Echo Lake in Montana is probably one of my favorite places on the planet. Growing up we spent almost every summer there with our Baldry and Stone cousins. We had Hicken reunions there. I have so many memories of Echo Lake; I love everything about it...starting with the drive there through the Montana mountains, singing Marie Osmond's "Meet Me in Montana" with Christy. Always dreaming that we could stop at the House of Mystery, and one day Dad and Uncle Roger finally giving in. Driving into Kalispell for shopping trips, buying the "HO", yes we had a waterski that was called the "HO". Crying in the middle of the lake while the boat drivers had fun inflicting pain upon us while we road the yellow banana. Going to Big Sky waterslide for the day. Hunting for craw dads at night, Grandpa Hicken popping an entire raw egg in his mouth and chewing it down. Eating Montana cherries until we were sick...Staying in the 4 little fishing cabins...Having sleepovers with Aunt Mo on the trampoline (our parents always brought the trampoline in the boat) And of course we can't forget the "Cheetah", the fastest little boat around. I still remember the day Dad and Uncle Roger told us they were buying a boat. We didn't believe it til we saw it. It was know also as the "Indian Cruiser". Going over Logan's Pass, which, if you've never been, is the most breathtaking drive on the earth... Going over Logan's Pass with a 18 year old Chayston driving the red and black pick up truck ...speeding over the mountain pass and hoping I would survive without plummeting over the edge of the cliff....aaah. (I am not sure how that would impress a girl, but it worked. Darla and Chay have been married for like 17 years or something!) Good times! And I can't forget the drive back...not making it to the US/Canadian border crossing before it closed and popping out the tent trailer right there in the road.
That's why after not going to Echo Lake since I was pregnant with Payson I was so happy to return. We recreated some of those memories with the Hill family this summer and I'm hoping the tradition is alive again!
