Meadow Lake

We met Brad and his boys for fun fishing at Meadow Lake. A place that Craig and Brad remember from going with their dad

First things first: get fitted with Grandpa's hats. Grandma was happy to supply them for the campout. 

Craig teased us that we would be leaving at 4:00 a.m.  But really we left around 7:00. A quick stop at Walmart to pick up a few essentials and we were off. 

Brad, Bowen and Tayvin were already there when we arrived, but we were soon all geared up. 

Brad testing the waters. 

Two brothers enjoying the lake their dad loved. 

Taking turns in hue canoe. Everybody had life jackets. 

Josh tried out Grandpas's float tube. It was very nice. I didn't get a picture of Bowen in his tube. Oopsie. 

I sat in the shade with my book. Craig hung out with Brad. They switched between lures and flies. 

Brad with his impressive catch. The poor baby was soon released. 

The days catch. 

The mighty fishermen, minus Brad - the master fisherman. 

The fish in the really big frying pan. Thank you Brenda. We love this pan. 

A better idea of how big the pan really is. 

The beautiful mountain. Pure granite rock with the little lake at its base. 

After the sun and the bugs started to get to me, I ended up in the tent with my book. I burn easy. I got the least amount of bug bites. Poor Boaz got the most. Josh had several that went through his shirt. Bug spray only goes so far I guess. 

Brad and his family left after the hamburgers. We stayed for the night. We pulled out S'mores. 

Boaz really got into his. 

Or the S'more really got onto him. 

We were prepared to sit around the fire and do fireside things, but the boys were worn out from canoeing, floating (with flippers for propulsion) and hiking around the lake. We went to bed pretty early. Bummer that we forgot our pillows. 

A few more pictures of Meadow Lake. 

Occasionally we could hear rocks five way and fall down the slope. 

The joke was wanting to see somebody slide dome the snow into the water. Natural water slide. 

Tayvin out by himself. 

Boaz and Tayvin manning the canoe. 

For breakfast we had bacon, pancakes and eggs. Boaz wants to camp more often because the food is awesome. 

We hiked a little trail. 

Looking down on the lake. So pretty. 

Resting in the shade. 

We hiked up to what Craig called Sasquatch's bathtub, but forgot to take a picture. We were halfway back down and didn't want to turn around and go back up. Bummer. 

Our tent. It kept the bugs out. Love it. 

A fun family trip. We miss you Grandpa. Maybe he peeked in on us from Heaven and smiled as we played in one of his favorite spots. 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is beautiful. There are so many trees, more than Oregon. We visited a few places off the farm. 

E first place we went was to a little dell - a stream had cut through the granite and had made a lovely area to visit. Not really a water fall, but the running water flowing over the rocks and flowing swift in the deep channels was beautiful. The rushing water echoed the sound of the ocean, thousands of miles away. At least the Pacific Ocean is that far. 

Some nice people pointed out a turtle, resting on a rock. We watched it for a long time. We glanced away for a bit and when we looked back it had moved and gave us proof of life. 

He looked to be as big as a WWII helmet. The biggest fresh water turtle I have seen. 

The trees framed the granite and grew in any little bit of soil they could find. The water was a caramel color that foamed and bubbled through the rocks. It reminded me of root beer. 

We walked around on the rocks and found little pools of water that was the home to hundreds of tadpoles. The sight of the little black dots with tails makes me happy. It is a good thing to find joy in the little things of life. At least that is what I tell myself. 

 A scenic bridge over the water polished granite the stream is in there, just not from this vantage point. 

We relaxed here for about half an hour and then decided to track down some ice cream before afternoon chores. 

This is a little maple glen with the sun sparkling through and on the leaves. I know we are in a different part of the country, but I was reminded of what I think the Sacred Grove would look like. The maple trees are everywhere. Real maple syrup is a big thing in this part of the country. The ferns add to the calm spirit in the woods. 

Another trip out from the farm: Rib Mountain. 

The highest point - I believe in the state of Wisconsin. Elevation 1940 feet. We, who live in Idaho, had a bit of a smug feeling as we stood at the highest point. But I love the granite. This is the only picture I have of Brenda on this trip. What is the deal with that?

 Boaz came to get a picture with me in the Queen's Chair. Too funny. Rib Mountain is a little mountain right by Wausau. There are some ski lifts and runs. We went up to the top and climbed the tower. Don't ask why I didn't get a picture of the tower. What was wrong with me. 

Thank goodness for the internet. Here is a picture of the tower I found on line. 

I decided not to think about how many steps I was climbing. I also didn't get close to the edge. The view from the top was full of trees and dairy farms cut out of the woods. 

I can see myself living in these woods, but only if I have I have a compass in my car and a maps app on my phone. Seriously, there are no high points to orient yourself except the little mountain that is only visible when you are right by it. 

Still, I was charmed by the people and the natural beauty of this state. 

And there is still so much more to see. The state is nestled between two of the Great Lakes. Imagine the possibilities. 

Visit to SLC

We went to Salt Lake City yesterday

First on the agenda we met with Karly and her companion. We took them to lunch and then they visited Temple Square with us for a minute.

Thea had been waiting to see Karly ever since she got here.

It was so good to see her.

Thea, Karly and Sister Weber.

We ate at Chilis. yum.

The wind was blowing and the sun was in our eyes. But we wanted a picture of the Chilis sign.

At Temple Square we visited the Christus. I have always loved this room.

Karly and Thea.

Craig and Thea.

Karly and her Uncle Craig.

Karly and I at the model of the SLC Temple. So cool to see a cross section of the temple.

Karly and her companion returned to work and Craig and I went to the temple for Tysona nd Cindy's wedding. Thea and the boys went across the street to see the Cit Creek Mall.

A quick story about the wedding.  I transferred my wallet to my black purse from my brown purse. Notice my outfit.  In the process, I forgot my recommend.  I remembered on the road and Craig had me call Cyri, my sister-in-law, to see if they could pick it up. I told her how to get into the house and hopped for the best. If they couldn't find it, or if I was wrong as to were the recommend was, I would have to miss the sealing.

I am happy to report that they did find my brown purse where I told them it was and the recommend was in it where I thought it was.  I was able to attend the sealing. I really should know better by now.

It is always nice to attend a sealing with Craig. It was so sweet to see the happiness of the new couple.

I have a few pictures from the Joseph Smith Building where the reception was.

A great fountain on the tenth floor outside the Wasatch Room.

Our family looking out the window by The Roof restaurant.  Such a great view.

I love this temple. 

Our off the beaten track moment

Oppsie, I didn't post any pictures of our lovely hike out in the sticks.

We followed a game trail, if that. We got trapped by a marshy area, and had to back track and hike uphill to find a way across the little stream. I'm sure it was all about the melt.

We saw a yellow-bellied marmot down a draw. We all took turns with the binocs. Craig tried to tell me it was a beaver. I didn't buy it.

When we got back to the car, I looked at the map and there were a list of animals at Yellowstone -- hence the yellow-bellied marmont.


Craig's brother said that was just a rock chuck. It's much easier to say.

They were a bit cheeky. They played hide and seek with us for a good thirty mintues.


















I loved the picture of the old burned tree with the fresh new growth. It made me think of my dad who had visited Yellowstone shortly after the fire. He was so angry that the park had been spoiled. But it is growing back, a living thing again.

Old Faithful

We arrived at Old Faithful 10 minutes before she was predicted to blow. We couldn't have timed it better.

The crowd was already starting to gather, but there were still plenty of seats to choose from on the bleachers.

She wasn't that impressive to begin with, and Craig kept teasing the boys that this was all it was.

Then she would bubble and spurt about a foot and the boys would say, "Oh, is that all?"

It seemed a whole lot of fuss over not very much.

And then she took off.

I probably didn't get a picture of the full height of the display.

She kept at it for at least a minute till she started dying down again.


Afterwards, we visited the gift shop like proper tourists. Josh wanted to see what was there. We mingled and mulled and ended up with a pocket knife for Josh and and wolf blanket for Boaz.

They were both happy to be on the way home.

Just outside of Island Park, Id, I saw two moose grazing. Craig pulled over, turned around, and got us to a good viewing spot. We got out the binocs one last time and oogled the two cows.

The only thing we didn't see was a bear. But we did spot the prints. Pretty good for just a day in Yellowstone. And, there is always the next time.

Josh being Josh

My camera didn't catch him at the right moment.

He wanted to be poised on the log a bit like the iconic Karate Kid crane poise.

I got him just before and just after.

Moms can't be perfect.

Anyway, he was a ninja the whole hike. He walked along the top rail of a log fence -- not the one guarding the cliff.

 He jumped off every rock that he saw. Basically he danced circles around me.

But I kept going and made it. Miracles do happen.