I've shared some heavy stuff on here lately.

Looking back on this time in our lives, I don't want to remember just the tough parts.

Part of the past six months have also been some of the most fun.

Out of the nine years of being married, we've lived here a total of five.

We have seen and introduced our children to more of this area this summer than the past five years combined. They're all at an age that now makes outings possible to manage, and if I time it correctly, everyone is usually napped and fed, including an picnic meal at some point.

I've learned that these outings are my sanity. We leave the house clean and come home to a clean home. The consistent feeding and cleaning that can drive one mad doesn't exist on our adventuring days.

And because of that, I have fallen in love with our routine (aside from the exciting places we visit and the great company that comes along!).

I wanted to write down a few of our favorites, so when the boys are 16, driving, and looking for something to do, their go-to would be this little list, and that somehow, by the brush of a branch or the throw of a rock, it would trigger some divine memory of childhood, as it does with me.

Every time.

Our summer spots:

-Basin Creek

(one of the hidden spots, not the main swimming hole)

-Murphy Ranch

(a bumpy drive, but a real historic/western feel to the setting...where a lot of Little House on the Prairie was filmed)

-Frasier Flat

(not the actual campground, but the trail. Two great swimming spots depending on the time of day)

-Strawberry

(so scenic and secret)

-North Fork

(a smaller creek, but packed with fish)

-Clavey River

(my personal favorite, a bit of a drive, but so spectacular with it's rocky basins and sandy shores)

-Pinecrest Lake

(to be avoided on the weekends, but some special private beaches)

-Twain Harte Lake

(our once-a-week tradition...always a special place in this heart of mine)

-Herring Creek

(great in the spring, a lot of meadows and a large reservoir)

Kennedy Meadows

(always the most special family spot to be--the furthest from us, but worth it)

Lyons Dam

(very close and a fun little hike)

I can't wait until the kids are old enough to handle hiking. There are so many hidden jewels that require a good 4-6 mile hike. There's just something so spiritual about being in the heart of nature without another soul in sight. I've always had some of my greatest talks with God in this setting.
I guess that's why it's been such a deep summer for me!

My river stick collection is getting quite intense. The property and interiors of the house show some definite proof of our adventuring! It makes me so happy. I love that the more nature we explore and the more I allow the kids to bring it in, the more our home shows who we are.

Isn't that how it's supposed to be?!