STANLEY 2010 -- FINAL ROUND-UP.

Alas, I have reached my final posting in my STANLEY 2010 series. It is bittersweet to say the least! I am thrilled to have finally completed the postings but sad to think I won't see the word Stanley on my to-do list anymore! There are some good adventures coming up though! :) And, since my resolution this year is to stay caught up better, I guess I had better move on!

With Dad having so much free time at camp in the evenings, he had done some research and had stumbled upon what is call the Indian Overhang. Once upon a time, Native Americans took shelter in this rock outcropping. Although an extensive archeological dig has been done in the area (and all artifacts thereby removed), it was still entertaining to see the shelter and imagine what it might be like to huddle there on a dark and stormy night! It is still possible to see the fire residue on the ceiling and there was ONE lonely pictograph still visible on the wall. Although I absolutely DETEST museums (even THINKING about museums right now gives me the heebie jebbies) I love trekking to sites such as these -- they are where imagination and adventure truly reside!

HERE IS THE PART WHERE IMAGINATION LIVES!

I CAN PRETEND A MEAN CAMP FIRE! I WAS SO CONVINCING EVEN JACKSON LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN ACTUAL FIRE!

I WOULD HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING PICTOGRAPHER TOO! ALL MY DRAWINGS LOOK JUST LIKE THIS!

CAMPFIRES AND PICTOGRAPHS -- YES.

SPENDING THE NIGHT UNDER A ROCK -- NOT SO MUCH!

AND NOW FOR THE RANDOM PICTURE ROUND-UP . . .

AFTER SEEING RAIN AND COOL TEMPERATURES FOR THE WEEK, THE WEEKEND FORECAST OF SUNNY SKIES AND NEAR 70 DEGREE TEMPERATURES FOR STANLEY, LOOKED AMAZING!

I AM IN LOVE WITH MR. HEATER! HE IS MY HERO!

WHEN I GROW UP, I'LL HAVE A MR. HEATER OF MY OWN!

LISTENING TO MOM READ ALOUD IN THE DINING ROOM . . .

JACKSON RESTING HIS TIRED OLD BONES ON WHATEVER PIECE OF MY ATTIRE HE IS ABLE TO FIND . . .

DRINKING HOT COCOA WITH MY TEQUILLA NOSE!

FYI: BABYBELL CHEESE + PATRON = SILLY, TEQUILLA NOSE

PARTING SHOTS OF STANLEY . . .

MT. HEYBURN

THE VIEWS FROM DAD'S JOB SITE.

JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.

THE OVERLOOK.

JACKSON SUNBATHING THE DAY WE RETURNED HOME!

HE LOVES CAMPING BUT I THINK HE MISSED THE WARMTH OF OUR BACK PATIO!

UNTIL NEXT YEAR MY DEAR FRIEND . . .

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!