Monday, January 3, 2011

STANLEY 2010 -- LOON CREEK CORRIDOR.

If you live in Idaho and don't own this book -- you should! It profiles some really awesome trips -- including the one we took through the Loon Creek Corridor to Pinyon Peak Lookout! (Oh, yes, you knew there HAD to be at least one lookout adventure during my Stanley visit)! Dad had been reading through his copy of this book and found this loop he was really excited about. Let me just say, I am SO GLAD I went on this trip! The views were A-MAZING! However, I say I am glad I went because I might not ever go again! It was a LOOONG trip on some VERY rugged roads. Near the end of the drive, I had had it! My guts were so tired of being bounced around! It was a super cool trip -- we just should have taken TWO days to make the loop! Again, I can't imagine making the trip with anyone but Mom and Dad! They are THE greatest adventurers! I feel so blessed they passed along their passions for adventure, the outdoors, and laughter! I simply love being in the woods with them! And now I give you, the Loon Creek Corridor . . .

THE YANKEE FORK
(Sunbeam, Bonanza, Custer)

JACKSON AT SUNBEAM
I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF HIM!

ROCK SHOPPING THROUGH THE DREDGE TAILINGS AT BONANZA

A BONANZA CAIRN!

CUSTER.

I LOVE THE JUXTAPOSITION OF THE DAINTY LACE CURTAINS AND THE WEATHERED WOOD.

CUSTER CHICKENS!
(aka spruce grouse)

HECLA MINE

DAISY ENJOYING THE "OH MY GOSH VIEW"
I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF HER TOO!

ENOUGH OF THE MINING ALREADY!
LET'S GET TO THE LOOKOUT!


AFTER BUMPING AROUND ENJOYING THE BUTTERFLIES AND THE WOODS, WE CAME AROUND A CORNER TO SEE . . .

THIS!
I SWEAR, THREE "HOLY SHITS" WERE UTTERED IN UNISON.
PINYON PEAK LOOKOUT IS ON THE VERY TIPPY TOP OF THAT SNOW COVERED PEAK. LOOKING AT THE MOUNTAIN, WE ALL WONDERED HOW, OH HOW, WE WERE GOING TO GET UP THERE?!

THESE ARE THE FINDS TRUE ADVENTURES ARE MADE OF! I LOVE FINDING TREASURES SUCH AS THESE!


AND FORTUNATELY SO DO MOM AND DAD!
:)

OH MISS SADIE!
THE TRIP WAS SOOOO LONG AND BUMPY THE DOGS WERE WORN OUT BEFORE WE EVEN GOT TO THE LOOKOUT!

GETTING CLOSER TO THAT PEAK!

PINYON PEAK

A LONG WAY FROM EVERYTHING!







GETTING TO THE LOOKOUT WAS SUCH A SWEET VICTORY!
STANDING ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD . . . YEAH, THERE IS NO BETTER FEELING!

POTTY WITH A VIEW

DON'T YOU THINK I JUST BELONG ON A LOOKOUT?!

MOM, DAD AND I SUCKING IN THAT THIN MOUNTAIN AIR!

THE ROAD.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT IT RUNS RIGHT ALONG THE RIDGE. NO, IT IS THE RIDGE!
SCARY! FANTASTIC!

FELTHAM POINT LOOKOUT

WE HIT ANOTHER LOOKOUT ON THE WAY BACK DOWN!
A DOUBLE WHAMMY!
TOO BAD THE CABIN HAD BEEN DESTROYED.
:(

REALLY, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO LOOK AT THIS VIEW FOR A SUMMER?
LOOKOUTS ROCK!

I LOVE THESE SWEET PICTURES OF DAD AND JACKSON.
BY THIS POINT IN THE TRIP POOR JACKSON'S BACK WAS BOTHERING HIM.
HE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING AROUND BUT STILL WANTED TO GO.
I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPER SWEET OF DAD TO PACK HIM AROUND WITH HIM SO HE COULD STILL ENJOY THE ADVENTURE!

THE END!
THANK THE LORD!
WHAT A RIDE THOUGH!