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!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Jan. 2011

Double H Bar National Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride


Horse-drawn sleighs transported groups right into the midst of the resting elk herds. Thick, warm throw blankets provided a welcome barrier to the bitter, cold wind sweeping across the valley. Our knowledgeable and skilled driver/guide answered our questions and explained the history of the refuge.

The elk don't react to the horses and sleighs; we were quiet, stayed seated and were able to closely observe bulls, cows and calves. Loved those antlers!

There were elk as far as you could see. The forage available beneath the snow and the body condition of the elk are closely monitored to determine how much hay to put out daily as supplemental feed. There is a fence to keep the elk off the freeway, and though they can wander the valley lengthwise for quite some distance, they tend to stay where the feeding areas are. Once the snows melt and green starts showing, the elk split up and begin the trek back up into the mountains.

The elk have migrated here from the mountains for centuries. Once their winter feeding ranges became populated by ranchers, the elk discovered stores of cattle hay made for easy meals. After several years of slaughtering the offending elk to save the cattle, concerned cattlemen and citizens pooled resources and raised funds to feed and designate land for safe wintering of the large elk herds. The herd appears fat and healthy.

Not all survive the winter. The fallen bodies are left to nature.

A mangy coyote retreating from his feast.

We thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. Being able to experience these wild creatures 'close-up' without disturbing them was awesome. If you get to Jackson Hole in the winter, you must take this tour!

California Sunshine in the Winter

A Michigan native, ten years in California, I continue to be thrilled and thoroughly enjoy our abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers in the middle of February.

The Orange tree is in a friend's yard, near Fresno, she generously gifted me a huge sack of oranges.

I am still editing my Wyoming vacation pictures. I'll share them as soon as I get through them, Mom!