Day 30: A Baer Encounter at String Lake

We were up early to claim a prime spot at String Lake. This is one of Rob’s favorite things to do in Jackson, and we all have a blast there. There was plenty of parking, but it was quickly filled before we were finished unloading. Nicole and her family were going to meet us there later, and we took two cars, so we were able to park at both ends of a trailer parking spot and save the middle spot for them.

Once at the lake we were able to set up in our go-to spot. We’ve loved making memories in the same spot each year: Cooper obsessed with walking over a root when he was 2, Nicholas having our first and only leech experience, and countless memories playing and paddling in the water.

Nicholas found these lily pads left by someone else and loved walking them around like a train making cargo deliveries and seeing what would still float on top of them.

We took a family paddle across the lake. It is one of the first times Rob and I have been in the same boat, and it was amazing how fast we could get across the lake when we both paddled.

Shortly after our little kayak excursion, the Baer family arrived. Meeting up involved some pre-work to share our predicted beach location, since there’s usually no cellphone reception in the park, but it all worked out perfectly.

Brian and Rob were quick to hop into the innertubes and enjoy a beer while chilling in the lake. Dylan+Wyatt and Cooper+Nicholas each took out a kayak to paddle around and explore, too.

After hours at the lake, we decided it was time to head back to the house so we could get showered and unpacked.

The Baers treated us all to dinner at Snake River brewery. The wait was over an hour for a party of 10, so that gave us the perfect opportunity to walk around the town before our table was ready. A stop at the candy store was a must for their family.

Some fun facts about these antler arches: there is one on each corner of the town square, they are rebuilt every 30-40 years, they weigh ~12,000lbs, they consist of ~3,ooo antlers, and the first one was built in 1958.

Dinner was delicious, as we all gathered around a picnic table outside with yummy food, dinner, and wonderful company. We ended the meal with ordering my favorite s’mores dessert for the table to share.

Since we were able to get the RV in the driveway, we were able to offer the Baers a chance to stay at Rob’s parents’ house. Jackson is amazing, but the lodging is so expensive: the cheapest motel in town is still $350 a night this time of year. Rob and I stayed in the RV, and we had planned for the boys to stay out there with us, too, but they really wanted to share the double bunk room with Dylan and Wyatt. They agreed, so all four boys were in one room together for a big slumber party both nights. It feels so nice to know that once our kids are asleep they are going to sleep through the night until their internal 7 a.m. alarms wake them up.