Goldbug Hot Springs

One of the best things about Idaho is the amazing hot springs found throughout the state!  This past weekend, we decided to pack up and head towards Salmon to check out the springs there.  Before we could hit the trail to Goldbug, we had to find a place to set the camper down.   It can be a challenge finding a spot to park a 28 foot trailer.  This sometimes leads to interesting camping spots, such as the one we found this weekend.  Our spot was on BLM land that featured an old farmstead where a famed hermit used to live.  Supposedly, hermits are a thing in Idaho.  Some of the more famous ones include Cougar Dave and Hacksaw Tom.   The flat piece of land upon which we parked used to be occupied by "Dugout Dick," who made his home out of the side of a hill on the banks of the Salmon River and lived there well into his 90s.  His dugout home eventually became an attraction and he charged passers-by a small fee to explore the area and listen to his fiddle music.  It is reported that a friend discovered he was ill at the old age of 94 and took him to a care facility; Dick escaped and hitch hiked his way back to his home in the side of the mountain, where he took his last breath.

The canyon was actually quite beautiful.  David spotted a herd of about 20 bighorn sheep when he was on his dirtbike.  Too bad he couldn't capture them.  

At the far side of the land, Dugout Dick had planted an orchard.  Just so happens that it was prime apple picking time!  

On Sunday morning, we got up early and enjoyed our spot on the river.  The kitty loves to follow us on short hikes!  

After a bit of relaxation, we headed out to the Goldbug Trailhead.  It is about 2.5 miles to reach the hot spring, walking on a trail that cuts through sagebrush, lava beds and golden hills.  Once you arrive, there are numerous crystal clear pools in which you can bathe; the highest ones are the hottest. 

Social Media Musings

Today marks the first day of my attempt to facilitate and use a blog as a way of staying connected with those I care about and love.  Why am I doing this, you may ask?  It comes from the decision to disconnect from Facebook.  I started to dislike the way it made me feel.  Rather than allow an application to control how I felt, I took action and deleted it from my life.  I also came to realize that I was mostly using Facebook as an online photo album/blog anyhow, so why not just try out blogging myself?  I didn't want to leave dear Aunt Linda disappointed, after all.  I do still want to share our life, albeit online, for those times when we can't personally connect with loved ones.  My hope is that this will be a way that family and friends can still stay up-to-date with David and I and enjoy our photos and adventures in a less invasive manner.  We hope this is a way to stay in touch and share with those we love!

Goodbye, Social Media; Hello Blog!  

Annual Lake Powell Houseboating Extravaganza

It always comes and goes in the blink of an eye.  You prepare for months; there are checklists to abide by, lists to create, participants to organize, campsites to research, food to prepare and lots of shopping that needs to take place.  Then it happens - you board the boat at the marina and before you know it, you are back and disembarking!

This year was no exception.  September 9th through 14th presented us with mostly glorious weather, with the exception of a day of wind.  It was clear, sunny and hot for the most part.   We headed south from the marina and travelled over 30 miles down-lake this year, with Escalante being our goal.  Along the way we found some great campsites and enjoyed clear, warm water.  Here are some of our favorite shots!

A great spot opposite the mouth of Iceberg Canyon.

                                          The WOW XOXO water toy was an absolute blast!

The best way to play fetch.

Red rock sunset.

Gabe couldn't get enough of that slide!

Tired out!

Two Lake Powell "Lifers!"

What's for lunch?

In awe.....

Stewart loves having so many laps to choose from....

1, 2, 3, JUMP!

Stewart and the napping holes he digs.

The perfect place to hang out.

Desert Beauty

Group Shot 2016

Cherry Creek Mountain Ranch

Before heading out to Lake Powell, we made a quick side trip to SW Colorado.  There we stayed in a renovated 1920s schoolhouse, which was really neat! 

Farewell to Summer Came Too Soon

August 15.  That was the date when the weather changed noticeably from summer to fall in Teton Valley.  Temps dropped, frost arrived, birds departed.  I was astounded that when I boarded a 7 am flight out of Jackson Hole Airport on August 20, the temperature registered at a frosted breath-inducing 32 degrees.  Too soon, too soon - I do declare!

In the meantime, we are trying to cram in as many river days and summer activities as we possibly can.  Here are some favorites from August and our Labor Day trip to The Flaming Gorge on the Green River.

Floating through "The Aquarium."

An exciting game of chase! 

Stewart declares himself captain. 

Now you know why it is called the "Green River."

Everybody in action! 

Bummer.

Flaming Gorge Dam

When Stewart uses me as a carseat....

A sunny day on the Snake River

Stewart is impatient waiting to get on the river.

I can still row with an air cast!