Rain Doesn't Stop the Fun

Memorial Day dawned here with clouds, thunder, lightning, and lots of rain.  Our plans  for the day were to go to a local state park with beautiful day area accommodations to grill, fish, hike, and relax. After looking at the weather forecast, we saw that there was a window of about 3-4 hours without rain, and we decided to go for it.

The skies were overcast, and the air was just a bit cool with a hint of dampness to it.  We thought we might find ourselves alone at the park... but everyone else had the same idea we did - enjoy the weather - rain or shine!  The lake docks were full of people fishing, and we were lucky to find a nice day use campsite close to the lake.

This particular lake is part of a state park, and has lots of wonderful amenities that making camping easier.  One of those things is two long fishing docks that extend way out into the lake.  Even with the weather being forbidding, the docks were full of families fishing.

This lake also has a beautiful beach area that is always popular with the children.  Several children - even in this cool weather - came running down the beach and went splashing in the water.  I really think children operate on different internal thermometers than adults!  You sure wouldn't catch me splashing in that cold water, but the kids didn't seem to mind it a bit!

After a family vacated the pavilion next to our camping site, we decided to inhabit the vacant site, after the rain started back up.  We enjoyed listening to the rain pour, as we stood around the indoor pavilion, and roasted marshmallows and ate watermelon.

Soon the rain tapered off, and the lake became quiet and still as glass.

Once the rain seemed to have stopped, we decided to walk through the woods.  We saw this gorgeous Lady's Slipper blooming along the trail.

I never cease to be amazed at the intricate beauty found in wildflowers!

The kids discovered some honeysuckle blooming in the trees.  We all got a handful of the lovely blooms, and sucked the sweetness out of each little bloom... what joy!

The trail was wide, well marked, and the fresh smell of rain was quite fragrant as we walked, sucking on our honeysuckle sugar...

Wild roses were popping their fresh pink faces out and their fragrance filled the air...

Oh how lovely to walk, and enjoy, the beautiful wildflowers blooming happily away in the midst of the forest green.

Not sure what this wildflower is called (need to remember to ask my son), but thought it was pretty, and took a picture to share.

At last we came to the little stream that came pouring out of the lake, headed downstream...

And the rain began again! We all took shelter under a large grand fir for a few minutes, and then decided to cross to the other side of the stream.

We entered a very thick forest of cedar and fir, and the large branches just about blocked out all the rain.  We also saw a little teepee of sorts, that someone had constructed.

We turned to walk back to the camp site, as it looked like the rain wasn't about to quit.  However, about halfway back, the rain stopped, and we found more honeysuckle....

As we drove home from a wonderful day spent at the lake, the clouds were parting, and the cool air was mixing with the warm soil that caused a lovely mist in the air.  We enjoyed the beautiful skies as we drove home, completely relaxed, and thankful to have spent the day outside, in spite of the rain, thanking the Lord for our family, our friends, and this great country we live in that we can enjoy such beautiful freedoms.  We are blessed!