Seeing Em's Idol...

Today turned out to be a pretty great day. First I have to tell about the sweater and then I will get to this afternoon.

The sweater:

After making the call the other day to verify what was going wrong with the pattern I was so happy to get going on that darn sleeve again. I could see the finish line ahead of me. If you closed your eyes to try to envision my happiness you would have seen me doing cartwheels as I was approaching the finish line. I got to the last increase row and began to wonder if the "new info" was truly going to work out. I measured the work I had done so far and it just didn't measure up to the printed diagram in the book. So I made another call to the shop and spoke to one of the owners (and one of the authors) and found out that there was even more information left out in the pattern. The author seemed to think it was no big deal and that I was trying to read too much into the pattern and got a little huffy. I let her know that when she is writing patterns, she needs to stop assuming that everyone is a mind reader and make sure she includes every detail that is needed in order to make the project the pattern is written for. I asked her if I should assume that this new info pertains to all the other patterns in the book also and she said yes. She didn't really care that the poorly written pattern caused someone so much grief. After I got off the phone I decided that this will be the one and only book I buy from these two authors.

So on a way better note, the girls and I went to the Rose Garden downtown today. We were on a mission to meet someone. We arrived early and decided that a walk around the garden would be great to spend the half hour wait that we had. Even though it's toward the end of the season for roses, they were still absolutely beautiful. And the smells from some of them were FAB!!!

It was wonderful to walk around, listen to the birds,

and listen to the fountains that are in the rose garden! You know that is what I was sitting near!

Then the time came for us to wonder over for what we really came to the park for. NASA had brought a interactive learning trailer into town for the weekend for the kids in the area. We went today when there wasn't alot of people to deal with. There was interactive tables for the kids to build their own lunar station where astronauts would live while exploring the Moon. There were samples of lunar rock that were brought back when Armstrong was on the moon that you could touch. AWESOME!!!!! There was another room where the floor was interactive and the kids could move computer images around by just stepping near the image and moving it around the room. It all was very COOL!!!

After that is was off to the outside stuff where you could get your picture taken while you were on the "moon" or "Mars" in a space suit. Brenna thought that was way cool! Her smile was ear to ear. Next some robotics that had sensors and lasers that help them move things around and pick things up as if they were on the Moon or Mars. These robots were made out of Legos and of course I have to go look for some of those now. Yeah.

But then the absolute best part of the afternoon is when Em got to meet her idol again.

Yes, Barbara Morgan. The first teacher in space. She made time to come over and sign autographs at the exhibit after her class she teaches at BSU! Em had brought the picture Glenn had taken of her and Barbara at the Morrison Center two years ago when Barbara came home to Idaho after her trip to space. She was hoping Barbara would autograph it for her if she asked. Of course, Barbara said yes. The second Em took the pic out of the envelope and Barbara saw it she exclaimed that she remembered Em from that night. Em was tickled! She asked Em if she still wanted to be an astronaut and told Em about what all she she needs to do in order to work towards that goal. Em is now hooked up to go to junior engineering programs in the near future. So over the top COOL!!!! The very last thing Barbara did was ask Em the favor of getting her a copy of the picture of the two of them a few years ago, autograph it for her (Barbara) and send it to her. Em nearly fell over. Em said "Of Course!". Barbara chatted for the longest time with Em. She told how Boise will be the next spot for NASA to bring in all kinds of programs for engineering, etc. to encourage kids in this area to go into those kind of careers. So awesome! I better start saving up for someone to go to BSU!

There wasn't very many people there at the time and Em mentioned to her that I used to work with her father-in-law at BC of Idaho many years ago. She told me that he had passed away and that everyone missed him dearly. I told her about how proud he was of her training to be the 1st teacher in space and how he beamed every time someone mentioned her. Very dear man he was. Always the highlight of the day when he sat down and ate lunch at the table us girls always sat at. Heart of gold just like Barbara. She emulates what a TRUE teacher is suppose to be. It's all about the kids and her heart is in it 200%. One can not help but like her.

Goodbye's were finally said and plans made to see each other soon at one of the programs. Em was floating in the air as we walked back to the car to head home. She said she so wants to go to BSU now so that she can be in Barbara's class one day.

So a fine afternoon was had by all. And Glenn was "attacked" when he came home, with both girls chattering away at him at the same time trying to tell about every thing they did. Now we have to find the schedule for jr. engineering day so that he can schedule it off and come enjoy the whole day with us. YEA!!!!

Hope your day was FAB also. It's going to take a bit to get off of this cloud after todays excitement!

Sorry for the edit but I had to correct something that I wrote about earlier.

Out of dear respect for Barbara, I put down that she was the 1st teacher in space and I must correct that on her behalf. She never takes credit for being the 1st teacher in space. She gives that recognition to Krista McCullough, who was a very dear friend of hers. She said that even though Krista never made it all the way up to outer space, she was the first teacher to lift off to go to outer space. Barbara said she will never take that recognition away from Krista.

How honorable. That just shows the integrity and heart that Barbara has for others. Barbara said she will always be second as far as this distinction is concerned.

Pulling my "freakin" hair out!!!

This is what I felt like last night. If anyone would have looked at me wrong I probably would have thumped them. Let me fill you in.

So, I get to the very end of the increase area of the sleeves (or at least what I thought would be) and ask Em to stand near so I could hold it up on her arm. I just about fell over as I sounded out in absolute disgust. Em saw the look on my face and started to slowly back away. Now keep in mind that I still had to finish the round "cup" area of the top of the sleeve where it fits into the arm hole. But the increase area alone was up to her shoulder at this time! So obviously what I thought was "right" on the second try was WRONG!!! Glenn came into the room after hearing my "little sound off" and asked what was wrong. Em just told him "Don't get near her" and kept backing away. Also keep in mind that I had just finished 111 rows of work. I was not a happy little person at all. I sat there in total disgust that "it" was wrong again and I was going to have to start over again!!!!! How could I be reading the pattern and it not be clicking in my head in order for me to understand it? Really?!

I took a deep breath, went upstairs to tuck the girls in bed, got a HUGE handful of chocolate and begin to...

FROG the entire sleeve!!! Yes siree!!! All 111 rows. I wasn't even going to bother saving the 6 little measly ribbing rows at the very beginning. Yes, I was that disgusted. After every little stitch was ripped out, I proceeded towards the craft room to dig the yarn winder out in hopes to tame the huge mound of yarn that I now had in my hands. I stared at it for a minute before I said a few choice words, quietly, and then wound it all up in a couple of neat little yarn cakes. Afterwards I was still so disgusted that I went back in the family room, turned the TV and all the lights off and went to bed. Glenn was trying to remind me that it's not a good idea to go to bed upset but all he got in return was the "look". Enough said.

I woke up in a better mood this morning. Glenn didn't get his head bit off or anything like that but the minute I started thinking about the stupid pattern, I was determined that I would be calling the yarn shop up that the two girls who wrote the book own. So online I went to check out what time they open and then at the top of the appropriate hour I was dialing. I explained that I was calling from out of state and I had a big problem with getting the sleeves to work and wondered if anyone could help me out. So after going over things a couple of times (because what was being explained the first few times made NO sense) she cast on a few stitches and started working the increase area while telling me everything she was doing. Well, at the end it was determined that pertinent information was left out in the instructions!!! Hello!!!!!

Really??!!!

So I have now cast on for the sleeve again in VERY high hopes that the 3rd time is a charm and all will be good now. It better be! 'Cause you don't want to see me freak out and snap or something or even give the "EYE" again. Not pretty. Plus, I'm not sure that there would be enough chocolate in the house to keep me calm if this isn't the fix.

Headline:

Crazy lady in Idaho wigs out after a knitting project goes wrong.

Wish me luck, please.

A most wonderful weekend...

This weekend turned out to be quite wonderful. Not too busy and not too "loud". It started on Friday afternoon for us because it was Glenn's long weekend. After lessons we all headed to the bowling alley to play a couple of games with Dad. It's been awhile since Glenn has joined us. The first game was pretty good. Em got 97 on her first game and convinced Glenn to play one more so she could redeem herself and try to get over 100. Well, it didn't turn out that way with Glenn getting 135, whooping the pants off of the rest of us. We aren't pros as one could tell. Then off to the store to buy canning supplies and a few tid bits.

Saturday you would have found me in the kitchen for a spell, canning for the first time ever! I had to do something with all those tomatoes that I had left. I gave some away but still had alot left. Canning wasn't that bad I tell you. Now I'm looking around to see what else I can put up and save. Salsa is definitely on the list! I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a pressure canner so that I can attempt to put other veggies away also. This could turn into another little "illness". Who knows around here with me. :)

Afterwards there was some knitting done on the sleeves of the sweater. Let me stop right here and just speak out about patterns that just aren't clear in EVERY little detail. It is a pet peeve of mine being that was my job in the AF, training, and when we wrote training manuals or even taught classes it was very detailed! One left out little tid-bit could be disastrous.

So back to the knitting pattern; I eventually ended up ripping out 30 something rows of work after realizing that things just aren't looking right and that Em had better find some shorter arms. So after going over the pattern again and visualizing things in my head, I realized that things could have been written better and some info was left out. How would you take "increase every 4th row"? I might be slow but I took that as every 4th row! No. The instructions should read "increase every 4th KNIT row" in order for the sleeve to be shaped for a normal child. So some extra words were written in for my well being and then I went to bed. I was quite disgusted looking at all that had been ripped out.

So, up bright and early I was Sunday morning, with a better attitude than when I went to bed. After doing all the necessary things to get the day going, I went out on the deck and stayed there the majority of the day. The day was wonderful with just getting to 72 and the morning was absolutely gorgeous with the cool breezes that were blowing. Absolutely dreamy! I know, it doesn't take much. I had to eventually change out of the jeans due to the fact it got to be too much sitting out in the sun all day. I'm not complaining! Listening to the wind all day in the trees was so absolutely FAB! I wish all the days could be like that. I would be the calmest person you would ever meet. I think the rest of the gang would love that too.

Things went much better with the new and improved pattern and by nights end I had made it to row 103! I was really happy o go to bed in a better mood. A sense of accomplishment! YEA!!

As the day wore down, some checking of the jars was done. The lids didn't have any give to them! I was doing a little jig for my little accomplishment towards "self sustainment". Cross your fingers that no one gets ill now from botulism or something . LOL!!!!! Glenn said the headlines will read "Family in Idaho dead from botulism. Their own tomatoes killed them".

Well, off to get a few chores done and then to cut a slice of bread off of the loaf I made yesterday. Did I mention how I LOVE my bread machine? Well, I do. I'm going to make an effort at making our own bread for now on. Especially since I found unbleached flour at the store. It's a dollar more a bag, but worth it I think. There is no sense in having a machine sitting in your cabinet and not ever using it, after "someone" made a stink about really needing one a few years ago. :)

I so love weekends that pass without a hitch. It just makes things alot brighter when Monday mornings come around. Hope yours was FAB also. Crossing my fingers for a FAB week also!

Put a smile on!

Toodles!

The Continental Divide & more...

This is the view that started each morning while on our little trip. It was so wonderful to sit and eat breakfast while watching the sun come across the little valley. The window and door to the balcony would be open to get the crisp morning air into the room and to hear the sound of the river while enjoying breakfast. Then as with the other two mornings, the local bald eagle would come flying around the bend and past our window as it went on down the river valley. Could you imagine seeing that every morning? That would be pure bliss I tell you.

After everyone was fed, dressed and ready for the day, our trip to the Continental Divide started with a quick drive up to Gibbonsville, Id where we would turn off onto Gibbonsville Rd. Little place with just about 100 people living there. Everything is very old. It used to be a good sized mining town at one time, but any more. I quickly realized that we were on another one lane road all the way up the mountain, with the drop off on my side of the truck. FAB. I took a quick glance at things here and there but didn't focus too much on high we kept climbing on the road. And hoped that we didn't met anyone that was coming down the mountain. We stopped a couple of times to check out the scenery. That isn't bad because I'm controlling how close I get to the edge of things.

Here's a view of the Salmon Forest facing north. So peaceful listening to the wind in the trees and hearing the birds sing in the morning with no sound of traffic, etc. to disturb it all. There is a calming effect that comes over you when surrounded by all of this. It's just absolutely wonderful.

Back in the truck and up the mountain we go again. Yeah.

Then we finally get to the top to the Continental Divide. The girls thought is was very neat that they could be in different states and still be so close to each other. Driving in a car whizzing down the road and crossing state lines just doesn't seem to "hit" you until you are able to walk around and experience it for yourself. They thought it was funny to go from one state to the other with only one little hop. That kept them busy for a bit while Glenn and I walked around to take in the scenery of this portion of the Continental Divide. Awesome!

And wouldn't you know it, as we were getting ready to get back in the truck, three vehicles drove by us, heading down the road we just came up! Talk about luck! I just about fainted from thinking about meeting up with them while we were on the road!

So down through Montana we went to see a new piece of the countryside not seen by us before. There was more evidence of pioneers from the past.

Rolling hills and meadows.

Beautiful shots of the mountain ranges in Montana.

And little girls enjoying seeing the scenery as they were hanging out the window while Dad was driving slow so that he could take in all the scenery also. There was an occasional moo that was said to the cows that were on the ranches along the side of the forest road. You have to wonder at times.

Some one just didn't need it anymore I guess.

Then we went to the Big Hole National Battlefield located right off of Hwy 43 in Montana. I can't explain why but after going into the visitors center seeing and reading all the artifacts and writings from those who were involved with this event, I could not look at this area without thinking what an absolute tragedy this event was.

Below is a quote from Chief Joseph, which is believed to have been made before the Nez Perce was to be moved onto a reservation in Idaho. Very humbling.

So, the Nez Perce lived on their land in the Walla Walla valley in Oregon. Settlers started coming out west and started to settle on the Nez Perce land. Conflicts started but things really started to heat up after gold was found in this land. That is when the Govt. came in and wanted to move the Nez Perce off the land and move them somewhere else on a reservation in Idaho. Chief Joseph tried to negotiate with the Govt. to keep his people on their land as agreed to in treaties signed in 1855 & 1863. The Govt. reversed their agreement and wanted the Nez Perce to move "now". Chief Joseph agreed with great hesitation because the reservation in Idaho was a very small fraction of land of the original territory they lived on. As they began to move to Idaho, three rouge warriors massacred some of the white settlers due to their outrage over losing their homeland.

Chief Joseph feared that after this act his people would be killed by the Govt, so he and 5 other tribal leaders lead their people away from the area. They were trying to make it to Canada where they thought they would be able to live in peace and would be able to unite with other tribes that had fled there recently.

After many weeks after running, the Nez Perce came to the Big Hole area and decided to camp in the area near the creek because they thought they were far ahead of the Army. Little did they know that another regiment was very close behind them and waited till the very early morning on Ag 9th, 1877 to attack the tribe. There were heavy casualties on both sides but the Nez Perce were able to overwhelm the Army and take over their cannon and dismantle it. The Nez Perce were able to flee the area and try to get ahead of the Army again on their journey to Canada. Eventually though, they surrendered in October 1877 due to the starvation, freezing temps and exhaustion, just 40 miles from the border of Canada. They had fled over 1170 miles just to try to keep their freedom.

It was very sobering to walk on this land which is now sacred land to the Nez Perce. The poles that the Nez Perce used to build their tepees are still standing, without the hides. A quiet, somber feeling comes over you to think that people who just wanted to be left alone on their native land were killed here. A quiet people who wanted no harm to happen to anyone.

To look down on the valley where the attack started some how quietens you. To think of what happened while the Nez Perce were sleeping and not hurting anyone. But then to think of how they were able to defend themselves and defeat the Army in order to keep from being completely killed off was numbing also.

We were told that the blue flags marked spots were artifacts from the soldiers and volunteers had been found along with some remains of a few. It is a lot to take in while visiting this Battlefield. It's a grim reminder of the greed that some people had just because they thought they were above others, who had lived on an ancient land for so long and who belonged were they had lived for many years before. And then to learn of how the Nez Perce, and other tribes, were treated on reservations during this time of our country. Very sad. It makes me wonder if my great-grandmother ever went through treatment like this or her family members before her.

After that moving bit of the afternoon, we were back on the road to head back towards Idaho, climbing up to the Continental Divide once again. The one thing that is very noticeable is that the Idaho side is very rugged and steep along a huge portion of the Divide and the Montana side is more rolling and easy to reach the peaks. The girls called it "smooth".

Another quick history lesson about a pioneer that came to this area and made it a bit more livable for themselves and those who came after.

Down the steep road towards the valley below. This is the area Lewis and Clark traveled once they decided the Salmon River was too treacherous. Very rugged, just without a huge river.

A shot of the Continental Divide from Salmon, Id.

Another beautiful hillside showing all the beautiful colors that it has to offer. We called an end to the day after we made one more trip down the road along the Main Salmon River to see if we would see the elusive Moose. No luck. But at least Brenna was a positive little adventurer and said maybe next time we have an adventure. You gotta love her. There was elk on the side of the mountain to see along with the bald eagle again. Some one said they had just seen a mother bear with her two cubs but they headed towards one of the gulches in the valley not to be seen anymore. Good. I don't want to get too close to them. Then back to the room to pack and get ready for our VERY early beginning the next morning.

I hope you got something out of this trip through bits and pieces of what we saw. I do enjoy our family explorations because we always go searching for things that we did not know before. We don't go on trips just to relax and block the world out and to be consumed with commercialism. We are always trying to learn about the things around us in hopes that our kids will be better informed and to learn about their surroundings and their country. We live in a beautiful land and Glenn and I try to share our enthusiasm with our kids so that they appreciate what is around them and where they come from.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'm hoping there will be some serious yarn time going on around here in these parts. I've only got two sleeves and a hood left on Em's sweater. I probably would be further along if I had not noticed yesterday evening that I screwed up on the right front side and never changed needle sizes after I completed the ribbing. But really it is a good thing that I noticed you know. So after having the side half done, I ripped it all out and started over and then stayed up late last night knitting and purling away just to get that side finished. I was dragging this morning let me tell you.

So have fun, keep smiling and hope for the love of pete that I don't screw up again on the sweater! LOL!!!!

Toodles Noodles!

Maters and more...

Juicy red to-maters puts a big smile on my face. It was quite shocking to go outside and see all the ripe grape tomatoes that were waiting so patiently to be picked today. And there is tons more just waiting to turn so that they will be next on the picking list. I've got to get my act together and get a few supplies for canning. There are at least 50 of the beef tomatoes just waiting to turn. There is no way I can eat all of them by myself.

But just think about all those yummy tomato sandwiches that I will be having with the juice dripping down my hands! I'm dying here!

Going to the store for bread did not seem like a good option today. So the bread machine was taken out just to make the dough. I still love baking the bread in the oven. The aroma is just so much better. They aren't perfect loaves. But who cares when you bite into a piece while the bread is still warm dripping with butter. The best! Cinnamon roll dough is next.

Last but not least today, I was smiling about the progress that has been made on Em's sweater. The back and left front is finished and blocked. The right front is halfway done. You don't know how bad I want to lock myself in the craft room and just knit away until the whole sweater is done.

I'll get to the last post of our trip hopefully tomorrow. Too much was going on around here today to get to that. Working on prime numbers and factoring, learning to tie shoes, making two loaves of bread and giving hugs to Baby Lamb Chop were way more important.

Hope you had a FAB day also!

Down along the Salmon River...

We woke up bright and early the next morning so we could get started on our adventure down Forest Road 30 to see for ourselves what had turned back Lewis & Clark on their expedition out west. The map below shows the 46 mile (one way) road that follows the main Salmon River until it dead ends at Corn Creek. That is where the Frank Church Wilderness Area begins and no motorized vehicles are allowed into that area. One day I will venture into that area on a rafting trip, one day. The pictures I have seen of this area are just beyond words. One day I will see it with my own two eyes. I am determined to also go on a trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon, during a low flow thank you. We were told by Bob, the ranger, that the canyon that lies a few miles beyond Corn Creek is the 2nd deepest in North America. And that the canyon that the Middle Fork flows through is the 3rd deepest. That means that Idaho has the top 3 deepest canyons in this country and the Grand Canyon is the 4th. Hells Canyon along the Snake River is the deepest. We never knew about the 2nd & 3rd ranking that our state holds. Learn something new everyday. WOW!!!

So down FR. 30 we go and we start to see some pretty cool things, at least to us. There are so many little homesteads that mark the presence of pioneers of the past. I just can't imagine living in this rugged but beautiful area without some kind of modern conveniences that we have today. Just thinking about what things might have been like makes me shake my head. And "we" gripe about how hard things are now a days. Yeah, right.
Down the road a ways, the pavement ends. The road is well kept due to the fact that there are still a tough few that live in the area year round. The landscape just kept getting more rugged and more beautiful. All the different rocks, colors, steepness of the mountains were so awesome to look at. There was old gold mine shafts along the side of the road that have been sealed up. Way cool! And again I was thinking what lucky dogs those people were to have year round homes out here. We were making a lot of stops so that Glenn could soak all of it up along with the rest of us.
At one point there was a sign that told of the story of Lewis & Clark coming to the area and how they decided against going into the Salmon River valley because of how treacherous the river was. They headed up north to what is now Lost Trail pass along the Continental Divide, into Montana and then back into Idaho. We were told that the river was about 15ft lower than the high flow times at the beginning of the summer. Remember that snow levels were a wee bit higher way back when and even when in August when the expedition came through, the water flow was very fast and high. Believe me when I tell you that the river was moving pretty darn fast when we saw it. I don't want to know what it looked like when Lewis & Clark came through the area. Those men were brave. And to have turned away from this river says something.

Around every turn there was something wonderful to look at. I was blown away at the sheer ruggedness of it all.
Along the way there was a historical site of sorts that showed were artifacts had been found of the Sheepeater Indians that lived in the area. A group from Uof I had been in the area years ago to find and save artifacts from these people. There were still pictographs on the side of the rocky cliffs that were made by these people many, many years ago. There is something that grabs at me whenever I see things like this also. I don't know if it has anything to do with my great-grandmothers Cherokee heritage, but I am blown away by the simple life that these people lead. Things were not easy, but somewhere I feel that they were happy with all that was given to them. And to find out how they lived along side 3-4 other tribes in the area, peacefully sharing food sources, etc. just so they could continue on one day to the next.

We spent about 45 mins just in this area alone taking in everything. Looking and listening.
Right near Panther Creek Rd. we came upon another little homestead that had been abandoned many years ago. The girls thought it was funny to see a little outhouse right next to the cabin. I am hoping that you can click on this pic and it is large enough for you to see the big horn sheep ewe and her babies down along the river munching on the grasses. There another walking away from the river headed near the outhouse and we spotted one sitting on the rock above the cabin that was sleeping. We couldn't figure out at first why that one wasn't moving a muscle until Glenn got out his big zoom lens and was able to see it clearly sitting in the sun, taking a nap. How cute!

There were more young ones to see along the side of the road in a little grassy area getting a snack.
We found a little picnic area to stop and have a wee little snack at. You have to keep in mind that the majority of the areas here in Idaho were one would go hiking and exploring is what is called "pack it in, pack it out". You have to take all of your trash out the same way you brought it in with you. Nothing stays behind. Glenn and the girls walked around a bit to see all the cool rocks and boulders. I just planted myself on the picnic table and listened to the sounds of the river as it raced by. Almost hypnotizing.
Here is a pic of where the Middle Fork meets the Main Salmon. Down around the bend in the far back of the pic is the 3rd deepest canyon in North America. Can you imagine!
This is the end of the road at Corn Creek where alot of floaters get out if they aren't with an experienced outfitter. I don't blame them. I wouldn't go alone either. There is a ranch down further along the river that used to be owned by Polly Bemis and her husband Charlie. Very fascinating story of this Chinese immigrant who lived in Idaho for 60yrs and loved this rugged land in the Salmon River Valley. I've got to find the book about her at the library. Very intriguing.
Since we couldn't go any further, we headed back they way we came and stopped at the Stoddard Bridge to check things out. It is used for pack mule trips to get to the other side of the river and then up the steep hills.
It's held by two cables anchored into each side of the river canyon and only ten fully loaded pack mules at a time can cross the bridge. No more. I don't want to find out what would happen if #11 would try to join the group. :)
Yes, I crossed the bridge. But I did not stop on it nor look down while crossing it. Wienee.
This is where the trail leads off to after you get to the other side. Now I wouldn't even go up that just walking by myself, much less riding on the back of a horse or mule. Now Way!!!! I'm not willing to kill myself just yet.
We came back to the Panther Creek Rd area and decided to find the hot springs that Bob had marked on the map. I was not a happy camper once we got on the road and saw that it was a one car road all the way up. Yes, I nearly got sick. Wienee remember. But finally after covering my eyes most of the way we made it to the top. Yes, the river way down below is what we were next to at one point.
We spotted the hot springs but decided there was no way we were making our way down the steep slope with the girls. Brenna scared me enough when she hopped out of the truck just to get a look at the springs and went too close to the edge for my liking. I just about died. Glenn just shook his head and wondered what I was freaking about. She was a few feet away from the edge. I'm not a height loving person. Yes, wienee.

Just had to show you why I was panicking. Most of the road didn't have a "nice" edge along the outside. This spot did. That is why I uncovered my eyes to take the pic.

Finally, we were back down by Panther Creek. And of course my gang saw a really big rock bed that was not covered by water. So you know they had to go hunting. Very pretty colored specimens out there. And yes, a few came home with us. More than a few.
I couldn't help but notice this lonely little flower that had found itself amongst all the rocks with it beautiful yellow color.
After this, it was back to the room to clean up and go get a bite at the cafe in the village of North Fork. Remember, 3 buildings. It was getting late and everyone had their fill of sandwiches and snacks by this time and were wanting a big juicy hamburger. Em ordered the same thing Glenn did and finished the WHOLE thing. We still can't figure out where she put it all. There was more exploring and toe dunking to be had after we got back to our room. And then as the daylight was disappearing we went back down the road a piece to see if we could spot that moose. Someone at the cafe said he was spotted around lunch time 2 miles down. So off we went. But no luck. Maybe the next day. We did see the bald eagle again, some horses and a fawn with his mommy. They girls saw the fawn the night before all by itself and wondered where its mommy was. They were hoping that hunters hadn't gotten to her. So they were happy to see that she was okay. Then back to the room we went to clean up for the night and then sit out on the balcony for some river time. Pure heaven! Then to bed for another adventure tomorrow!

See you back here for the next installment of the fun filled trip. Hope you enjoyed today's little jaunt.

Toodles!!!