Day One of our Labor Day Weekend

Today we began our fun-filled holiday weekend. We got up early and headed out to Lake Mead. We've never been out there, and didn't think there was much to do besides visit the Hoover Dam Visitor's Center (which costs $30/person just to get in! YUCK!). But, we ended up having a really good day!

First, we started out at the old railroad tunnel trailhead. We had full intention of hiking the whole thing, but when we only got 1/4 of the way in and were DRIPPING with sweat, we gave up. Poor Jocey, all she could say was, "Mommy, I hot" and "Daddy, I hot." She looks absolutely miserable in these pictures:


Jocey and Daddy at the start of the trail


Before the "water" turned on...


A view of Lake Mead from the trail


Daddy and Jocey, at the end of the trail - well, at least OUR end


One hot, sweaty family!

Last night, we realized that we would probably be out in the sun the whole time we'd be at the lake, so we made a purchase of a tarp and poles to create a little shade for ourselves. We were the only ones down there that did it, and I am SO grateful that we did. Otherwise, me and Jon would have probably had 3rd degree burns! And, it only took an hour to get the stupid thing up! Yes, I said an hour. We're kind of challenged that way, I guess. And by the time we were done, our clothes were drenched. I didn't think we could sweat any more than we already were. Our friend, Mike Scofield, says that there's two levels to sweating - the first is just dripping, the second is full-on faucet. We were the latter of the two by the end of the morning. Good thing we were able to swim after that!

So anyway, in case you didn't get where we went next by the previous paragraph, we headed down to the lake. We stayed down there for a couple of hours, swimming a little, then eating some lunch, then swimming again, then watching Jocey play in the sand, then swimming one last time. Jocey loved it - she collected some shells, threw rocks in the water, loved to jump up with the waves, and even liked the little school of fish we saw! Jon and I took turns playing with Jocey while the other one swam out almost to the buoy and back. The lake was at least 80 degrees and we probably could have stayed there longer had we not been so tired.


Jocey, before getting in the lake - yes, I said before. I wasn't kidding about how hot it was!


Jocey and Daddy in Lake Mead


Mommy, after the first refreshing dip in the lake - AH, relief is spelled L-A-K-E!


Mommy and Jocey swimming in Lake Mead


So, you'd think I would have put sunscreen on myself? No, just my baby. Yes, I am a stupid woman! Now, we just call me "Tomato Mommy." By the way, Jon's just as bad. :) It's just a more dramatic picture because you can see the lines from my swimsuit.