hike!

Our destination: Stella Lake

It was definately colder up at the lake. The breeze was turning into more of a wind. I've never seen Stella Lake so full before...... and playing in the snow was a special treat when it is normally dry. There wasn't just a "little" snow either....... check this out:

Can you see Ava and Ashley?

After the girls got wet "butt sledding," we decided we were getting a little too cold and headed back down the trail....

We did some wildlife viewing on the way down...........

Ashley giving Ava a hand (or two) ~ what a pal!

A lot more obsticles on the trail this year! It was wet everywhere! So beautiful!

I think we were all worn out after that adventure............. totally worth it. I'm ready to do the next hike (Teresa Lake) soon!

Finishing up the day, we got some group photos at Mather Overlook:

I got home just in time to do a massage. To bad I wasn't the one getting the massage

;)

lol

In other news:

Bryan has been quite the musician these days. Of course he's always been great at music - but until now - didn't really play too much in public. He's had the opportunity to perform at a few events the last month. He performed during the Snake Valley Reunion at T&D's in Baker, NV. Click THIS LINK for his performance.

My cousin Sharon Conrad also got a wonderful video of Bryan (featuring Ava) at the EskDale Summer Concert Series: HERE (This one is my favorite)

So awesome! Or as Charlie Sheen would say: WINNING!

LOL

Hope you enjoy the videos!

P.S. A huge thanks to Sharon !!!!