HANGING OUT AT THE RIVER

Pam is always looking for that perfect shot!

Such a beautiful little girl!

What a cutie!

GONE FISHING

Papa Loren helping Chase with his fishing pole...

and his casting.

Chad and Meg trying their luck further downstream. Unfortunately there wasn't even a nibble!!

CHASE TURNING 4!!

Chase turns 4 on July 13 so we gave him his birthday presents early.

Papa Loren reading Dr. Seuss to Chase...


and supervising the lego creations.

4-WHEELING

Rick, Brett, Chad, Pam, Meg and Chase are here for their annual visit. For their first full day, we decided to go on a long 4-wheeler ride. The weather and scenery were beautiful and the "road" was challenging enough to keep it exciting.

Rick contemplating life?

A short rest.....

Brett chillin'

Rica, Meg and Chad.

Pam does an amazing job riding the trails!

What a beautiful little girl!!!

Chase is ready to take over.


One little mishap... Brett hit a rock that threw him off the trail.

Catch you later.... (Chase and Rick)

HOME IMPROVEMENT (continued....)

Loren put up the faux beams on the livingroom ceiling and enclosed the stovepipe at the ceiling. It looks soooooo good!

45TH PARALLEL

Thought I'd share a couple pictures of the 45th parallel we cross just outside of New Meadows. It is absolutely beautiful country!!

TRIP TO POCATELLO

Heidi and I went down to Pocatello to visit with relatives. We stayed at my parents' house and had a nice long visit with them. The next day we had lunch with my brother Jay, my sister-in-law Pat, and two of their daughters (Natalie and Sarah) before heading back to Boise. I stayed in Boise with Heidi and Guy on the trip down and on my trip back home. Heidi and I got a lot of errands done (and threw in a little shopping too). Thanks so much for the hospitality Heidi and Guy!!!

Heidi with her grandparents; Zola and Deryl Parris at their home in Virginia, Idaho.

Jay, Pat, Natalie, Sarah, Heidi and I met for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays in Pocatello. It was really nice visiting with them but we didn't have nearly enough time to catch up. My brother's oldest daughter is in Washington, DC, doing an internship at the State Department so, obviously, was not able to join us. Check out her DC blog at graciebingham.blogspot.com.

Damn Bears!!

Looks like a yearling bear was looking for grubs in the 335 seat! The 250 also has some teeth marks on the seat. I know, I know they were here first!

SPRINGTIME ON THE MOUNTAIN

A LONG TIME COMING.....

It took 35 years but we finally have a good start on a lawn! Loren swore he would never mow again but I think he actually enjoyed this. I love the grass and so do the dogs. Thanks Loren!!!!

BACK IN IDAHO

Chica and I made it back to Idaho on Friday, May 22, and it is good to be home!!

We stayed in Searchlight Wednesday night and Jackpot Thursday night. Our good friends, Ross and Flo McNurlin, from Twin Falls (and next-door-neighbors in Yuma) took me to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Jackpot and then I stopped by their home Friday morning for a coffee fix before hitting the road. Thanks Ross and Flo!

I then had lunch with Heidi in Boise before heading to the mountain. Thanks for lunch Heidi!

Below are some examples of a new hobby I picked up on my way to Idaho -- photography at 80 mph.

The pictures above and below are at Havasu Springs outside of Lake Havasu City. It is beautiful (okay, I stopped for these two pictures)!

The desert landscape is constantly changing and beautiful.

I don't know what kind of tree this is but it was completely covered with pink flowers and was absolutely gorgeous against the brilliant blue sky in Jackpot, Nevada.

CHICA

Chica has started moving her entire toy "box" around the living room. I'm not sure what she is trying to tell me but it sure is cute!

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

I had lunch today with some of the ladies I used to work with at the Department of Agriculture. Left to right: Rebecca Land, me, Yolanda Pereda, and Connie Morrill. They were all hired as Agriculture Inspectors for the emergency Med Fly Team and only Yolanda is still with the Department. Rebecca went back to school and is graduating with her associates degree next week. Connie moved to Boston to be near her daughter but returned to Yuma and now she and her parents are moving to New Mexico. We had a really good time and decided we would do lunch at least once a month when I return in the fall.

Is it Summer Yet???

Yesterday we, hopefully, had our last snow storm for the season.....

A funny looking elk showed up also. It is actually a displaced Bighorn Ewe hanging with the Elk. Her closest habitat is probably Hells Canyon or the Seven Devils. It's the first time I've ever seen one around the cabin!

SUMMER IN YUMA = RATTLESNAKES!

Chuck, our neighbor here in Yuma, has spotted four rattlesnakes in the last couple of days. This one was in the wrong place at the wrong time (or maybe the right time)!! He measures 53" and has 15 rattles.