Day 6 – Vermilion Dam Lodge
Another beautiful day! I’m worried that we’re using up our good-weather allowance on this first part of our trip. I know it can’t last forever. I checked the 10-day forecast for Yellowstone: We’ve got highs of 55 and lows of 35 in store for us by the end of the weekend.
We packed up the pontoon boat this morning and all 11 of us took off to explore Lake Vermilion. Like an ink spot that has dripped and dribbled all over the page, the shape of Vermilion defies description. It covers 40,557 acres with 201 miles of mostly undeveloped, rocky shoreline, more than 350 islands, and countless bays, inlets and narrows. It would take weeks to explore the entire lake. Today we got out of Dago Bay here in the north, through the Oak Narrows into Smart Bay on the far side of Hinsdale Island – maybe 12 miles round-trip, and really just a small corner of this sprawling lake.
We found a campsite on one of the islands and tied up the boat. The kids poked around on the rocks and investigated the site – they were fascinated with the little white biffy throne set back in the woods, and even more tickled to have a chance to use it. After we enjoyed a picnic lunch, the kids tried to catch the elusive crawfish that lurk under rocks underwater, and some of us even swam in the lake, which was several degrees below “refreshing.”
Later this afternoon, we hiked up to the nearby fire tower. It’s on the tallest hill around, and goes 106 steps straight up from there, offering awesome views of the lake, the dam, the river and the surrounding area for miles.
The kids are giddy because tonight is Movie Night at the lodge, and they get to stay up even later than usual. They’re troopers, though! They’re all holding up really well, considering how busy and active they’ve been, and how late their bedtimes have been since our vacation started.
The trailer is officially fixed. What a relief!
Another beautiful day! I’m worried that we’re using up our good-weather allowance on this first part of our trip. I know it can’t last forever. I checked the 10-day forecast for Yellowstone: We’ve got highs of 55 and lows of 35 in store for us by the end of the weekend.
We packed up the pontoon boat this morning and all 11 of us took off to explore Lake Vermilion. Like an ink spot that has dripped and dribbled all over the page, the shape of Vermilion defies description. It covers 40,557 acres with 201 miles of mostly undeveloped, rocky shoreline, more than 350 islands, and countless bays, inlets and narrows. It would take weeks to explore the entire lake. Today we got out of Dago Bay here in the north, through the Oak Narrows into Smart Bay on the far side of Hinsdale Island – maybe 12 miles round-trip, and really just a small corner of this sprawling lake.
We found a campsite on one of the islands and tied up the boat. The kids poked around on the rocks and investigated the site – they were fascinated with the little white biffy throne set back in the woods, and even more tickled to have a chance to use it. After we enjoyed a picnic lunch, the kids tried to catch the elusive crawfish that lurk under rocks underwater, and some of us even swam in the lake, which was several degrees below “refreshing.”
Later this afternoon, we hiked up to the nearby fire tower. It’s on the tallest hill around, and goes 106 steps straight up from there, offering awesome views of the lake, the dam, the river and the surrounding area for miles.
The kids are giddy because tonight is Movie Night at the lodge, and they get to stay up even later than usual. They’re troopers, though! They’re all holding up really well, considering how busy and active they’ve been, and how late their bedtimes have been since our vacation started.
The trailer is officially fixed. What a relief!
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