Owyhee Mountain Day Trip...

Nancy and I headed out last Tuesday to travel the Owyhee Upland Backcountry road.  I had heard dad talk about the roads in the Owyhees so we were prepared.  However, we discovered that the road for this trip was more like a freeway - minus the traffic.  Obviously, dad spent more time on the side roads as this was very well maintained for us sissies.  While you could safely travel 30 mph on this road, we discovered we were traveling an average of 10 mph because we stopped so many times.

It was incredibly beautiful in a way that's hard to describe.  I've always loved the mountains and this was totally different.  Gnarly old Juniper trees, deep canyons with crystal clear streams, and stands of aspen in unexpected places.

So here, in pictures, is our trip in order as we left Jordan Valley until we got to Grandview...

 

Someone took a lot of time to hike through the rattlesnake infested desert, up these cliffs to build this rock formation.  Or, was it aliens...

 

 

I was fascinated by the beautiful moss growing on all the trees...

This was the coolest fence, I think we need to build one!

 

In several places they had been thinning the Juniper as they evidently tend to take over.  However, we got to a spot where these HUGE junipers in a swatch about 1/4 mile wide had evidently blown over.  Not a one standing.  There must have been one hell of a windstorm through there.  Or, was it aliens...

We did take one side road trying to find Little Jacks Creek.  That's where I understood dad saying that the roads were horrible.  We bounced out of our seats but came across this badger running down the road in front of us.  He was too stupid to run into the brush and he stayed on the road for quite a long time.

The closest thing we could find to Mt. Rushmore...

 Our last stop, an old cemetery.

 

I had never understood why dad loved the desert so much until this trip.  It was spectacular and I highly recommend it if you want to get out and see some of the beauty of Idaho.

 

Owyhee Backcountry Byway - Road Trip!

Last spring I watched a segment on Outdoor Idaho about a really great day trip called the Owyhee Backcountry Byway.  I decided after seeing the show, that was a trip I wanted to take.  I had originally talked to Linda about grabbing Nancy and heading out, but since Chawley and Lola (I've decided I'm going to call her Lola, cause that's CLOSE to Lala, her nickname and I love that show) left Idaho, then it was on to Plan B.

So, Tuesday Nancy and I are heading out on this day-long road trip into the Owyhees.  We drive to Jordan Valley, Or where we take off on a dirt road for about 100 miles before hitting the highway back in Grandview, Idaho.

Nancy's picking me up by 6am and we'll head out hoping to hit Jordan Valley about daylight and catch some antelope.

I'm excited to take my new camera (have I mentioned how much I love that thing!).  We're taking blankets, plenty of food and water. 

Here are some pictures of the area...

 

 

I'm really looking forward to this trip.  I'm sure it will give me a better understanding of dad's love for the Owyhees and I love the high desert.  If we're not home by 10pm, you know where to send the Calvary!

In Keeping With My Annual Tradition, Happy First Day of Fall!

 

I hope you're enjoying a beautiful day!

Horseback Riding with Grace...

I got Grace a gift certificate to take her horseback riding for her birthday.  We had a wonderful day together and it made me realize that once each grandchild turns 5, I won't be buying them gifts anymore.  I want to give them a day with grandma doing something fun together, just the 2 of us.

We got up to Garden Valley and as soon as we got on the horses, it started raining.  But it was so beautiful and wonderful that neither of us minded.  In fact, I think we both really enjoyed riding in the rain.

We stopped at the old Youren house - you know how I love old buildings!

Can you tell I was soaked?

After riding, we drove up to the old Charters Mansion.  It's now deserted but I hear they're going to turn it into a restaurant.  It's owned by Don Weilmunster - big surprise!

 



Too Close For Comfort...

Thursday night we had 3 storms roll through our area that brought lots of lightning, thunder and rain.  All came with "severe storm" alerts on the tv and cell phones.  The first two went slightly west of us so we escaped the 6 inches of hail, flash floods, and high winds.  I did sit on the porch and watch the storms roll past wishing they had hit us as well - who doesn't love a good storm?

As we were alerted to the third storm, I stepped outside to see Elmer working on getting the chicken coop upright as it had been blown over by the one high gust of wind we had gotten with the second storm.  With the wraparound porch, you can't see sky until you get to the end so I started walking toward the back porch to check his progress on the coop.

I looked up at the sky and couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Black and grey clouds were moving to the north east faster than I have ever seen clouds move.  It scared me!  Elmer was up at the chicken coop trying to upright it with the buggy.  He had it running and couldn't really hear what I was saying as I started yelling at him, "Get inside!  Look at those clouds!"

He gave me the "I can't hear what you're saying so quit yelling at me" look.  So, I yelled louder.  "Turn around and look at those clouds!  Can't you see them?  Get inside!"

He gave me the look again and yelled, "JUST A MINUTE!"  Obviously annoyed that I was yelling at him.

About 2 seconds later, I watched as a lightning bolt hit in the draw just up behind him and at the same time as the lighting hear a HUGE crack.  No thunder, just the lightning and the crack.

Well, I've never seen Elmer move so fast!  His shoulders went up, his head ducked and he jumped in the buggy and headed to the house.  He got out so fast he didn't even shut the buggy door.  I then told him how close that lightning bolt had come to hitting him and scolded him for not listening to me.  While he said the experience made his butt pucker, he was very upset that when the chicken coop blew over the 2 eggs inside broke.

Living in Garden Valley, we had several experiences where lightning hit "too close" and we're all very respectful of what can happen.  I think now, Elmer may have found that same respect!