Hit the Road (and the River), Jack

Ben and I had a cozy night in the guest camper.  Curt and Moe were off to work early, but they left Artie and Laila to watch out for us.

We decided to ride our bikes through Enterprise to Joseph for a morning adventure.  Ben had to show off the slow flag, probably because he missed the red pedestrian flags in Ketchum.

The ride was bucolic, along green hay fields, fat and happy cows and horses, and streams cutting along the roadside.

The valley is dotted with interesting barns, many in great condition.  A whole blog post could be devoted to barns...

Like this red one shading some mules.

The farming community seems to be in harmony with the vacationers and mountaineers that all mix in this valkey.

The town of Joseph is a cute, well-cared for tourist town.  

We stopped for coffee at a charming little cafe and started chatting with Anita, who had a table set up next door to promote the Joseph Branch Railroaders.  This is a business she and her husband started when they sold their bike shop.  He had the idea of creating bike powered cars that could ride the rails of the historic Joseph Branch Railroad, first built in 1927.  Though the railroad is now defunct, the rails run along the river through beautiful country.  For $20 you can ride the rails on the cars he designed, using pedal power.

We definitely want to give this a try next time we visit.

Anita gave us a bike map, so over coffee we planned a return route through the farm land.

Before riding back, I popped into Copper Creek store, because I liked the window displays.  The store owner, Kim, just opened 5 months ago and she carries some fair trade items.  She had a nice selection and at least one vendor I want to suggest to Humankind.

Curt left work early so he could take Ben and me kayaking down the Wallowa River.  Curt is always prepared with his trailer full of kayaks.  I picked the blue one.

This was Curt's first river trip here and he picked a canoe, so Artie and Laila could join us.  Artie got in a little trouble for jumping out of the canoe, and was a bit of a sad-sack the whole journey.  Laila took over the bow, mostly to provide ballast, but she liked it there.

We floated 9 miles downriver and got to test our mettle with some rapids.  Enough to keep us giddy.

Moe met us as we finished our float and we made plans to get Thai food from the food truck parked near the  Wallowa Lake resort area.  Delicious!

We made a quick stop to get a picture of Curt and Moe's new house.  Hopefully, escrow will close in a couple of weeks.  The house needs them and the TLC they will lavish on it, and they are excited to make it their own.

We wish we could stay longer!  There is a lot to do here and we've had a great time.  We'll be back for more Booher hospitality :)

On Top of Old Smokey

Yesterday we said farewell to John and Lisa AND Kethum (sniff) and headed northwest for the next part of our journey.  We overnighted in Stanley, but on the way there we came over the beloved Galena Pass and discovered that the jaw-dropping view was shrouded in smoke.

Not picturesque!

So what is a blog without pictures?  Not very interesting, I'm afraid, but neither Ben or I took any yesterday!  Grief, perhaps?  So I am cheating by pulling in images from the blogsphere.

We stayed in a darling, funky cabin room at the Sawtooth Hotel (sister to the Stanley Baking Co we know and love). The sun set in big red orb, thanks to the smoke. 

But well before that we drove over to historic Redfish Lodge for an amazing, gourmet dinner, much to our shock.  I mean we expected ordinary lodge food like a chicken dinner and instead I had trout with an Asian slaw and ponzu sauce and Ben had handmade pasta with wild mushrooms.  The scene out the front plate windows was all nostalgia, though.

The broad, green lawn was filled with families in camp chairs and spread on blankets enjoying the evening concert.  A cowboy singer strummed his guitar and crooned ballads.  Kids were everywhere, dancing in circles, being swung by the arms by older kids, or splashing in the lake. 

A group of pre-teens were balancing on an overloaded floating dock and repeatedly tilting and sinking it so they all fell off.

The spectacular view of the Sawtooths was muted by smoke, but here is what it looks like on a good day:

Thursday morning, bright and early, we were back to Stanley Baking Co. for a fresh cinnamon roll (me) andluscious plate-sized pancakes for Ben.

The scenic drive from Stanley towards Oregon was marred by heavy smoke and frustrating roadwork delays (I suppose this Caltrans retiree should not be so impatient!).

We made it to Boise and Yelp helped us find Bier, a German style gastro-pub.  We were alarmed that it was completely empty, but our faith in Yelp was rewarded by the fantastic food.  

I went way out on a limb and ordered Bahn Mi and Ben ordered Currywurst.  OMG.

Idaho rocks!  

Now on through two more fire complexes on our way to Eterprise, Oregon to see my brother Curt and his wife, Moe.

With fires behind and ahead of us, we enter beautiful Oregon country and just as we drive through Summerville, we spy a sign for cherries.

Tasty cherries, just picked, but sold by sour-faced people who say they hate cherries!  Truly, these were the first unfriendly folks we have met on this entire trip.

The last 50 miles to Curt and Moe's town of Enterprise was beautiful, but again I was not taking pictures.  Tomorrow's blog will have them!  We arrived to big hugs and Curt and Moe outfitted their second camper for us with flowers and a welcome basket filled with goodies.  

Here's our abode on the left.

They're living in an RV park until they can move into the house they bought in a few weeks.  

After a tour of the new (old) house (no pictures!), we headed to Terminal Gravity Brewery for dinner - it was just like a German Biergarten! happy families, groups of friends and kids wading in the stream.

Though they have only been in Enterprise since June, we were introduced to lots of nice people they have met at work.  We couldn't escape fires, as we could see one burning in the highest reaches on the mountain way above us.

That's Curt.  The vibe here is friendly and relaxed.  We can't wait to get to know it a little better tomorrow, and camera in hand!

Travel Essentials

Hiking Skirts

One of the first things I noticed out on the trails is that lots of women and girls here hike in skirts.  This was as good an excuse as any to go shopping.  I went to Elephant's Perch, a great local sportswear shop, and found my lightweight hiking skirt.  Hiking transformed!  Light and cool as a feather and when nature calls... easy!  Lisa had one already packed in her bag.  She is a travel professional, after all.

Portable Wine Glasses

After our first park concert, we realized that everyone around us had these plastic wine glasses that have a nice dimple for holding on to your glass.  We picked these up at the local kitchen shop and love 'em.  They can't be put in the dishwasher, but they are rarely empty anyway.

Camp Chairs

Again, the park concert proved we needed camp chairs (after hunching on a towel for an hour, we knew they were essential).  Our landlord, Doug, dropped off a pair of these low slung mesh chairs for us and they have been handy on the deck, at the park and in the hot springs.

Safety Orientation

Every vacation has its risks and apparently local parents find fast-driving visitors a hazard.  Their solution?  Park kids bikes or toys out by the intersection of the driveway and the road to send a message.  It works.

Playing Cards

One reason we were so glad John and Lisa decided to join us at the last minute was that every vacation is made better by having Spades opponents.  We ALWAYS play men and against women and hence have saved two marriages.  A nice hand of high spades is always welcome.

Comfortable Accommodations

OK, we have vacationed in tents, the Sportsmobile, the back of our car (remember the bear), a chalet and New York apartments.  What do we prefer?  Comfortable beds and a good kitchen.  Here in Ketchum we had it all thanks to a nicely outfitted VRBO condo, with a pool thrown in (or is that to be thrown in to?) - Dilara would say never end a sentence in a preposition...

Music

This evening we went to Ketch'em Live in the USFS Museum Park just4 blocks from the condo.  Notice that our travel essential chairs and wine glasses are doing duty.

Fun

Waiting to get a table at The Thai restaurant, lisa and John had a friendly game of ping pong. 

Total Relaxation
Most people who know me claim I don't know how to relax and do nothing.  Au contraire!

(Full disclosure - Lisa insists that in truth I only stayed in this position in the hot springs for two minutes max, and then I was fording the cold river to get to the other side).

Relaxation is relative.

Back to Nature (Because I'm Happy...)

Look closely at the profusion of shapes and color under these magenta paintbrush flowers.  Wherever your eye rests there is a scene that could be studied intently, 

if only you were not immediately diverted to another one.

This is our "dilemma" as we hike back to 4th of July and Washington Lakes with John and Lisa. Our brains can't quite soak in the beautiful extremes - a sky so blue with clouds of eiderdown...

The short, single blast of thunder and a light shower that is just enough to cool us off and leave little dimples in the trail.

Views ahead that promise surprises upon closer inspection....

This crossing at Lake Washington was like a tumble of giant matchsticks...

We found a nice shady place for a snack and a rest and watched young trout swimming near the the lake shore.

I decided to join them, but of course, left my swimsuit in the car.  Ben let me use his trunks and my bra sufficed.  For this dip, I decided to be more modest than yesterday... This however, left Ben to once again go in "au naturel."

The water was cold and clear!  Ben inched his way in, as he always does, while I always urge him to just dive in - all to no avail.

John joined us with a few gasps and Lisa was content to "commune with us", as she put it, from the shore.

Lisa was enchanted by the Buttercup mini garden bordering the lake.

Our short swim somehow made everything more beautiful.  Even my soaked bra worked to my advantage as a  secret "air conditioner" for the hike out.  Temperatures were probably in the high 80's.

Some days everything seems like art...

And rushing water seems like magic.

The greens are so green and the stream seems to be speaking a secret language.

This shrub with its snowy blossoms intrigued us - is it in the Rhodedendren family?

Bliss!  Making snow angels was my way of sending a joyous message to the Creator - thank You for everything.