Home Again . . .

It seems like we just got home . . .  and we've been home for almost a week!  We had a great time, caught up on lots of rest, played cards til' I won a hand.... ;0)  sat by the fire, read, and did . . . . nothing . . . . and it felt good!!

Setting up at our favorite spot.

Caribou Mountain looking very majestic!

Feeling like I'm on top of the world!

Quick story - Bob and I have found at least 3 lost dogs while we have been in the mountains, and this camping trip was no exception!   We were just minding our own business, driving down a beautiful road, when Bob said, "There's a dog in the road."  I thought it was a calf, but sure enough, it was a dog, he was standing in the middle of the road, and he was very lost!  I'm pretty sure that God knows how gullible we are, and just drops them right in our path to take care of!!

 He was so sad . . . and soooo skinny!  We gave him a little food, but not too much, especially since he was so hungry, and had been without food for a long time.  

 This poor guy was so weak, he couldn't even get into into the truck by himself - Bob had to lift him in.  He did have on a collar with a name and phone number on it, and a GPS collar.  We called his owner, who fortunately, was not very far away - and  in fact, had been coming to the hills, looking for his dog everyday for a week!!  They had been bear hunting, and his dog got away from him and had been gone for 7 days . . . without food, thank goodness there was plenty of water.   His owner was very happy to see him, as he was his best dog!  This beautiful dog was named, Jake!

Cole did not know what to think about Jake. . . sitting on his seat!!  But he tolerated him, even let him lay down while he sat on the floor!

 

We were on a walk and Cole scared up this rabbit - it scared him to more than it scared the rabbit!

Cole had a great time playing in the forest!

Yes, there are still cowboys in Idaho . . . 

And gorgeous sunrises . . .

Cool nights, perfect for sitting in front of a fire . . .

Amazing skies . . .

Trees, perfectly spaced for putting up a hammock . . . 

To take naps in  . . . 

John Muir said it perfectly when he said:

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." 

Have a beautiful week!!

Hugs,

Home Sweet Home . . .

It's always so good to come home from a vacation, no matter how much you loved being away with family,  there's no place like, "home sweet home"!

We had such a good time!  Camping is always fun at our house . . . never a dull moment here!  The view that we woke up to each morning was so beautiful! 

Now everybody knows that the first thing you do when you go camping, is start a fire!  Christian made sure that the fire was burning, and that there was plenty of smoke to keep the mosquitoes away! 

Napping is also essential to a good camping trip!  Caleb and grandpa taking a nap! 

 

 

 

 

Lots of smiles . . . an one little Ninja!  Aren't they cute?!

 

 

 And of course we caught fish!  Emily caught the biggest one this day - she's very proud!

Grandpa and Caleb, sharing a few secrets . . . 

Christian teaching Brody the fine art of bow making!

Averi kept us entertained dancing to Hanna Montana!!

And of course, the coziest part of the day is always when you get to put on your jammies and cuddle up under a warm quilt . . . Caleb and Averi, all snuggled up in grandma and grandpa's trailer.

 

We didn't see any bears, but we saw plenty of "bear hugs"!

We were packing-up and getting ready to go home - I felt sorry for the kids, this was the only shade they could find!

Caleb was helping us pack-up and head out!

We had hot days and cloudy, stormy afternoons, but by evening, it would clear up again and be gorgeous.  Well, you know me, I can't pass up a picture of a cloud or a good rain storm!  Mother Nature never disappoints me!

We all made it home safe and sound,  everyone back to work and back to the daily grind!  We all had fun, despite the tummy aches, flies and mosquitoes!  There is nothing in the world like being in the great outdoors with the ones you love the most!   I love this quote by, Margaret Elizabeth Sangster:

"God made the forests, the tiny stars, and the wild winds--and I think that he made them partly as a balance for that kind of civilization that would choke the spirit of joy out of our hearts. He made the great open places for the people who want to be alone with him and talk to him, away from the crowds that kill all reverence. And I think that he is glad at times to have us forget our cares and responsibilities that we may be nearer him--as Jesus was when he crept away into the wilderness to pray."

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

 "The Gypsy Spirit"

Hugs and Love.