Seasons Change

Fall it is, then.

When Kristen and I decided to move to the Bear Lake Valley and become full-time residents, we spoke about how much we were looking forward to experiencing each season for the first time. Most of my prior visits (like everyone else's) were during the summer, spent on the lake with little thought given to the rest of the valley. Now, as we are swiftly coming up on our one-year anniversary as Bear Lake locals, I have a new appreciation for our new home.

Our move coincided with the first significant snowstorm of the winter season. Friends and family had long been warning us that Bear Lake was "cold" and "you know they get a lot of snow up there." While actually moving into our new house during a snowstorm was not ideal (that is a whole story in itself), I came to love winter and can honestly say I am looking forward to round two. Watching the storms move across the lake, the quiet after a snowstorm, clear night skies full of stars, and getting to play with my new snowplow on a regular basis are just a few of my favorite things.

Spring we dubbed "mud season," and it started out a bit rough. I have always been nutty about keeping my vehicles clean, and living at the top of a dirt road treated with mag-water took some adjustment. If you're wondering what the heck mag-water is, it's a solution of magnesium chloride used for dust control and road stabilization. It's also corrosive, and when mag-water-treated road mud dries on your truck, it takes a hammer and chisel to get off. While mud season had its challenges, it also marked the return of hummingbirds, golf, and some of the most amazing sunrises.

Ahh, summer! Summer is when the Bear Lake population explodes. Weekenders here for boating and a raspberry shake, as well as summer residents returning from their winter homes, make for a very different vibe. Some find this difficult and look forward to quieter days, but we enjoyed every minute. Even a North Beach Saturday with its crowds has its appeal. (However, I do draw the line at waiting in line for hours for a raspberry shake.) With summer winding down and fall fast approaching, we are preparing for the next seasonal chapter.

Stay tuned.