Bear Lake

One of my favorite places to visit is found on the boarder of Utah and Idaho. I used to feel like it was a hidden treasure, and it is still a treasure, but I think the hidden part is starting to dissolve a little. If you want to reserve a place to stay at, at Bear Lake, sometimes you will need to start in about February to even get a reservation. More and more people are starting to realize how great Bear Lake is. The funny thing is, this lake is COLD, like really COLD. But I still love it. I love the beaches, I love the fresh water, I love the mountain scenery, I love the intimate towns, I love the traditions and more.

I grew up going to Bear Lake every summer for a family reunion on my mom's side of the family and then for my dad's side of the family. My mom's side of the family was a little more torturous because we had to participate in activities and skits all day and then we were allowed to go play on the beach in the late afternoon. Umm... this is when everyone leaves the beach because the sun is starting to go down and it gets a little breezy and usually windy. My dad's family reunions were focused on playing on the beach, in the water and going out on the boat. Being older today; I love looking back at both sets of memories and wouldn't trade them for the world.

Today I am happy going to Bear Lake even for the day and setting up some chairs on the beach, playing in the sand, seeing how far I dare swim out into the lake, having a picnic for lunch, throwing around a Frisbee, playing some sand volleyball and/or just reading a book. I'm never opposed to renting some wave runners though or going out in a boat as well. It's always fun to end the day grabbing a bite to eat at one of the local spots or at least getting a Bear Lake Raspberry shake.

Bear Lake Vacation Guide

Things to do

• Beach time
• Boating
• Kayaking
• Paddle Boarding
• Wave Runners
• Sailing
• Riding bikes on the bike path around the lake
• Golfing
• Pickleville Playhouse
• And lots of winter activities as well

Some of my favorite places to eat

• Bear Lake Pizza: great for groups! And if you have a group big enough, go for the Old Ephraim Pizza - their 28" pizza.
• Cafe Sabor: local mexican restaurant started in Logan, UT.
• LaBeau's: it's the place to make sure to always make a stop at when in Bear Lake; whether it is just for their famous raspberry shakes or some dinner. My favorites are their burgers and corn dogs and I usually order one of each.

Raspberry Shakes
You can't go to Bear lake without getting a famous Raspberry Shake. There are plenty of other shakes to choose from as well but if it is your first time in Bear Lake, you might as well go with tradition.

• LaBeau's: usually a long line but well worth it.
• The Cheveron gas station at the mouth of Logan Canyon also has an ice cream parlor in it and I love to get a raspberry shake with chocolate ice cream here.
• Hometown Drive - in: their shakes usually tower a good 2 inches over the cup.
• Quick-N Tasty: another great and convenient stop before leaving Bear Lake and the shakes do not disappoint.

Hiking! Get Out and Adventure!

Why am I talking about hiking on a travel blog? Well, sometimes the greatest adventures on a vacation involve a hike.

Favorite hikes from my travels:
Mt. Putucusi in Peru (across the way from Machu Picchu)
This was a challenging hike but will probably be number one on my favorites list for the rest of my life. You have to climb ladders to get to the top while also hiking several switch backs. The elevation made it hard. At one point, the friend I was with said, "You are a runner. I play soccer 4 days a week. We are in-shape women! Why are we dying." But then we got to the top and walked around the corner and across the way was Machu Picchu. It was an incredible view and I would tell anyone who was going to Peru to be sure to go on this hike.
Multnomah Falls in Oregon
A fun hike to a beautiful waterfall and it is easy access right off the highway. The great thing about this hike is that it is in two parts. You can hike to the bottom of the waterfall or you can continue on to the top. Depending on your time and energy you may adjust this hike time and distance to fit your schedule.
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine
Hike Cadillac Mountain before the sun comes up and be able to say you were the first person in America that day to see the sun rise. This was an easy hike with a beautiful view and comes with a great memory.

Need some ideas for a hiking vacation?
Being from Utah, there are hiking opportunities everywhere! Hiking is a great way to plan a trip that doesn't cost a lot of money, gets you out into nature, can get you away from crowds, and with a little work put into it, you get to see some amazing scenery.

10 Hikes Every Utahn Should Take Before They Die and Why

Some of my favorite Utah hikes include:
Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon
Naomi Peak in Logan Canyon
Mineral Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Doughnut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Angels Landing in Zions National Park
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

What are some of your favorite hikes?

Announcing a New Adventure!

About a month ago I decided to apply for a volunteer position with HELP International for the summer. I applied for Thailand and Uganda. A few days later I received an interview and a few days after that I was offered the position for Thailand. I will be spending 5 weeks there this summer doing humanitarian work and I am super excited!