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