Family reunion fun

Some of the things we (including all of the extended family) did today:

• swam in the pool
• swam in the hot tub
• swam in several of the lakes (mostly the one behind our lodge)
• caught fish
• played card games
• worked on a puzzle
• played guitars
• played a pickleball tournament
• looked at the stars and felt a sense of existential dread and awe (that was me and Zari!)
• rode bikes
• went on walks
• planned a massive game of capture the flag for tomorrow morning
• sat on the porch or deck and did nothing
• read books

Eric caught a huge trout in the lake, using lots of stealth and a net. It was big enough that he was unsure if he could keep it (fish over a certain size are considered trophy fish and you have to pay $80 to keep them). He let it go and it wasn't acting very well. Eventually it swam off. He tried to find it later in the day. Some of the cousins spotted a large dead fish which we think may have been the same fish.

I went swimming in the lake twice--the water is very clean. There's no lake smell at all during or after swimming.

Even at just half full, the moon is super bright and casts clear shadows. It's so nice to be outside at night and not be attacked by insects (or bears!). There are coyotes here; you can hear them howling and yipping at night.

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American West Road Trip

We completed an important part of American culture: the road trip. We drove from Lake Tahoe to the eastern part of Utah in a bit under 10 hours. Starting from my sister's house in the Bay area, we've driven across California, Nevada, and almost all of Utah.

We're staying at a family reunion resort truly in middle of nowhere, in the middle of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (about 2.5 hrs east of Salt Lake City). We were dubious as we kept going further and further away from any settlements. Even the last few miles, I was wondering if this was going to be like a few huts out in the bare desert.

But it's amazing! There are several lakes, a gorgeous landscape, a huge barn with a professional kitchen and gathering hall, a super fancy lodge that houses 25 people, and several cabins for all of the cousins. There's a pool and a hot tub, pickleball court, bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards...all included! We feel super spoiled here.

The first thing Eric did when we arrived? Put on his swimsuit, grabbed his mask and snorkel, and went freediving in the two nearest lakes. He said it's like swimming in an aquarium; there are tons of huge bass and trout.

Because there's so much to do right here, we won't be doing any excursions (which is fine with me--we did plenty in Lake Tahoe). We just get to stay here and play for a few days.

Last I checked, the teenagers were playing pickleball under huge spotlights. We're super tired from our 5 am wakeup so we're heading to bed.

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