A Perfect Day at Meeks Lake

Some days on the road are packed with hiking, sightseeing, and checking items off the bucket list. Other days are much simpler.

Saturday at Meeks Lake was one of those simple days. We woke up after sleeping in, had a simple morning at camp and headed up to the high country for a simple day of fishing and relaxing.

Tucked high in the mountains outside of Torrey, Utah, Meeks Lake offered a welcome escape from the desert heat below. We even had a sprinkle of rain Saturday afternoon, which was welcomed by most of the family. The drive into the mountains was beautiful, with cool temperatures, tall pine trees, and incredible views that felt completely different from the red rock landscapes we had been exploring all week. Jessie was in his element seeing the tall pine trees, enjoying the cool breeze coming in the window and seeing something different than the red rocks that have been our view for the past several weeks. =)

We arrived in the mid morning with fishing rods, snacks, lunch, and no real agenda other than spending the day together.

The kids immediately spread out along the shoreline and started fishing. Cast after cast, they worked the lake all day long. There was plenty of excitement as fish after fish found its way to shore. Every few minutes someone would be yelling for help, showing off a catch. Hudson had many catches of seaweed, although he had a very successful day of fishing as well. Macie and Lincoln had more fish than seaweed! They found simple pleasures, in the bugs and butterflies, as well as the scenery around them.

Meanwhile, I found a comfortable spot near the water, opened my book, and enjoyed something that can be hard to find on a long road trip—an afternoon with nowhere to be.

There was something relaxing about sitting beside the lake, reading, and occasionally looking up to watch the kids race toward another fish on the end of their line.

As lunchtime rolled around, we gathered together along the shoreline and enjoyed a simple picnic. Nothing fancy—just good food, fresh mountain air, and beautiful scenery. Looking out across the lake while surrounded by the forest made it one of those meals that somehow tastes better simply because of where you're eating it.

The fishing only got better after lunch.

The highlight of the day came when Hudson landed his very first brook trout.

His excitement was impossible to miss. He proudly held up his fist and yelled, “OH YEAH! MY FIRST BROOK TROUT!!” while the rest of us gathered around to admire it and snap a few photos. There's something special about catching your first fish of a species, and Hudson's smile said everything that needed to be said.

The kids continued catching fish throughout the afternoon, and before long we decided to keep one to bring back for dinner.

For our family, fishing has never been just about catching fish. It's about spending time together, learning patience, enjoying the outdoors, and creating memories that last long after the trip is over. Bringing home a fish to eat felt like the perfect ending to a successful day on the water.

As the afternoon sun began to sink lower in the sky, we packed up our gear and made the drive back down the mountain.

Looking back, there wasn't anything extraordinary about the day. We didn't complete a major hike. We didn't visit a famous landmark. We didn't accomplish anything that would show up on a travel brochure.

But it ended up being one of our favorite days of the week.

The kids spent an entire day fishing. Hudson caught his first brook trout. We shared lunch by the water. I finished several chapters of my book. We brought home a fish for dinner.

Most importantly, we spent the day together.

Sometimes the best memories from a road trip come from the simplest adventures, and our day at Meeks Lake was a perfect reminder of that.

-Kayla

Meeks Lake

A Perfect Day at Meeks Lake

St George, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park: