In another stroke of superb timing, the rain stopped falling on Friday morning just as we emerged from our tents. Look at these lucky ducks!
Juliette has loved, loved, loved having our buddy Jordan around this summer – he’s got such a gentle, silly soul that really speaks to the spirit of our five year-old.
We truly had nowhere to be on Friday, so breakfast was extra-long and followed by a La Croix chugging contest between Jordan and Jack.
This is what you call “making your own fun” for the 40-and-over crowd, I think?
Jordan was strangely amped-up after downing 12 ounces of seltzer water in 15 seconds flat and challenged the guys to a swim across the lake. “Across the lake” is a loooong way, so Juliette and I tagged along on the paddleboard to keep an eye on them.
They actually made it quite a ways out there before turning around. Nance, Isaiah, Jules and I herded them back to shore.
I don’t know that there was a single moment over the next several hours when there wasn’t someone out in the water, paddling or floating or swimming or wading. We had all found our happy places.
Oh, Jordan. Always good for a laugh.
These three-dollar Target floaties are by far my best bang-for-the-buck summer purchase!
This is summer, folks.
We brought the party back to camp late in the afternoon, where we changed into dry clothes and popped open a cold bottle of rose. First though, ice cream appetizers at the general store.
Remember that job interview Shane had to stay back in Seattle for on Wednesday? It went well.
La Verne and I went for a sunset stroll after dinner along the trail to the Lake Quinault Lodge, and ho-ly golden hour, this place glows.
The Rust clan headed out to the Hoh Rainforest on Saturday morning while we stayed back with the Chens for a nearer-by hike.
This icy little creek was the perfect place for Shane to cool his heels.
Buddies!
…and buddies!
We scrambled over some roots, crossed a bridge, and then bee-lined back to camp to change into our swimsuits.
We did more paddling and floating and played a few rousing rounds of log-jousting, which the kids thought was hilarious.
By this point in the weekend we had depleted our beer and wine rations, so we headed to the lodge before dinner to sip margaritas and watch the kids play tag on the nicest lawn ever.
We convened at camp for one last sunset, one last round of s’mores, one last night at what was shaping up to be my new favorite spot to pitch our tent.
Hard as it was to leave our idyllic lakeside compound, we were all in pretty desperate need of a shower by Sunday morning, so we packed it up right after breakfast, snapped a few pics, and hit the road.
Juliette’s goodbye with the Rust family was drawn-out but so sweet. Bunch of huggers, these five!
‘Till next year, you crazy cats. Quinault 2020?
