Making Friends in High Places

Today we wanted to scout out a perfect hike for John and Lisa, who arrive tonight.  We got an early start and headed north, over Galena Pass, 40 miles past these open meadows and snow covered peaks to the turn off to 4th of July Lake. Along the way we spied two herds of antelopes grazing.

In the last few years the Sawtooths have had some gnarly fires, and so as we headed up the ten mile gravel road to the trailhead, we entered the burn area.  The stark remains of the trees are in contrast to the abundant and colorful wildflowers carpeting beneath them. 

We got the to trailhead just behind a van of boy scouts camped a mile down the road.  They were lined up in rowdy fashion to use the one pit toilet.  They liked to pepper the kid enthroned inside with pebbles bouncing off the door.  Their leader graciously swept them aside and let me cut in front of the line.  I made them promise not to throw rocks.  "No, ma'am!" they said politely.

We headed out on the hike to 4th of July lake (elevation 9400 feet) and the scenery was immediately charming.  Verdant meadows, a sparkling stream and easy crossings. The peaks above us ranged to almost 11,000 feet.   We had noticed another couple arriving at the time we did and it was not long before we caught up with them.  They were so friendly, we struck up a conversation.  

Gene and Diana were also first-timers to Ketchum - Gene "bought"a week in a cabin at a silent auction and this suited Diana perfectly, as she loves to hike.  They live in Irvine, CA and are getting close to retiring full-time.  Gene works to develop programs to serve emancipated foster children and they told us stories of many successes - foster kids who have ended up at Harvard, pursuing advanced degrees and eventually building families of their own.  Diana has had first-hand experience, taking in two foster daughters when she lived in Hawaii.  

As so often happens to us when we travel - we found lots of intersections in our lives - Diana and I both graduated from Cal State Fullerton (though I was there 12 years earlier).  Diana's Communications degree served her well - she worked in entertainment casting, then in higher education.  Gene and Ben discovered quite a connection - they both had open-heart surgery at age 56.  Like Ben, Gene avoided a major heart attack, and it was his own persistence with his doctor that finally led them to give him an angiogram that detected the serious blockages.  That same test saved Ben's life.

It was so fun to have our new companions along for this beautiful hike - we could enjoy the small things like these gorgeous shooting stars or the dramatic vistas behind the two lakes we visited.

This picture gave me a little jolt because I think Ben looks SO much like his Dad in this shot.  He doesn't see it...

The snow reflected in the water below looks like a Rorschach test, don't you think?  A family was trying to climb up the steep icy front and the kids kept slipping and sliding, giving us a little entertainment.

This hike was just perfect and we can't wait to take John and Lisa there to experience it.  In the meantime, we made wonderful new acquaintances with Gene and Diana, exchanged contact info and who knows?  We may meet again.  We shared our enthusiasm for home exchanging with them and they gave us some inspiration to someday try a bike tour in Europe, perhaps with Vermont Bike Tours, their favorite.

Today was just one in a stream of days that makes us glad we hit the road to Idaho!