A Mountain Wedding & Backpacking

Friday July 11th Mike, Beck, Cassius, and I took off for Ketchum, Idaho to camp out for a couple of nights. Our friends, Ron & Amy, were getting married on Saturday at Galena Lodge and we wanted to make sure we had a good campsite for the next couple of nights. We arrived late in the afternoon and secured two great campsites for the weekend. After setting up camp we had a great time hanging out and taking Beck to the river for a swim.

The Holley Pack (North Fork Camp Ground, near Ketchum, ID.)

Beck taking a dive into the river

Saturday we spent the day hanging around with Mark, Stevie, and Theresa. We all got as dolled up as we could considering we didn't have any running water and headed to Galena Lodge for the wedding. It was really great to see friends that we haven't seen in a long time.

D & Mike standing near the meadow where the wedding ceremony took place

I guess being a fire fighter really does get a guy chicks :)

L-R: Jen, Deb, Mike, D, & Sarai

After a night of sleep we packed up our stuff and headed over Galena Summit into the Sawtooth Mountain Range. We parked at Pettit Lake and headed into the mountains. We started in the middle of the day and holy crap it was HOT! I went through three liters of water in no time, mainly because I was giving most of it to the dogs. We reached Farley Lake about 2 hours later and filtered more water and had a snack. Next it was off to Toxaway Lake. We initially tried to find a camp site on the lake, but the mosquitoes were horrible so we kept on moving trying to get out of mosquito land. Finally we settled for this camp site:

The bugs were still pretty bad, even at a higher elevation. Did I mention we ran out of bug spray? And that I have a flashing neon sign above my head that is only visible to the mosquito population that says "Buffet"? Needless to say I got eaten alive and the dogs were getting pretty beat up too. I am actually surprised that I don't have West Nile and that the dogs haven't shown signs of heart worm. So after a hurried dinner I stuck the dogs in the tent to keep them from the bugs.

Mike and I soon joined the dogs in the tent, which is only a 2 man, 0 dog tent, so it was quite a squeeze with all of us in there. I think next year's REI dividend will have to go to a three man backpacking tent.

The next morning Cassius didn't feel like getting up because it was too cold, so he ended up sleeping while Mike, Beck and I filtered water and started the coffee.

Rather than hiking over the pass, we didn't know if it was open or not, we headed back down the way we came in to the car. We made pretty good time getting out. We drove into Stanley for the standard after back packing meal: burger and fries. We made another stop just outside of Stanley where I made the dogs pose in front of the Sawtooths. Obviously, they were interested in something moving in the bushes and could care less about my need for blog photos.

After our stops in Stanley we took our time driving to Placerville where we met up with our friends Cody and Kelli to spend a couple of days with them at their family cabin. It was so nice to have running water again! It was a great trip and I can't wait for more backpacking trips.

Cassius & THE CRAZY DAISY

For those of you that new my dog Orion, you probably heard the tale of the Crazy Daisy. A Crazy Daisy is a children's' water toy that you attach to a garden hose and when you turn on the water the daisy flops around in all directions spraying water everywhere.

Orion was obsessed with the Crazy Daisy and it provided endless entertainment for all that watched. I would often set it up in the front yard of the house I lived in on 13th street (a busy street in Hyde Park) and people on their bikes or walking along would stop and watch. Orion didn't even know they were there. It was the ultimate dog sitting toy.

Well, Cassius has always had something against the hose, and I thought he would enjoy a Crazy Daisy. After three summers of looking for one I finally came across one at Target a while back (it was even on sale). Over the 4th of July weekend while my sister and her family were visiting we hooked up the crazy daisy and this was the result.

4th of July Weekend

Anna, Alex, Ethan, & Aidan arrived Thursday the 3rd in the afternoon. After a quick greeting from the dogs we all got ready and headed to Roaring Springs to burn off some cooped up energy. We couldn't have asked for a better day to go to the water park. It was over 100 degrees and lounging by the water was excellent. I had a great time riding some slides with Ethan and Aidan, and we all enjoyed the lazy river. Poor Anna lost her Michael Koors (SP?) sunglasses in the lazy river.

Friday Mike came home from work and he and Alex headed for the golf course. Anna, Ethan, Aidan, and I browsed around Sierra Trading Post and then had lunch with the boys. In the afternoon we enjoyed the backyard and the swimming pool. The dogs were in heaven with the boys here. Ethan and Aidan never quit playing with them and were always willing to throw a ball for Beck.

Aidan & Cassius playing in the back yard
Once the boys were done golfing we all headed out to look at the new Legacy Development and check out Eagle Fire Department's newest station (located next to Legacy). Ethan and Aidan were stoked to play on the fire trucks, but I think Uncle Mike also had a great time playing on the trucks.

Ethan showing off the Captain's Helmet

Aidan with the Captain's Helmet

Ethan checking out the radio headphones
**PS-Thanks to Station 3's B shift: Brad, Theron, & Andy for letting us tour the station**
After a delicious dinner at the Eagle Rib Shack we made our way to the Hawks game. We kept with tradition from two years ago when the McCallister's came for the 4th of July. The game was fine, the Hawks won, but the people watching was fantastic. The fireworks started off a bit crazy this year and Aidan wasn't too pleased. After a couple of minutes he was enjoying them.
D & Anna at the Hawks Game

Aidan, Alex, & Mike

Mike & D

Aidan-NOT HAPPY with the fireworks "NO LIKE!"

Saturday we took our time getting out of the house. Mike and I went to the gym for a bit and when we came home on the motorcycle Aidan had to give it a try.

Aidan checking out the motorcycle
Later in the morning we wondered around downtown Boise and had some lunch. One of the best memories of the weekend was watching Alex change a diaper on a bench outside the Cactus Bar. For those of you from Boise, you know what a good location it is ;)

Alex changing a diaper. I love the Boise Weekly under Aidan's butt as a sanitary protector
Later on Saturday we came back to the house and let the boys play in the pool for a while. Later we all moved onto Majestic Cinemas so we could escape the afternoon heat. Anna went to see wanted, Alex & Mike went to see Hancock, and I took Ethan & Aidan to Wall-E. After the movies I got my BBQ on and made a feast for the group. We finished the evening off by roasting marsh mellows on the back patio. It was a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to see the McCallister Family again soon.


Ethan & Aidan Partying in the Pool