5/29-30/2010: American Creek, ID

In honor of Memorial Day the eight of us set out for FST 328, which parallels the very patriotic American Creek. Not only was this trip in honor of those who have fought for our freedoms, it was also Laurels first backpacking trip.

We arrived at the trailhead to overcast skies and intermittent rain. Our car was the only one at the trailhead and our footprints shared the trail with those of wolves, moose, deer as well as others we couldn't identify.

Our trail followed the creek through Buck Meadows. The route was nice and level, which made my pack weight only slightly more bearable. Even Zane managed to walk the majority of the trip. The only difficult spot involved a ford of the creek. The crossing was easy as far as fords go, it was only painfully cold.

We set up camp in American Creek Meadow around 2:00. we spent the rest of the day exploring, playing and trying to coax fire out of saturated wood.

Sunday morning I woke up early and walked the extra 1 1/2 miles up to Marble Point. It had once been the site of a lookout tower and I was hoping it would afford a view of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the trees had reclaimed their former ground and I was left with only tree obscurred glimpses of the surrounding mountains.

Our walk back out Sunday was much sunnier than it had been on Saturday. We enjoyed blue skies as we walked the 3 1/2 miles back to the trailhead. We had a great time and enjoyed the backcountry solitude in our "backyard".

5/15/10: A Full Day Outdoors

Jen had a women's Bible study brunch at the house Saturday morning. I took the six kids for a hike along Threemile Creek before heading back home. We then all loaded up and drove up Hungry Ridge Road to the Buck Meadows area where we cooked hot dogs for dinner over a camp fire. We had a great time and got to explore a new part of the forest.

5/23/10: Sunday Afternoon Trip

The kids had been wanting to go to a "sandy beach", so we took them down to Skookumchuck Recreation Area on the Salmon River. We had the beach to ourselves and enjoyed getting to play. We looped through Banner Ridge and Free Use Ridge roads on our way back to town, spooking  a herd of elk in the process.

5/7/10: Hungry Ridge Road

Jen was heading to a women's retreat this afternoon and dropped the kids off at the hospital with me. Instead of cooking dinner at home and having to clean up afterwards, we headed into the forest. We drove up along Mill Creek, built a fire and cooked hot dogs and marshmallows. It may have been poor in nutrition, but it was rich in fun.

4/30-5/1/10: Bruneau Dunes State Park

I had to be in Boise for a meeting Tursday night. While there we decided to camp at Bruneau Dunes SP Friday night to let the kids play in the sand. The big dune is claimed to be the tallest single structured dune in North America (470 ft). The six kids (Laurel in the front carrier and Zane on my shoulders) braved blowing sand and 30 mph winds as we conquered the crest of the dune.