Dinkey Creek

No wifi, no TV… it’s been such a peaceful and cleansing experience away from technology, especially for the kids.

There’s a group of preteens here that Ava has had fun hanging around with. They walk to the volleyball court and play volleyball. She missed them this evening, so Adrian walked her down and then met met back at the camp fire. Jack finally roasted a “perfect” marshmallow, and Pete snuggled in my arms, missing Ava until she returned.

We rented pontoon boats and headed out in Shaver Lake earlier today. We found a sandy beach spot and fished and hung out in the sand. The kids played in the water. Ava built a shelter like the ones we’ve seen on alone. Both Pete and his cousin Jo fell asleep on the boat on the way back. Before heading back to Dinkey, we picked up some mouse traps, steel wool, and electrical tape, to try to mouseproof the cabin. It’s a quaint and rustic bare bones cabin which has been wonderful for us except for the small mouse issue.

When we arrived yesterday, the kids were excited to see there are bunk beds and the Martin boys have BB guns and cool electric bikes. I think they’ll ask for BB guns for Christmas. We set up a tent for them and set out the toys we’d brought, a ball game, some nature puzzles, and some plastic farm animals and dinosaurs. All the kids loved it. They pulled out a rock painting set and the little boys all painted rocks- but mostly their skin. Ava later hid the rocks for them and they found them like an Easter egg hunt. They were still finding some today.

Ava asked if we can do this every year. That’s such a win. My friend/cousin Allie and her family grew up coming to Dinkey every summer as a family tradition. Since she married my cousin Ty, we’ve sort of become part of the family. But really even without that relation, I’m sure they would’ve gladly included us- the whole family is just wonderful, especially Allie whom I’ve known since Kindergarten at Oak Valley.

An unlikely blessing- I went to take a shower today in the communal showers. There was no one there, so I left the shower door open a bit so I could see the trees. The water was warm and the crisp mountain air was cool. It was my favorite shower that I’ve ever taken.