Floating the River, Harriman Park and Mesa Falls

Labor Day weekend we decided to go camping up in Island Park. We didn't have to go very far when we found a beautiful little campground called River View. We parked our motor home and then headed out in our Jeep to see Harriman State Park. It was so quiet and peaceful there. Harriman was the man that brought the railroad to the west. He had a huge (and I mean HUGE) ranch retreat for the rich. His family deeded it to the State as a state park and now everyone (even us little poor people) get to enjoy it!

There were sparkling lakes.... (The lake to the left is named Silver Lake...so beautiful, I didn't want to leave!)

We didn't get to go to Golden Lake but maybe next time.

lazy winding rivers... (The picture to the right is the Henry's Fork River. There are several paths that meander along it's banks...They make for a peaceful day!)

...and all the old buildings

that leave their foot print of history on the land are fascinating to see.

(All the things I love!!)

Relaxing...enjoying the moment. Austin loves to take pictures just like we do. So, we let him use one of the cameras and now he just about knows it better then we do!

He takes great panoramic pictures. Like this one of Silver Lake...

(I have to say that he is turning into a pretty good photographer...)

Taking a rest.....................................................................................Now off to see something new....























Later that day we went to Mesa Falls. It is a beautiful place if you have never been there... go!

It starts out with a sea of yellow flowers...well, there's really just a large planter of them but oh boy they were so pretty! I love wild flowers and these just hit the spot! Warm, happy yellow :)


Then you walk down the path and stairway to the falls. But don't go alone, you have to have someone to share the beauty with! (Your so handsome hon!! :))


and don't forget your camera! Aust is taking a picture of the falls . This time he did a vertical panorama.



















It is a great water fall. When you stand there and here it roaring over the edge you can feel it's awesome power being so close to it.


It is mesmerizing to watch all those millions of gallons of water rush over and fall...down...down.... down.. then crash and splash below!



While at Mesa Falls we ran into Spencer and Jessica and their girls. It was great to see family.



After words we were pretty hot and tired so we just went back to the camp ground for dinner and relaxation. Austin road his bike with some other kids from the campground while Terry challenged me to a game of Rummy-K. (His favorite because he always wins!)



Here is the Rummy-K King in deep thought thinking about his next move...

Did he win?.....OF COURSE! (Oh brother ;))

Aust was a little boy-scout and started a great fire. It was a beautiful, quiet night. (except for the camper's dog next door...he didn't like our fire, and sure let us know it.)

The next morning I got up early and went down to the river on a walk. The boys were still asleep and I didn't want to wake them since they stayed up later then I did. The river was beautiful. Here are two of my pictures...

It was so nice to get out into nature...and just as the sun came up too. There is a peace you can't quite match any other time of the day.










I met a little chipmunk on my way. He was so tiny that I could have fit him in my hand. But boy that little guy could sure run! He got away before I could even think of pulling out my camera. Oh well.


I finally got back to the boys and they already had breakfast ready...Yippee!


Later that day we went floating down the Henry's Fork River up by Mack's Inn. It's a five mile float trip and we rented a canoe. It was a wonderful time, we really didn't have to row to much because the currant takes you down stream but we did have to row to keep it strait and off of the sandbars. A couple of times we got stuck but Ter was kind enough to get out and push us into deeper water. Here is a picture of the boys rowing. Pretty serious faces. They were determined not to get stuck on any more sandbars!



Here is the river bank. I loved the tall flowing grasses...and this bird was like a statue.



it would not move! We floated right by it and it didn't even flutter. Very strange.

Here is a panorama view of our float trip.


We had a great time! Life is wonderful when you can spend it with the ones you love!

Baby Chicks! Soft and Fluffy...

Well we finally got the baby chicks we ordered but I didn't know it would be this exciting! Aust has been counting down for days. Terry and I went into the post office to pick them up and you could here them chirping it was echoing through the entire building. The lady behind the counter didn't really want to give them to us, she had kind of grown attached. (They are very cute!) We finally got them home and Aust was so excited he just couldn't wait to hold them.

The little one above is a Rhode Island White and the one to the left is a Barred Rock.

I just loved to watch Aust hold them so sweetly. He has such a tender heart. The one to the left is a bit of a dare-devil. She'll peel out and speed across the brood box. (Running over the other chicks) So we called her Harley. (Like Harley Davidson) She is always in a hurry to get somewhere... quite a peppy little thing and I think she is Austin's favorite. The little white mark on her head looks like a little mohawk. You can't see her little face in the picture because she is so black but eventually she will have white bars across her feathers.

The yellow one above looks like all the other little yellow ones so I call them all "Miss cuddles" they love to cuddle! They aren't near as feisty as Harley. (None of them are as wild as her and there are 25 of them!) The yellows will eventually turn white. All of them are so soft and fluffy and only just two days old and they have already flown in an airplane!

It took a while to get the lamp to the right height for the correct temperature but as soon as it was, they settled in quite nicely and quieted a bit. They love to eat and drink and peck at anything on the floor. We have them in our unfinished basement bathroom because they are to young to go out side yet. In about six weeks we will put them in a pen outside.

The chicks are Austin's responsibility, he thinks that is pretty neat. He likes to have responsibilities it makes him feel needed and more grown up. He is such a thoughtful and very dependable young man. We are so blessed to be his parents. Well the chirping is getting louder... better go check.......ummm ....don't know what the problem was but Harley was standing in the middle of the feed mash like the "Queen of Bunker Hill". Maybe the other's wernt to happy about that.

I hope chicks sleep at night, otherwise none of us will sleep, their chorus echos loud and clear and it sounds like we have a sea of birds in the house. But how can I complain when they are so very,very cute! :)

These chicks remind me of a poem in the young women's manual. Since I have been put in as the Beehive Advisor I've been thinking a lot about this poem and it's meaning. This is a good place to post it.

Coming Out
Some hatchings hurt. … And the new learning softness is so very tender. It’s frightening to be nothing more than the palest puff that peeps. And so remember, remember clarion call to shelter:“I will gather … as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings …” A place to grow in strength.(Dianne Dibb Forbis, New Era, Dec. 1977, p. 7.)