Cabin Fever

According to Webster's dictionary, "cabin fever" is defined as:  "extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time."  

I know it sounds odd, but it is not hard to suffer from cabin fever during a summer in the Arizona desert.  When it is a million degrees outside and you live in a tiny house like we do, it is very, very easy to suffer from cabin fever.  However, we have discovered the perfect cure - pack up and go to the cabin - a.k.a. - The Lambson Lodge.  

We were lucky enough to get to go three different times this summer.  Well, Joe and I did - Brian only got to go once, but hey, once is better than nothing.  On the first trip up, we had Dallin with us.  Joe and Dallin met a friend on the way:

The best thing about the cabin is that the weather is gorgeous and there are so many things to do OUTDOORS.  Here is Joe on the top of Greens Peak.  I never know if it is one word or two - Greens Peak, or Greenspeak.  The second was reads like "green speak" to me, so I always separate it into two words.   Anyway.....
Joe and Dallin crossing the river in Greer.  Gotta love Greer, and gotta ALWAYS stop for ice cream.  Joe once said that we HAD to stop because it is the best ice cream in the world and that we might not get a chance to have some again for a while.  I told him that it was Breyer's and that you could get it at any grocery store.  We stopped anyway.  I guess when you are eating it in a waffle cone on the patio of an ice cream shop in Greer, then it just might BECOME the best ice cream in the world.  He's all about tradition.  We've done it once, now we have to stop EVERY time.  I'm not complaining.  
On our second trip we were accompanied by the Trezise Clan (plus Michael - I guess he kind of counts as part of their clan, he practically lives at their house), my mom and dad, and Addy and Ro.  I just loved this picture of Joe and Addy on Greens Peak.  He's holding her hand - aww, so sweet.
We made the long trek to Big Lake.  We were in the car for over an hour, thank goodness I rode with Sheri.  I would not have wanted to drive through the torrential downpour that she had to face.  It wasn't raining yet at the lake, but it was cold.  Isn't Ro adorable?
The boys number one task:  Look for crawdads.  
One of my favorite girls on the planet:
Our final trip was probably Joe's favorite.  It was the first time he got to invite friends (other than cousins) to go on a trip with him.  They had a blast.  Here they are in the car after having stayed up almost the entire night before.  Not kidding - it was 4:30 a.m. before they fell asleep and they were up by 7:00.  Crazies!
Another trip to Greer:  It's to beautiful to pass up.
Walking the river:
Off to Big Lake for some swimming.  The water was freezing - I can't believe they actually got in, but they did.  His friends had gone under the water, but Joe hadn't yet.  They dared him to do it, and of course, if your friends dare you, you HAVE to do it.  Those are his glasses he is holding out of the water.  
And of course, no trip would be complete without a ride on the ranger.  Joe wasn't going to let a little rain stop him.
A little windblown, but still happy:
In addition to all of the outdoor fun, we watch movies, play laser tag, bananagrams, scattergories, yahtzee and tons of other games.  The best thing about the cabin is that the days seem to be endless.  You can pack so much fun into one day, that it seems like you've been there a week.  

We can't wait to go again - when is fall break?