Playing in Bear Lake

My brave little Prince Tyger's trek last month through the western United States with his parents had many highlights, although the Tyger himself usually slept on the road in between stops.  That was probably the best thing for him because the poor little guy had an ear infection and was pretty miserable while it lasted.  As all parents learn very quickly, when the little ones don't feel well, life is not easy.  At all.  So, they snapped a few shots to remind them that their little guy is usually a real sweetheart and charmer - and especially when he is totally sacked out - even with part of his most recent meal on his eyebrow.

But he woke up to enjoy Bear Lake, when they had nearly reached Utah.  This is a natural freshwater lake, more than 250,000 years old, located on the Idaho-Utah border.  Because there are suspended limestone deposits that give its water a unique turquoise hue, it has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies."

Of course, because it was early evening before Prince Tyger and Big T were able to get into the water, the lake's unique turquoise color was not as evident as it probably would have been had the sun been higher in the sky.  Still, as has been amply demonstrated, Prince Tyger is a big fan of water in every setting he has so far experienced (ocean, bathtub, water drinking fountain, water park fountain, etc.), so he took to mountain lake water with his usual gusto.  Big T decided that the prudent course was to follow him in.

The Tyger probably could have gone on until his feet went out from under him, but the wash from a speeding boat left some small waves - not too tiny if you're just under three feet tall.  So Big T had to "rescue" our intrepid Prince,

who, like his cousin Princess Butterfly, loves to fly high in the air.

Prince Tyger also seized a few moments to blow bubbles and then brushed water from his face after those experiments.

"OK, Daddy, all done!"

He was ready for another adventure. Fortunately for all, they saw no actual bears at Bear Lake. And Prince Tyger didn't even realize what he was missing.