Lava Adventures

Last weekend we had an opportunity to go camping at Lava Hot Springs with friends and family. Having never been there I didn't really know what to expect, but Lori was well informed and had done a lot of research so we packed up our camping gear and headed to Idaho.
She made us a great campsite reservation that was central to everything. The River was a stones throw, the pool was a short jaunt, and the grocery store (where morning coffee was appreciated) was a mere 5 minute stroll. Lava was like going back in time to a dusty little town where everything is within walking distance, shoes cost $3.00, and they run out of tater tots at the local restaurant.

Grandma and Grandpa were even up for the trip, only theirs involved being turned away from their Hotel reservation at 11:00 at night.
Morning Chow Line... Gma & Gpa made delicious breakfast burrito's


One of the boys favorite activities... anytime of the day or night... was to go sit in the warm water being spewed from these rocks. The river was dang cold, but the water here was toasty I hear.

Our days were filled mostly with pool time. Lava has an Olympic sized pool with 4 diving boards, 3 dive platforms ranging in height from 15 feet to 33 feet (OUCH!!), toddler sized slides, pre-teen sized slides, and adult sized slides. We did them all, several times.

Jake and Zac tandem jumping... Jake high, Zac low


waiting in line for their turn...

Justin and Loree chillin' it in the sun...

Friends Marianne & Jeremy with their boys Oakley and Gage watching the diving chaos.


Luke braving the high platform.

A triumphant escape


Jake and Zac jumping from platform #1 (they did both eventually do #2, but Mom wouldn't let them venture up to #3)

Not to be outdone Nash jumping from up high... point your toes and cross your arms and legs!!!

Zac is ready to become a man and handle knives and things laced with testosterone so Justin and Bodie were gracious enough to teach him how to whittle with a pocketknife. He spent hours on that stick only to loose it the morning we left to come home. :(

As camping requires, we spent lots of hours sitting around the campsite chatting about summertime subjects, spraying down Shelbie with Solarcaine, feeding Jeremy antihistamines when he had an allergic reaction to corn, etc.

We talked in to the wee hours of the morning (which when you're nearing 40 means around 11:00 PM) even outlasting some of the kids.
Here's Zac snug as a bug in a pink blankie.

Our last day was supposed to be river rafting day. I've either failed as a mother, or succeeded because my boys were scared to death of the thought of it. I have spent the entire summer warning them against the dangers of moving waters and to stay as far away from them as possible. Then I put them in a tube, shove them down a river, and tell them to "Have Fun!" Needless to say, they were freaked and one time was all it lasted.
Others are braver than we... here they are tubing

and exiting the river

As I get older I find myself fonder and fonder of the 'Hotel vacations'. I knew it would come eventually. I am my mothers daughter. I do still enjoy a good camping trip now and then though and this one ranked up there. Love spending quality time with my big bro. Love eating corn on the cob straight off the grill. Love watching my dog be muddy for 4 days with a big smile on her furry little face. Love listening to my biggest boob, Luke, complain about everything camping related. Not love the 5 hours rainstorm we endured on our last night.


Later lava...

PS. My favorite part of the trip was the Hot Mineral Pools. I highly recommend them and would love to go back and sit in them when there is snow about!