Caddo Lake

The Pereda side of the family headed out to Caddo lake a few weekends ago to have a nice little trip! It turned out fantastic, though not exactly what we were picturing. Kevin and I hadn't looked anything up about the place we were staying at and just packed for a weekend at the lake. Caddo lake isn't at all like a lake you would normally think of (at least we didn't think so)! It was a beautiful swampy serene area in way East Texas. The other side of it is Louisiana.  There were huge cypress trees with Spanish Moss hanging from them and it looked like a painting.

Here is Damian relaxing on the front porch of the cabins. There were four cabins with a center kitchen and another trailer back behind them.



Mom and Dad got working on dinner for Friday night.



Aunt Sara and Damian enjoyed reading a few books on the porch swing.



Nutmeg, Aticus, and Johnny and Gilrose's dogs all made the trip too!



Damian liked gathering the pine cones!



The Land Rover made it with very sweaty Mat and Anna! They got plenty of thumbs up on the drive. Here are the group pictures, one with Sara and one with Mom!







Aticus took right to his water dog roots! He loved swimming out in the water. Whenever anyone went out in the canoes he would try and corral them back. At first it was funny, but he wouldn't come back until everyone was back in and we all started to get worried about him. Everyone came close and he got back on land and then Sara had to hold him so he wouldn't go out again!



Dad enjoying the outdoors!



Aunt Gilrose was happy getting some Clare time!



Enjoying the air-conditioner!



This is what happens when the camera is in the freezing air-conditioned room and then we bring it out to take pictures. Oh well it was the only shot we got with all four of us!



Mom and Dad pretending to relax while posing for the camera! They were trying to look like they were in mid swing.



The dock



The boys fishing. They didn't have much luck on the trip fishing, but had a great time trying. Damian loves touching the worms and always needs a bath right afterward. Since we have gotten back they have taken a few mini fishing mornings.



One of the only fish of the trip!



Saturdaymorning the McDonalds arrived, some of us headed out on kayaks to do some fishing and some headed to a small flea market in Uncertain Texas, but we left pretty much empty handed. Dad got a knife for Mat, but that was it. On the way back home a huge rain storm hit. I was worried because Mat, Damian and Kevin were out in a canoe and Sean and Brody were in kayaks. We got back from the flea market and grabbed umbrellas to take to the dock and see how Damian was doing. It took a few more minutes, but then we some them coming. Kevin said Damian was so brave. He did great for a bit and cried for about 30 seconds and then was okay again. We got the wet clothes off of him and he was happy again! Kevin's phone wasn't so lucky, but it was under warranty so no big deal!

That evening we headed to a paddle boat ride. It was one of our favorite parts of the trip. It wasn't too large of a boat and we got to see all sorts of wild life and the captain (who had grown up in the area) told us about the history of the area and lots of other things. When we got home we ate a yummy shrimp boil dinner and the headed to bed.



Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Mass. It was a beautiful little white Church and the people were so friendly. We were invited to the fellowship hall for coffee and even spoke with the priest for a bit! When we got back we packed up and most everyone left. Kevin Damian and Mat headed back out to fish a little more and Clare and I took a nap. When they got back we all headed back to Arlington with a fun pit stop at Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Richards!

It was a great trip and we can't wait to go again (maybe when it's a little cooler)!