Outdoor Adventure - Corkins 2008

As many of you know, we rent a cabin every year at Corkins Lodge in Chama, NM. This year, we had to go early in order for both boys to be able to come, since football was nearly starting (the Monday we got back), we had to go when they had a break. So, June 6-9 was our family vacation...probably one of the last couple with Travis (hopefully not). For the first time since we've been going, the waterfalls were "falling" off the cliffs - Chama had record snowfall this past winter of 100+ inches...so there was plenty of run-off. It was beautiful, awesome really, and the boys even hiked up to the base of the waterfall.

We had a great time - not only were our Mimi and Papa there, but so was our nephew/cousin, Nico, and our friends the Renterias (who we've known since Jay and Drew were 3 or 4) and Uncle John and Aunt Annette...we had such a memorable, relaxing time....

Jay, Javier, Jessica & Bev

Jessica & Javier

Jessica & Alicia

Travis, Javier, Trey

Papa - always fooling around and making us laugh!

Alicia & Bev

Cousin Torture

Drew & Jay

As always, we fished...some of us more than others. We have a family contest every year, which consists of "First Fish Caught", "Most Fish Caught" and "Biggest Fish Caught" (not fish story, but actual fish). Bella won this year for first fish caught and biggest fish caught (only fish caught, actually...she quit while she was ahead) and Paige was not far behind - her fish was only 1/4" smaller than Bella's. Trey won for most fish caught because he was the only one devoted enough to go 2-3 times a day to fish!

I think the boys have outgrown Corkins a bit, or at least have found other things to do besides fish and swim. They spent a lot of time trying to bait a racoon that became a frequent visitor on our cabin porch...don't worry, no animals were hurt in this adventure. They also hiked a lot (an easy getaway from parental units) and took a "newby" snipe hunting...Bella is still waiting for the day she gets to go! I learned on this trip that no matter how old boys are, they still like to pick up rocks and sticks...boys will be boys (no matter how old they are)!

This is a common pose among men in our household for some reason (see "Trey's new ride" blog)

Travis, in preparation for football, actually brought his 25 lb weights and worked out (and ran) everyday...

But then he was tired...missed a fish:


As adults, we enjoyed time by the pool playing cards, swimming, visiting aka eating (ha ha), reading. And by night, we all had a fun game night and played "Mafia" and "Go Fish."






Some "new generation" kids couldn't tear themselves away from electronic devices and a movie that some other family brought (Jessica!)...but wasn't cracked up to be the 54" flat screen they're used to - so counts as "roughing it."


And there was the usual roasting marshmallows by the wood burning stove (?) to make s'mores...which we then all had to 'hike off' the next day! :) And a lot of swimming...




We didn't see hardly any deer this year, but A LOT of chipmunks...which you could hold if you wanted to - and some turkey. The landscape was beautiful, lush and green, as well and the river was swelled and running so fast it made it difficult to fish in.

Good times...

P.S. I WAS there...I am always the photographer and when I said something to Trey about not being in any pictures, he picked up the camera and took a shot...this was the result (lovely!). Proof, nonetheless!!