Father's Day Exploring!

Chris' first Father's Day in Boise!  He didn't have to share the day with any birthdays or anything ;-) so it was all up to Papa as far as what we were going to do for the day - well, after we went to church in the morning, of course.  He has been itching to get out and about so he declared he wanted to do some exploring!  Of course, he probably really wanted to go climb some 12,000 foot mountain, but given my condition he settled for a long, long drive.  We basically went from Boise, up 21, cut across Banks Lowman Road and went back down 55 to Boise again.  I'm sure that makes complete sense to all of you.  Maybe this will help...

This was our route.  When you look at the state of Idaho as a whole - we've got a LOT more exploring to do!

Starting our drive, passing the reservoirs.

There were lots of people wake boarding - can't really see it in the picture though.

Headed up 21, towards Idaho City.

Idaho City!  It played a brief stint as the largest city in the Northwest, during the gold rush.  It has a neat history - I suggest a quick read of the info on the wikipedia page. 

Hey, how many places can you just get around on four wheelers?  Well - lots more places here than in Maryland.

 

You turn off 21 onto their main street. 

More four wheelers!

Miners Exchange - established 1865.

Random house.  Chris thought it was a bar at first but all the "keep out" and "no trespassing" signs made it clear you were not supposed to cross that gate.  Prime house for the show Hoarders.

So much neat, old memorabilia, but who knows what the story is there...

Boise County Courthouse.  Boise isn't actually in Boise County - it is in Ada County.

Leaving Idaho City.

Huge trees - it is impossible to get the real view in a picture.  Guess you'll just have to come see for yourself.  ;-)

Mores Creek Summit.  Elevation 6118 feet.  We had been climbing for a while and after this we started going back down a bit.

There is snow on them thar mountains, off in the distance!  It was 80 something degrees that day - although it went into the 70's when we were at the higher elevations.  Wonder how tall that mountain is....

We also came across Whoop-Um-Up!  This is an area Beth took us snowshoeing when we visited her in Boise several years ago.  Looks a little different without all the snow!

Neat driving scenery.

You'll pop around a corner and see an awesome view.

Getting to where we were going to "turn left" to cut over.  Actually - I think we had already missed our turn by the time we got here - but it worked out nicer that way!

  We would have missed this...

We also got to an area where there was evidence of past fires.  Not sure how long ago - but you could still see charred trunks and stuff.  Wildfires are a big issue in Idaho and the surrounding states.  Something to be mindful of - you don't really think much about that in Maryland.  They also do "controlled" burns too though sometimes, to help prevent or lessen fires that might happen later.  All it takes is a good lightening strike.  I looked around online a bit but couldn't find anything about fires in this area. 

Creeks meandering through the hills along the road.  I think this is actually a creek here, not a river.  Although, what we call rivers in Maryland would often be considered creeks here.

And THIS is why it was great we missed our turn.  We ended up visiting a hot spring!  Kirkham hot spings to be exact.

Some info on the springs.  The higher pools are warmer than the lower pools - the one's that empty into the creek.

Info on the lovely smell.  The area didn't stink - but there was a faint odor.

Pretty place.  It is campgrounds also.  There was one tent set up (and I must admit they looked like they were setting up a trash dump next to their tent - boo) and a camper.  That was it.  Several people were down where the springs went into the creek.  There were some pretty strong rapids right there so I didn't even want to go by the edge.  I have nightmares about Little Lady falling into something like that.  Even if she knew how to swim those rapids would still be too much to deal with.

I dipped my feet in, but it was a bit too bath watery for me.  My thermostat has already kicked up, so sticking my feet in warm water on a warm day isn't really on my list of desires.

It was more up their alley.  This is one of the springs which goes downhill into the creek.

Pretty views.

Happy Papa's Day!

People hanging out in the creek.

Checking out one of the higher springs.  Warmer.

Will certainly be on our list of places to hang out in this winter!

Here is a photo of the springs in winter, courtesy of www.idahohotsprings.com.  Now doesn't that look inviting?

Let's get back on the road.

We tracked back and found our turn.  On the road again!

Chris got out to stretch and I look out the window and see him taking a picture of the car.  Such a man.....

On the road back to Boise now.  Lots of people enjoying the river here.

Different landscape - less trees!  Still relatively green though.  (It's all relative....)

  It's nice having the roads follow the water.  Cooler breeze and nice scenery.

Finished off the day with dinner at Outback!  Perfect Papa's Day!

Of course it was perfect - they got to spend it together!

We had fun exploring - although being in the car that long gets tiring.  Many of our explorations in the future will probably involve camping over night.  Something I have never done.  Seriously.  There is so much to see around here but you really need more than a day - I totally see now why so many people have trailers and campers.  On the way back to Boise there were several emergency vehicles headed the other way and sadly we heard on the radio the next day that a woman drowned near Crouch.  She had gotten out of her raft to try to help another rafter in distress.  A reminder that all the beauty and awesomeness of Idaho also carries certain risks.  Also reinforces my paranoia about Little Lady getting close to the creeks and rivers around here.  We've got a life jacket for her, but still......something I'll have to work on.

Next year I guess Chris will be twice the Father he is now?  Is that how it works? 

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day!

Family Hike Night - The Greenbelt.

This week's family hike night took us to the Greenbelt.  It is a biking/walking/running path that goes through Boise.  A nice, flat paved trail for the week!  We picked it up by the house and did a couple miles.  Just nice and relaxed!  We also had our first sightings on deer on this walk!  A mama and little baby.  Luckily no cougars!

Little Lady checking out some flowers.

Our start.

Ready to start!

Mika even checked out the canals on the side.  She seems to be warming up to water since we've moved here.

Follow the leader...

The river came in and out of view.  Very pretty!

Chris is giving a thumbs up - Little lady seems to be throwing the West Side sign....hmmmm

Access to a food/bar place.  Good advertising on their part - bridge over the canal and everything!  Chris has heard several good things about their buckets of clams.  I of course wonder where they are getting them from....certain seafood is hard to imagine when living in a state that doesn't touch an ocean.  East coast spoiled me.

Little lady getting some running time in.  Those little legs work so hard and move so fast!

Finished off the evening with some grinders.  Notice the sign doesn't have the area code?  Everything in Idaho appears to be a 208.  So weird being in an area where you don't have tons of different area codes.  Chris and I even have different area codes than each other for our cell phones!  It throws people off when they ask for our numbers - they think we are giving them the first part of the number when we are just giving the area code. They are probably muttering "Darn East Coasters" under their breath.  :-)

Boise Baby

Bambino is growing.  Our Boise baby will be here before we know it.  I'll totally admit, with everything that has gone on so far in 2012 and with Little Lady to care for (as well as a toddler dog that is sometimes more work than our human child), it is hard to really devote much attention to our little man.  He is on my mind all day - as he affects my daily mood and ability to manipulate my body - but he doesn't get nearly as much daily focus and thought as Little Lady did during my first pregnancy.  During the first one I did reading, constant pictures of belly growth, research, resting.......not so much this time around, although I have been known to sneak in an occasional nap.

This was me 22 weeks pregnant with Little Lady.  One of SEVERAL belly pictures taken over the course of those 10 months.

This was me 22 weeks with our Boise baby.  Ummmmm, this is maybe the second belly pic taken?

I'll be honest - I think my belly is bigger this go 'round.  Feels lower too.  Of course, everything inside there has probably been stretched to kingdom come from the first time, so it gave up any efforts to hold baby in and up a long time ago.  I don't have the swelling so far that I did the first time - but preeclampsia will do that to you!  I am seeing a CNM (midwife) here and she will do the delivery at a hospital.  I'm excited about that - I've always liked the personal feel but, as many of you know, they can't deliver in the hospitals in Maryland.  I've thought about the birthing center route and stuff, but given our little families profession in the medical field and the issues that arose with my first pregnancy, we would all feel more comfortable in a hospital setting.  I looked at the stats for the birthing center here and of course the transfers to the hospital included anyone with preeclampsia.  The CNM I am seeing can handle all aspects of the delivery, although if it had to go to a c-section an OBGYN would handle that - although she would still assist.  As several of you know, I found out I had placenta previa the day before we packed up the truck to come here - which put a damper on the whole process - but the last sonogram they did showed it had moved.  I've still had some issues since then that I'll have to ask the CNM about this week - but it is always tied to when I am really active.  Taking it easy is easier said than done when you've got an entire house to unpack and organize, a two year old to chase after and you don't really know anyone yet.  This week I am certainly getting that really tired sensation again sometimes and I think my internal thermostat seems to have jumped at least ten degrees!  That'll be fun over the summer.....

Anyways, still lots to do around here - need to get the nursery set up, which means we need to switch little lady to a twin bed so we can convert her bed back to a crib, which means we need to get a twin mattress, and need to get her geared up for little man coming, and hoping to get her potty trained before he arrives - started a hard press on that last week - that is a whole other post in and of itself...........I'm getting tired again. 

Interesting note: my CNM informed me that they are thinking now that preeclampsia may be an autoimmune type thing.  Instances of having it again are much lower, almost nonexistent, when the pregnancy is by the same father as the first.  She recounted a delivery she did in the dessert when she was in the Air Force where the woman was having her fifth child.  She had preeclampsia each pregnancy, with it getting worse each time.  They were concerned because of limited facilities.  She didn't end up having any issues - her fifth child had the same father as her fourth - all the others had different fathers.  So, I most likely will not have an issue with preeclampsia this time - very comforting, to me and my ankles.

So - any bets on the size of bambino? Little lady was 10lbs, 5oz - I was not diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was induced one week early because of the preeclampsia, and no c-section.   Remember, this is a Boise baby and it seems as though I'm built to make big babies!  Whoever guesses the closest will win a handmade gift from me! 

Family Hike Night - Camel's Back Park

This weeks family hike night was at Camel's Back Park in Downtown Boise. The weather was a little overcast and chilly, but Chris was on call every evening except one, so it was a take it or you can't do it kind of situation. It was probably nicer to not have that hot, blazing Idaho sun on us. We've heard lots about Camel's Back. It is supposed to be great for mountain biking too. When we pulled up there were TONS of cars in the parking lot. Hmmmmm - not exactly our kind of scene, but we were there for family hike night, so let's do it! Once we got out we realized tons of the cars were just bikers meeting up for group rides - road bikers and mountain bikers. There is a area with a beach volleyball set up. It was being used when we got there and when we left - which is nice to see. There were also tennis courts, a huge grassy area, and a playground. I had been told there were tons of pregnancy friendly trails behind the park - but I had no idea which was the front and which was the back. So we started with this....

This must be the camel's "back" - a very steep, sandy climb up.  At first we were looking for a trail that broke off of it, but I was feeling good so I decided to go for it.

A serious climb.  I figured there were some, ummm, exceptionally large people doing it so I could manage.  Took lots of breaks and eventually held onto the rope on the side for stability - it is a bit slippery towards the top.

View from the top of the other side.  So thooooooooose are the pregnancy friendly trails I was told about......

Ready to explore!

A quick look down before we headed off on a trail.

Lots of trails - all right in the middle of the city.

Mika always loves our hikes.

From this angle you can see why Boise - a generally dry area - got the name "City of Trees".

Beautiful wildflowers up there.

Papa and Little Lady posing among the flowers.

These were long and blowing in the wind - very pretty.

Mika always finds something good to smell....

Where did they go?

She actually sits and waits for me to catch up to her.

Happy doggy!

We ended the hike with some playtime at the park for little lady.  There were a number of teens "playing" there - school is already out here - but they were all being respectful and no foul language was being used.  One teen strolling by himself walked up to one group and asked "Do you guys want to go to church tonight?" - one of the teens responded "No, we're good, thanks for the offer though" - the guy responded "Okay, we're having a free cookout tonight so I figured I would ask".  It seemed like a totally normal exchange and the group didn't seem to think oddly of him for the offer.  Just not something you would see in Maryland - and when you think about it, that is unfortunate. 

Overall, this hike was not as exhausting as the Oregon Trail one, but we also didn't go for as long.  There were lots of different trails we could have taken but Little Lady had already seen that playground and wanted to get to it!  The next day I realized doing the steep climb was too much and I need to take it a bit easier.  The last sonogram showed the placenta previa had cleared up and was just low lying now, but it was a reminder to still take it easy.  Thinking maybe we'll try the Greenbelt next week.  Although - that is where the cougar was the other week, so maybe Chris will put that concealed carry permit to use.  In other fun news - a moose was also caught in Boise this week!  The excitement of the Boise life!!

Exergy Tour

Boise hosted the Exergy Tour over Memorial Day weekend. For those that haven't heard of it (I hadn't), it is women's bicycle racing. It was pretty cool stuff - some of these women are headed to the Olympics! Very impressive stuff.  They did some hard core rides over the three or four days they were here. One day they did 74.7 miles of riding!  We checked it out on the last day and Little Lady LOVED it!  We caught them right as they started their trip up to Bogus Basin.  That must have been a tough ride - serious elevation climbs.  We were in the parking lot of a sport supply rental place and they came out and handed out clickers!  Helps you get in the cheering mood.

Ready for the start, clickers in hand!

And they're off!

We also caught the end of the race, Downtown.  Lots more people there to watch! 

Here is the video of the final two pushing for the win!

The ladies finishing up.

Clicking for more bikers!

She seriously likes the clickers!

It was all pretty fun to watch and makes you want to go out and get fit!  Made me think of Betty and Brian a bunch - they would love all the bike riding to do out here and how bike friendly it all is.  Little Lady still also has her clickers and uses them in the car to click for any bicycles or motorcycles that we pass! 

This Saturday we've got an Ironman event in Boise.  They start with a 1.2 mile swim in Lucky Peak lake - I can't imagine how chilly that is going to be - then a 56 mile bike ride - finishing off with a 13.1 mile run.  They will be riding close to the house, so we'll check it all out!  Nothing like a good reminder of how out of shape you are!  Last night on our family hike a man passed us running with two dogs - he had an ironman tattoo.  Lots of very fit people in Boise.  Guess we'll have to acclimate! ;-)

Getting Organized - cork board calendar

There is so much to do and so much more I want to get done.  Ever have that feeling?  Trying to figure out how to keep it all organized, do the regular every day things that NEED to be done, remembering to account for the scheduled obligations and then fitting in those things you WANT to do can be tough.  I'll end up with numerous to-do lists which get lost in the shuffle and then I'll end up setting a reminder for myself to make a to-do list.....telling myself to do a to-do.  Well, we had a big cork board leftover from doing home day care that Chris hung on a leftover nail on the wall and it is in the perfect spot for him to see it when going to/coming from work and I will see it numerous times through out the day.  I figured I would get a bit crafty and make a cork board calendar to help us stay organized and all on the same page.....and I don't have to remind anyone of what we have going on.....he, I mean they, can take a look and see.

I started out doing some measurements.  Total width divided by seven, so each day would have a column.  Printed up paper with a large letter for each day and then cut them to the appropriate width for each column.  Stapled down headers for each column first and then glued the lettered papers down on those. 

I then dug through stuff I had and found ribbons.  I originally had plans to go get a nice shade of green or something but then reminded myself that I didn't want to spend money on this and I could find odds and ends to do it with at home.  So, I then glued the ribbon down to form the columns.

I then put a contrasting ribbon across the bottom to leave a section for tacks, and an envelope to hold the tabs with things that need to be done.

Ready to be filled up!

I've also got a little system for the pins.  Red is for to-do items, like cutting the grass or grocery shopping - things that need to get done.  Blue is for appointments, things that can't get rescheduled or we are obliged to do.  Green is for the stuff we WANT to do, but that isn't a necessity.  You've got to be flexible, so this helps us prioritize things and let us know what can be shifted around if need be.  I also don't like seeing empty space, so I figure this helps me be more productive and will kind of challenge me to keep things up there.  I also put a small envelope under the red ribbon that holds the little paper tabs to write tasks/events and one to hold tabs that will be reused.  Just figured I would share this little project, maybe it will help others.  I would also love to put the task of "Pick up (**your name here**) from the airport for their visit"!!!!

Another reason it is important to be organized? 

This is the weather forecast for the week.  Yup, from 90 today to 55 and rainy tomorrow.  Had to get all the outside stuff done today!  Gotta love the Boise weather!

Family Hike Night

I've decided we are going to start a weekly Family Hike Night!  It gets us out of the house, doing something together and checking out our surroundings.  We checked out the section of the Oregon Trail that is further from our house. 

Thumbs up - let's do it!

Fun view, you can see the moon.

Mika enjoyed the hike too.

Little Lady loves her perch! 

Group photo!

A neat moss that grows on the sagebrush.

My questioning Chris' "fine for pregnancy" assessment of the hike.  There were two really decent hills.  Ended up being fine and really happy we did it.  I was a bit sore the next am, but feeling good by afternoon.

We all enjoyed the hike and getting to see more of the area.  Chris and I were pooped afterwards, but of course Little Lady was full of energy and ready to play!  At least Mika joined us in our desire for rest! 

Planning out more pregnancy friendly family hikes for the upcoming weeks!