Now.....Still Beautiful.

Mr. Cottontail and Mrs. Lizard are the only two residents we saw this time.
The water in the creek was pretty high for this time of year and the grass was so tall that we couldn't see the sagebrush in places.
Dad is sitting on a barrel that they used for water. The place did have a well also.
This burned remains of the cabin was actually what was left of a sitting spot for my dad. Um...a sitting spot for thinking....he didn't have to sit there too often, since he was mostly a good boy. Grin.

The colors here were so soft, relaxing and the smell of the sage was wonderful and brought back so many good memories. I really miss these big sky's. What I don't miss are the spear grass, and the beggars lice. The cactus can be avoided but these two are impossible to keep out of.
The contrast is so pretty. Here we see the darkest darks and the lightest lights all in a natural landscape.
This was the sandbox that dad and his sisters played in as a kid. The soil is very soft sand. I had forgotten how sandy the bottom of Sweetwater (oh, how sweet it is!) River is, no wonder we loved playing in it.
Evidence of the burn. I imagine it was a beautiful sight to drive though these trees in the summer.

There are great echo's in this canyon...Our favorite question is: Do you like me? No or YES!! (Yes, Yes, yes....)

Sister Time

Miss Teri was doing well. I think she is actually better than last time I was home. We went out for lunch, she came to the reunion, to Sunday meeting and lunch, and out for ice cream. We went shopping at Walmart and she would have been up for more if I would have had more time. Her mood was good and we had some fun times together. It has been over 3 years since she had an acerbation (MS attack) basically she has stabilized since being in the "home". It is not fun to see her there but there are obvious positives. She has a lot of friends there and is well liked by the staff so that is all good too.

Peterson Family Reunion

Aunt Lois, Mom, Uncle Ed, Aunt Fern, Aunt Hazel

Aunt Fern, Aunt Lois, Mom, Aunt Hazel, Aunt Erma

Grandma Laura

First Stop: JellyStone!

Stopped in at Historic Wallace Idaho for an icecream cone, eaten in a bathtub. Played the coin operated "player piano" and enjoyed the break from driving very much.

Tower Falls!
Can you believe it? We actually saw a bear right by the road. Thrilling. Like old times in the Park.

The Yellowstone River was mighty big water!

The fire from 1988 still shows it's effects.
Upper Falls

Yellowstone River....so worth elbowing my way in for a good photo shot.

Happy Independece Day!

"Be ye Thankful."

Stage 2: Camp Vertical Ranch

Stage 1: Camp Vertical Ranch

We had a wonderful time with friends and family up at VR. We got a head start on Tooie and Beth so we snagged Joe on the way by. They kids played in Huckleberry Pond with Joe watching until about 10 min. before his folks showed up. Then he created a bit of a stir when he fell in too. We had nothing for him to wear so the kids dressed him in Grant's pj top. Joe refused to take it off when better fitting garments arrived...who can blame him? It was totally cool to wear a pajama top with a T-Rex on it, and be able to flap the long sleeves about. See how cool he feels licking the salt and butter off the corn while hanging out in his lounge wear?
Danny is less dramatic but ever so cute! He loves being outside and he is crawling!!

Here we find T.J. taking a break on the new gift I received from my fabulous sister-in-law! It was a great addition to the camp. This girl even took a much needed nap in it but woke up when a moose came tromping down the hill. Oh, no moose, just me and some tag a long kids.

Tooie cooked our first steaks and all the sides on Gentry's new grill platform. It is awesome and the meal was wonderful.
Janell with her "engagement" ring.

Doing what all good boys must do.
The "Origami Swan" makes its maiden voyage on Lake Cle Elem, motor and all. Lovely not to have to paddle us all across.
Danny gets a kiss, and we are relieved that these guys made it back. Apparently we are all expected to give it a go. Gentry got us all ferried across just to find out that our picnic area on the other side was already occupied....... by swarms of mosquitoes! We sent the women and children back first and I hung out with Troy and Grant, protected by my long sleeves, pants, and possibly by the lavender oil. Hey, I did not get any bites, so maybe that does work? Smells better than OFF!

Again, what all good boys must do.....

Ahh...a refreshing shower out of the hillside tap, wakes you right up!