This summer has been a whirlwind of visiting new places, hanging out with family and friends, and trying to stay semi-caught up with work and life in the midst of all the traveling. It has been good and it has been exhausting, and it is not over yet.
A little over a week ago, we went camping in Idaho for Micah's family reunion. His family has a week long reunion every four years. They pick different places each time and it is a huge gathering of around 75+ people. This was my second family reunion and my first time in Idaho.
Lake Pend Oreille is a massive lake, spanning 65 miles long and some parts are over 1,000 feet deep. The military actually uses the lake for submarine research because it is so deep! It's beautiful and I didn't even see more than the small area where we were located.
I turned my phone on only 1 time during the 4 days that we were there and it was spectacular. I didn't check my email, or look at facebook, or respond to text messages. I was completely unplugged and it was gloriously liberating. I need to do this more often, for no other reason than it feels good to "go rogue" from being overly connected.
Friday was whitewater rafting day. We were on the Clark Fork River in Montana (another first time for me in another state). The river was a blast and I only almost fell out of the raft once, so I consider it a rafting success. That shake below is Huckleberry, which I guess is all the rage in the montana/idaho area. We indulged in them on our two and a half hour trek back to Idaho after rafting. It was well worth the pit stop.
Camping would not be camping if s'mores were not involved. And, boy, were they involved. I am now informed that they make marshmallows in every shape and size in an effort to improve the s'more equation. But, the classic marshmallow is the perfect amount of marshmallow to chocolate to graham cracker ratio. Don't mess with success, folks.
A family reunion of 75+ people feels very intimidating to an introvert like me, but Micah's family is so incredibly understanding and welcoming. Slowly, I am becoming more and more comfortable with his outgoing extended family. And, I think it will just get better over time.
