Two weeks of rain...

...two weeks of being cooped up indoors, resulted in multiple pathetic cases of cabin fever at my house last week. We had to get out. A break in the rain, a suggestion to go walking, leading to an afternoon of fun in our very own Nature's Water Park. Ours as in 'all of us', much of this canyon is BLM land. A short, five minute stroll from our front gate. This canyon is steep and the two-track muddy slick, a slippery slidery trip down to the bottom. The sound of the wind howling through the tops of the pines and the roar of the rushing creek energizes the soul.

Feeling the freedom of running with the wind, leaping, racing the water. Cort does too....

In a few short months these rapids will dry to a trickle and the hot sun will suck away the green.

Rubber boots, a boy, and water...

Rubber boots, a man, and his two dogs..... (just in case you were wondering)

Playing. One measuring the depth and checking the current. The other considering the construction of a foot bridge using downed timber, he even mentioned going home for a mule and ropes.

Leaping for pleasure, cuz he can.

Leaping up hill, over dangerously rushing waters, to bravely save me from the attack of an aggressive, starving cougar. The mountain lion sprints away at the charge of the courageous canine, leaving me unharmed. Once again my heroic companion saves the day..... and that's my story.

End of the trail. The canyon gets steeper, the creek rapids swifter, the rock bottom rockier. I let Carson decide if we continue onward, he decides not, his paws are as far in the water as he's going to get.

We back-track, play in mud and water, search for gold, discover four varieties of tiny wild flowers, make plans to hike over to a different creek. When the sprinkles come, we climb out of the canyon and make it home before the down pour.

I enjoyed my wet and muddy trails. Enjoy yours!

McCall, Idaho

We made a quick trip up to Idaho last week to spend time with Jerry's sons and family. One had come home on leave from military service in Iraq. We all met up in McCall and stayed in this neat 'cabin'. The snow was white, fresh and deep. One grandson was able to skip school and be there to spend time with his military Daddy.

The view from the cabin windows.

The cabin windows with the 'view'.

The grandson asked me to bury him and take pictures. We had so much fun playing in the snow.

We spent an entire day in the woods in the mountains riding snowmobiles. Fabulous.

Jerry enjoyed playing with his boys and their toys.

Fresh snow had fallen the night before, we were the only tracks out there. The trails were freshly groomed and smooth.

Love those trees.

Snow was falling wet and heavy on our trip back in. We could have used mini-windshield wipers on our goggles.


It was a great visit but the time went by much too quickly.

Back to California and our green grass, flowers and more rain. Flash flood warnings are being issued.

Happy Trails.

Deep Steeps, Wicked Lines.......

Still more Jackson Hole, Wyoming pictures to share.....


I am not an advanced skier and I wanted to go to the top of the mountain, without having to ski back down on very scary black diamond runs. So, we rode the tram to the top, had breakfast, looked around, were awed by the scenery, then rode the tram back down. I know, very wimpy....

Corbet's Cabin, at the top, provides a warm place to sit and enjoy a hot cocoa with wonderful breakfast waffles.

The tram leaves Teton Village, elevation 6311 feet and runs up the mountain to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, elevation 10,450 feet.

Each trip up the mountain, the tram is packed with about 100 people and their gear. Skiers, snow boarders and a even few sight-seers planning to get back down the mountain via tram (us).

View from the summit. The day we were here, was the only blue sky day all week.

Steep and deep.

Does that look vertical? It is. Are those ski and board tracks? They are. Deep, steep, wicked...

This photo was taken from the tram.

Did we go down there? hahahahaha hardly........

Are they getting ready to fling themselves down there? yep.......

Does that look cold? It was. Did I walk out to the end of that crazy overhanging deck? No. I have an issue with heights.


We left the summit on the tram, returned to the village, put on our skis and spent the afternoon on the less steep part of the resort.

It was wonderful!

What's Up Today?

We've had two days of rains. Last night and pre-dawn this morning it sounded like we were in the middle of a roaring river, the rains and wind were pounding us. By late morning, the sun was peeking through the clouds and my yard wandering revealed fresh new life.


My garden gnome is steadily guarding the heart-leaved bergenias. I enjoy their thick, dark ,evergreen leaves. The pink flowers show up in the winter and stay through spring.

The resurrection lilies showing off thick green foliage will soon whither away. Then, late in summer we will be 'surprised' by the Naked Pink Ladies.

My primroses have been blooming nicely throughout the winter. Keeping it real here, you see I do need to do some dead-heading.

This little violet is the first of the season, I was so excited to see it this morning, I decided to share my flowers with you today.

These small, bright yellow daffodils are later blooming than our more abundant taller pale variety. The taller ones are finished already.

They are quite cheerful along the fence line.

I planted these from tiny bulbs two years ago. This is the very first one to bloom and I don't remember what it is. It's very tiny and delicate.

This flower and the following one, I have found randomly growing around the yard. When I find one, I dig it up and transfer it to a flower bed. Otherwise, they get chomped by horses, mules, dogs and mowers.

They are cute and colorful, bloom in the late winter/early spring and I have no idea what they are. But I like 'em!

The white lilac bush is ready to burst! While the purple lilacs are just beginning to show buds.

Sunny forsythia bushes signaling the approach of spring.

Plum blossom on our Elephant Heart Plum tree.

This little yearling tree is thick with blossoms. I am beginning to notice honey bees visiting.

It is a Santa Rosa Plum Tree. I certainly enjoy my little hobby orchard.

The largest bud on our loaded Double Delight Nectarine Tree.

This decorative plum tree is in full bloom. I'd like a few more of these.

Blue skies and white clouds, but NO oak leaves yet.

I hope that your day has been a lovely one, no matter what your weather has been.


Tomorrow, Jerry and I head off to the deep winter snows of Idaho for a few days. His son is home on leave from Iraq and we want to visit before he ships back out.


Keep our military men in your prayers please.

Happy, peaceful trails to you.

Yellowstone Park, Wyoming

No words needed......

Happy Trails!