"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." ~Goethe~

08 October 2010

Taking it easy...

Things have been busy and a bit off the norm around here while Glenn has been off work.  But no complaining from us girls because it's been really nice spending some quality time with him.  It just feels like I need a 'vacation after a vacation'.

The girls doubled up on their lessons Monday so that we could take a family trip on Tuesday to do some exploring.  We slept in a bit this particular morning, waking up at a late 6am.  Still making sure we started early enough though to get through town before rush hour traffic.  Then there was a stop at the grocery store in Mtn. Home to get food/snacks, etc. for our day trip.  I was rushing everyone, which they did not like one bit.  But we made it out of the store in 10 minutes so we could get back on the road for some exploring.  Thank goodness I made a list in the truck while Glenn was driving.  Lord knows how long it would have taken us without it.

Anyhoo,  out of Mtn. Home and trucking along Hwy 20, past Anderson Ranch Reservoir
 until we got to our turn off for Pine & Featherville.  We hadn't been back down this road for a very long time.  Since Em was a toddler.  We used to travel this road alot when Brendon was a baby, always taking him to the hot springs out in this area.  The girls got to see some cows being herded up by real cowboys when we turned onto Rd. 61.  The girls and Glenn were yelling out the windows telling the cows to turn around and run away because Wendy's was not their friend.  I swear they are so messed up.

  Then after my crews attempt at saving some cute little cows, we got a most wonderful surprise while going down the road.  Mountain Bluebirds!  They were every where.  At least female ones.  Not a male in sight.  But just as pretty none the less.  I have only seen one before (a male) a couple of years ago.  They are skiddish little birds and won't sit still for long.   I was lucky to get this pic on my camera.  Glenn got some better ones later with his zoom lens.  I wish they were around my house.  I would be in heaven having them around.  Much nicer than the yard rats I must deal with.
 After a bit of bird watching, we finally made it to the far east side of the reservoir and the girls had to stop and have a look.  They thought it was WAY cool.  I am sorry to say that I wasn't not as easily impressed because of all the trips made here before, years ago and letting Brendon always get out to have a look at things.  But it was nice to see their excitement.
 What I thought was cool was the hot springs that we had ventured to see many times before.  Don't know why.  I just love hot springs.  Glenn and I used to take Brendon to these very same hot springs when he was a baby/toddler.  He loved it.  It was so gorgeous coming down the road and seeing all the steam stirring in the cool morning air.  It brought back alot of memories of my little guy when he was little.  Sniff.  Now it was the girls turn to see this gorgeous piece of nature that we are lucky to have near us.  This was awesome!
 Brenna was a little nervous at first because of her burn she got on her ankle from Vulcan Hot Springs a couple of years ago.  The name alone can make you nervous.  But a little coaxing and help from Dad, she was going all over checking things out and looking for the perfect... 
(come on you know what she was looking for)
the perfect ROCK!!! 
 The girls even saw some eensy weensy fish in the pools of water along the river.  There are plans to come back, in bathing suits, so that the pools along the river can be tried out.
 Back in the truck, we found our way past Featherville heading toward another spot we frequented years back.  The colors are just starting to turn.  Not as much as I thought, but still there was Fall color to see.
 I wish I had some of this in my yard.  Simply gorgeous!

 Finally we made it to our final stop...
 Baumgartner Campground.
Where we found more hot springs.  I wish I could find some land with my very own hot springs stream on it.  Talk about heaven!  
 I couldn't help but snap a pic of this old fallen tree with all these boulders all tangled up in the tree roots.
That was way cool!
 We found our way back to a spot on the river visited many years ago.  Gorgeous little spot in the river.  It was the same spot that my little brother decided he needed to jump into the river to cool off one summer.  We kept trying to explain to him that even though it was mid July and hot at the time that he did not want to jump in because the river was still freezing from the snow melt.  (not like the river ever warms up ever.)  He didn't listen.  He jumped.  He came out yelling that he was freezing to death and his heart nearly stopped because the water was colder than anything he had ever been in.  And his teeth were chattering for about an hour afterwards.  
 A stop at the hot springs pool was made.  Someone was there before us and decided that the pool needed draining because of all the leaves, etc.  We made it back just as the pool was filling back up.  Just the right height to walk around in the warm water and soak the feet.  It felt good.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a natural fed hot springs pool in your backyard?  You know it would!  I would be in it all winter long!
 I was sticking to the side where the water was warmest.  Everyone was laughing at me when I was freaking over a wasp that kept coming by me.  Not cool.  Especially when I found out they snapped a pic of me swatting at the thing.
 Then there was more exploring to be done.  Some lunch to be had.  And the girls trying to figure out how to open a bear proof dumpster.  I was laughing.  Free entertainment.  You never know when it may happen.  I guess that was what the wasp incident was for them also.  :)  It was such a great day up in the mountains.  No one wanted to go home.  Apparently Glenn and I have to figure out how to get a house up in this area also.  I think we are up to 5 different ones now around the state.  :)  Winning lottery numbers please.

Yesterday found us at the corn maze to meet up with some friends.  
It was alot of fun.  The girls and I have been through a couple of them ourselves.  But this was Glenn's first time ever.  He had a blast.  I didn't think it was funny though when he started talking about the movie 'Children of the Corn'.  Not cool. 

After checking out a few things that needed to be seen,
 the maps were given to the girls and they lead the parents around the maze.
There were two different sections and each took us about 45mins.  Not too bad really.  It's really good practice for teaching kids to read maps and such.  I held on to my map just in case.  :)
 Afterwards there was some trying out the Jumping Pillow.  And yes you guessed it, we were told we need to get one of these put in the back yard.  Yeah, I'll "jump" right on that.
 We (the parents) noticed a warning along the side of the pillow that said "caution when wet".  What!!!  I think that this thing would be a blast when wet.  Could you imagine trying to stay on that and just sliding off the edge.  AWESOME!!!!
To say that the girls slept good last night is an understatement.  They had a blast!

I'm hoping for some quiet time tomorrow.  Things have been just 'hopping' around here the past week and I need a break so I can just veg out on the couch or something, with some yarn and needles.  I think I'm sleeping in tomorrow.

xxxx

10 comments:

  1. Oh such beautiful scenery and a wonderful time I know you all had! Um, had to admit, I was thinking "Children of the Corn" too. I had my share of nightmares as a kid. Creepy!!!

    Love the big rocker and the hot springs. Too cool!

    Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is so pretty there! Fall is such a fun time. I have never seen one of those bouncy things :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fun few days!
    The trees in the mountains are just stunning!
    And what fun the maze is (and the bouncing pillow!??!? Never seen anything like it!)
    Hubby and I have been talking about going to a local corn maze every year,it hasnt happened yet....
    Hope your weekened is relaxing!
    You deserve it:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved the pictures. Made me homesick even though I haven't lived there in 25 years.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi kar,
    beautiful photos of a wonderful fall scenerie
    i love it.i think your weekend was nice.
    here we have wonderful sunny days with cold nights,but no frost.i love that weather.
    have a nice week my friend,
    hugs,regina

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the new Banner, gorgeous!!! Sounds like you guys had a such a nice trip. The mountain scenery is beautiful. I would love to spend some time there. The Corn Maze looks so cool and super fun. I hope you have a wonderful week Kar!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fun trip! I'm missing out, I have never gone through a corn maze. Love your new banner.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous day! I have to admit, I haven't thought about Children of the Corn for a long time, so thanks for that, ha ha, but the corn maze does look like a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! Hot springs! That seems sooo cool! We do not have any in Sweden...

    ReplyDelete