State Park Weekend {Part A: Sylvan Lake}

Saturday (January 17th) was a lovely day and we decided we needed to get out of the house to do a little exploring.  Not too far down the road, South of Eagle is a state park that we hadn't visited before (let's be honest, we haven't visited very many state parks in the first place).  Callie ended up having an early nap that day, thus leading to an earlier wake-up right around noon, so it worked out perfectly for us to head out then.  We took our snowshoes, the backpack and our winter weather gear (even though it was quite warm in the sunshine) and set out on an adventure to Sylvan Lake (which, Gregg will point out, is actually a reservoir).

We hiked the 1 1/2 mile loop around the "lake", enjoying the views of the ice fishermen as we passed.  I'm sure they enjoyed (or maybe just wondered at) the conversation coming from Callie in the backpack the whole trek: "One, twee, six, seven, eight, Ten!  Again!  Again!"  And on and on.  We hung out in the parking lot for a bit, letting Cal test out her snow legs.  She did great tromping around in her itty bitty boots in a skiff of snow.

After Sylvan Lake, we drove up the other fork of the park to see what we could see.  We passed some yurts and then came to the end of the road which was full of parked snowmobile trailers and cars.  We made a uey and then headed back to Eagle for a few minutes of frigid swinging (it's our reward for Callie for being so good in the car after we go on such adventures) and dinner at Moe's.  Oh yeah.  I call that a Saturday!

(Speaking of Saturday, Callie learned this weekend what "Saturday" really means - she now knows that Dad doesn't go to work, so we "play" and have "fun!"  The whole drive she kept saying "Saturday!  Play!  Fun!"  We all like Saturdays in our house, that's for sure.)

A little history of the "lake".

All that to the left of the bank is frozen,
snow-covered lake.

I really love the red rocks/dirt that show up around Eagle.

Family pic taken by some nice hikers we passed.
They thought Cal's glasses were rockin'.  I have to agree.

Such a pretty day!

A little downhill section (with
unintentional lens flare happening).

Another view across the lake - note the tiny frozen fishermen
hanging out just past the shadowy section.

Here's the inlet.

The snow was super pillowy at this end.

Just a pretty snow-covered log.

Just a cheesy grin from my babe.

Heading back towards the parking lot on the other side of the lake.

Cuties.

Not a bad view.

Here is where some serious counting was going down by the
hikers ahead of me.

Snow trompin' like a boss.

This is the view at the end of the road where all the snow-
mobile traffic was parked.  I think that's New York Mountain
in the distance.