Rex took Friday off so we decided to take our new boat out for a spin. After several checks and rechecks of the engine, and all the shenanigans that come with using a boat we were on our way. We decided to go to Yale Lake. It's about an hour drive north of our house at the base of Mt. St. Helens.About 20 minutes into the drive, and after 2 stops Wyatt realized the his life jacket was not in the boat. All of the kids got new life jackets with the exception of Wyatt. This is a funny story in itself. When a child is under 50 lbs., they are required to wear a life jacket with a strap that is attached to the back of the jacket, goes between their legs
and buckles in front. Affectionately named the "crotch strap" by Wyatt. This prevents the life jacket from slipping off while in the water. Brody is 51 lbs. so he was able to get a "crotch strap-free" life jacket. Wyatt on the other hand weighs 43 lbs., and is as skinny as a rail so he still has to wear the one with the strap. As we were shopping for new jackets for the family Wyatt refused to by a new one. He is positive that by next year he will hit the magical 50 lbs. and will not need the "dumb little kid jacket" anymore. Either way. All the new jackets made it into the boat, but Wyatt's old one was still in the garage. We stopped at Fred Meyers on the way and bought him a new one. By this time it was late morning and we were worried about being able to launch so late in the day. As we passed through Ariel ( a small town on the way to the lake) we began to notice several boats hauling their boats in the opposite way of the lake. We took this to mean one of two things. Either 1. the lake was full and they were not letting anymore boats launch, or 2. they fishermen had already caught their limit out there and were on their way back home. We were hoping for the latter. Speelieye Bay is about 6 or 7 miles closer than Yale so we decided that we should try and launch at the closest place and turned in there. As we followed the beautiful, tree lined road down to the launch we continued to see more boats leaving, and our hopes for a launch were starting to fade. As we turned the bend and the parking lot and launch came into view it was virtually empty! YES!, we were going to be able to go out after all! We began talking to the Forestry Service worker and she told us they were packed in the early morning with fisherman, but that they had all caught their limit of Sockeye Salmon and were heading home.
and buckles in front. Affectionately named the "crotch strap" by Wyatt. This prevents the life jacket from slipping off while in the water. Brody is 51 lbs. so he was able to get a "crotch strap-free" life jacket. Wyatt on the other hand weighs 43 lbs., and is as skinny as a rail so he still has to wear the one with the strap. As we were shopping for new jackets for the family Wyatt refused to by a new one. He is positive that by next year he will hit the magical 50 lbs. and will not need the "dumb little kid jacket" anymore. Either way. All the new jackets made it into the boat, but Wyatt's old one was still in the garage. We stopped at Fred Meyers on the way and bought him a new one. By this time it was late morning and we were worried about being able to launch so late in the day. As we passed through Ariel ( a small town on the way to the lake) we began to notice several boats hauling their boats in the opposite way of the lake. We took this to mean one of two things. Either 1. the lake was full and they were not letting anymore boats launch, or 2. they fishermen had already caught their limit out there and were on their way back home. We were hoping for the latter. Speelieye Bay is about 6 or 7 miles closer than Yale so we decided that we should try and launch at the closest place and turned in there. As we followed the beautiful, tree lined road down to the launch we continued to see more boats leaving, and our hopes for a launch were starting to fade. As we turned the bend and the parking lot and launch came into view it was virtually empty! YES!, we were going to be able to go out after all! We began talking to the Forestry Service worker and she told us they were packed in the early morning with fisherman, but that they had all caught their limit of Sockeye Salmon and were heading home.We launched the boat without any problems and were off for a day of adventure.
We spent the day testing out the boat. Driving fast, making wakes, and just having a 
good time. Brody was the first to venture out onto the tube. All the older kids sat in it, but Brody was the only one brave enough to take a ride; hopping in and out of the wake. He kept asking to go faster and faster-he is defiantly a Harper. Even though it was almost 80* outside the water temp. was 57*. The lake is at the base of Mt. St. Helens and there for run-off water!
good time. Brody was the first to venture out onto the tube. All the older kids sat in it, but Brody was the only one brave enough to take a ride; hopping in and out of the wake. He kept asking to go faster and faster-he is defiantly a Harper. Even though it was almost 80* outside the water temp. was 57*. The lake is at the base of Mt. St. Helens and there for run-off water! 
We were out on the lake for almost 5 hours. The kids all got used to being on the boat, even Hudson had a good time. He took a nap under the steering wheel and drove the boat with dad. It was so nice to have the lake almost virtually to ourselves. I am sure that is the last time this summer that will happen. We are looking forward to a summer filled with, sun, water, and great memories.
2 comments:
Fun, fun, fun pic's!!! Wyatt is a funny boy!!! Looks like you guys will have fun this summer, enjoy!!!!!!!
I miss my parents boat! We had such fun times on it! You guys will make so many fun memories with yor new toy!!
Post a Comment