Family Hike Night - Idaho City - BUST

Well, we did a family hike last week.  It ended up being on Saturday morning, rather than an evening one.  It has been so hot, and the highest temperatures come pretty late in the day here, so we were hoping a morning one would be cooler.  We headed up to Idaho City, in search of a trail with tree coverage.  Well - let's just say it didn't go as smoothly as we would have wanted. 

I was hot, and hormonal and ended up making it clear that I did not feel it was appropriate for me to be hiking in those temperatures, especially when we got half way through and realized the other half of the trail was full sun exposure. That on top of having to finish it in a certain amount of time since we had obligations later in the day was just too much for me and I turned right around and headed back the way we came.  As any woman that has been pregnant will tell you, we probably feel at LEAST ten degrees warmer than usual at all times, not including when we get hot flashes and feel even warmer!  We also have to drink more water to stay hydrated and I have asthma, which can lead to other issues.  I realize I should have said "no" outright, before we embarked on a hike, rather than quietly voicing concerns and just trying to make my little family happy. 

While the hike was basically a bust, I had told Little Lady she could have ice cream afterwards, so we stopped by an ice cream place in Idaho City.

It just seems like it is spelled wrong.  I dunno.

I got photo bombed.

It's like an old West town.

There was a biker gang getting ice cream too.

I believe little lady had a huckleberry type flavor.

Chris had to test hers to make sure it tasted okay.  He got a strawberry cheesecake one - guess he knew I'd be willing to have some of his....

Very good ice cream!  They also put a jelly belly in the bottom of the cones to keep it from leaking out. 

So, given that the temps have been in the 100's all week and the weather forecasts are actually "Smokey and triple digits" - yes, that is for real - the family hike night will probably be placed on hold for a while.  This week we are doing family pool night - tonight actually, to cool off from the projected 105 degree high.  I'm also going to have to slow down in the coming weeks/months.  We'll have to figure out something to keep us busy and doing family activities - but keep us cool at the same time.  Suggestions?

Fire happens - and other bad things as well.

Things here are dry.  Really dry.  The only reason people have lawns is because they run sprinklers all the time.  When you talk to people here they are astounded that back East you can have 100 degree weather, not use sprinklers, and still have a lawn.  Idaho was part of the Desert Land Act which was established to "encourage and promote the economic development of the arid and semiarid public lands of the Western United States."  Basically, the land was so dry and seemingly unappealing the government decided to give people 320 acres or less for free if they paid the cost of irrigating the land for agricultural use.  Idaho has the second highest accidental drowning rate for 1-5 year olds partly because of all the irrigation canals that are around.  So you get the picture - it is dry.  Don't get me wrong, things seem to grow well here, they just need water.  The sun is great and plentiful - but I could count on one hand how many times it has rained since we've moved here.  We had a great rain barrel in Maryland that we used, but it would be pretty much pointless here. 

The dry, arid environment is also a breeding ground for fires.  Just the other week there were at least two hay fires from spontaneous combustion in the Boise area.  I think they estimated one at a $60,000+ loss for the farmer.  Such a different environment. 

Fireworks are totally legal in Idaho as well - although I was told they aren't allowed in the foothills.  I know Chris was tempted to stop at one of the MANY tents set up in preparation for the 4th of July, but it just didn't feel right knowing how dry everything is around here. 

The other day I stepped out in the backyard to hang some diapers and smelled smoke.  Then saw an "off-road" fire truck driving by and connected that with the sirens I heard earlier.  There was a grass fire somewhat nearby.  It was a quickly contained little fire, but it still gets you thinking.  Chris chatted with a coworker that lives near us and a neighbor and there was a fire several years ago that included a fatality and several houses burning down - they were evacuated and everything. 

Photo from Wildfiretoday.com of the Columbia Village fire.

I brought up that I think we should have an "evacuation" trunk ready if there were ever an issue.  It just seems to be a reality of living in this area, so it just makes sense to be prepared for it.  We've always talked about having "bug-out" bags ready and do a pretty good job of being "prepared" - but always seem to stall when it comes to actually putting the bag together.  I should probably start with a list......

Do you have a bag prepared if you need to leave your home or if some natural disaster strikes?  I know our friends and family back East are STILL dealing with the aftermath of the Derecho they had late last week.  What if an even more serious event happened?  Do you really have water and food and MEDICATIONS to last you?  Sometimes you don't know when you'll get that power back.  If you have kids - do you have diapers and formula on hand?  That is one reason I like using cloth diapers - I'm prepared if I can't get to the store or if there is an event that would prevent me from being able to buy some.  Same thing with breastfeeding - I knew I would be able to feed my child and not have the concern of needing formula if something happened.  It just makes sense to me and is one less thing I would have to worry about.  Big storms happen.  Wildfires happen.  Riots happen.  Never say never.  Just be prepared for if they happen to you.

That is all.  Carry on! :-)

Family Hike Night - The Black Forest

This week took us to the Military Reserve area, specifically the Cottonwood Creek Trail and Toll Road Trail.  What a lovely hike!  We really enjoyed this one.  Perhaps it was the variety of terrain, the occassional shade, the meandering creek - or simply because the passages through trees felt a bit east coast like.

A neat plant with berries we first came across.  Any ideas what it is?

The beginning of the trail.

The surroundings changed pretty quickly.

She loves Family Hike Night!  Seriously, she does.

Coming up to cliffs.

Neat lines.

 

Holes in the "rock" - Chris says they are bird holes.  Sure enough, there were tons of birds flying about.

Headed into trees again.

Nice little stream.

Mika liked the stream too.

Bambino likes family hike nigh too.

Pretty flowers.

Thumbs up!  Enjoying the shade!

The trail.

Wild rose bush?

Rose hips?

Pregnant woman?

Cotton!  This is why they call it the cottonwood trail!  Fluffy white fluff everywhere in some places.

Look what we came across!  Oh, deer!

Obviously very used to people.

Sometimes it was questionable if Mika even realized the deer was there.  A hunter she is not.

Deer with the moon in the upper right.  When she went to leave Chris started playing deer noises on his iphone - yeah, there is an app for that.  I eventually told him to cut it out - didn't think it was very fair to the deer.  She is going to have such confusion as to what male deer look like.....

Pretty butterfly stopped to say hello.

One of those "dandelion on drugs" looking plants.

Mika getting in some final creek time before we wrapped up.

A toad - or as Little Lady calls them: "Frog Man"!  She calls frogs "Frog Man" for some reason.  Neither of us know why.

So the hike was great.  Perfect scenery, perfect shade, perfect length, perfect inclines.  Really enjoyable!  It is a great family hike and looked like a nice place for beginner dirt biking.  Chris has been getting back on his bike since we moved out here - so far just hanging out on the Oregon Trail by the house.  It will be a while before I'm on a bike again - but I'd be willing to give this trail a try!

Relationships

My Mother is the oldest of eight children.  On top of that, my Grandfather passed away at the age of 48, when the youngest was 5.  Even with those challenges, every one pretty much gets along.  When you think about it - that is pretty impressive.  Those are alot of different personalities and lifestyles and circumstances, yet somehow no one seems to hate each other, or even dislike each other.  I'm not saying it is perfect and everyone agrees with each other.  That is the thing - we can all have different opinions but still respect and support each other.  Even better, people seem to tell each other when they don't agree with something or feel something is wrong.  I think that makes things stronger.  If everyone simply fake smiled and said "oh yeah, that sounds great" than the true relationship is lost.  You are not sharing your feelings or beliefs or your reasons for them.  Your relationship can only go as deep as you're willing to share.  People should be able to disagree, even argue, and then move on.  It is what shows you care about something and someone. 

My relationships are no where near perfect.  I have so many lost or broken or strained ones it is just sad.  I think one part of that is because I refuse to be fake.  I care too much for that.  I'm not going to sit there and ignore when I feel someone I love is doing something wrong or that can hurt them or that is hurting me.  This is something I actually feel more STRONGLY about as I have gotten older.  I was recently told that I am supposed to stay quiet to "keep the peace" and that I just don't get it.  I don't feel that works.  When you've ignored things in a relationship and continue to ignore them and just act like everything is okay and hunky dorey - when has that ever been a peaceful relationship?  Have you been "at peace" with it?  If you have someone that is doing something you feel can hurt them and you don't say something and they end up getting harmed, are you at peace with that?  If someone hurts you or violates your trust and you say nothing, are you at peace with that?  

I'm a giver.  I try to make life easier for people.  I give my time, effort, energy and money to help make the lives of those around me easier.  I am fiercely loyal and look out for those I love - but am deeply hurt when that loyalty isn't returned.  The one thing I've learned as I've gotten older is that you can't always makes someones life easier.  Some people just don't want that help.  You can drag a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.  It hurts and is very painful when you see where you tried to help and someone didn't want it and things go badly in the end, but I will always be able to at least say I tried.  I'm sure some people mistake my efforts to help people as self interest.  I guess on some level it is - isn't everyone better off when disasters or hardships are averted?  I personally do not wish suffering on anyone - but, as I've learned, it can't always be helped.  I've also learned that many of my relationship approaches are based on morals.  I honestly care about people but also care about my own concious.  Basically - at the end of the day, being able to be at "peace" with myself is the most important thing.  Being at peace with myself means constant self evaluation, critique and adjustments.  I'm not perfect and people will not always accept me for who I am, but at the end of the day, I know I try my best to be a good person and to look out for others.


I also have to give a shout out to my Grandmother.  In the last several years our relationship has grown so much.  She is a wonderful person with such an amazing outlook on life.  She has had her fair share of hardships (can you imagine having your husband pass away like that?!) but she never complains.  She feels she has truly been blessed and has had a great life.  There are several things that have made the last couple years tough and she has been such a great support for me.  I know I can call her about pretty much anything and feel better afterwards.  I try to embrace her outlook on life.  We are very blessed.  We have made tough choices and worked very hard - but life is good. 

I also have some great family.  Those seven aunts and uncles are spread all over the US - and sometimes out of the US - but are there for me as well when I need it.  Round that up with some great friends and again, life is good. 

I also appreciate how you all have embraced Chris into the family.  I love that he and my sister have pretty much a brother-sister relationship.  They can say anything and everything to each other.  Even the mean things.  Which Chris does......regularly......and really seems to enjoy...... :-)  Of course, like a good sister, she gives it right back.


It all means a lot to me and I thank you all.
 

Big Girl Bed!

There have been lots of changes this year so far and there will be lots more!  We've tried to prepare little lady for all of them by discussing them regularly and involving her in the changes.  There have been lots of discussions of her becoming a big girl and one of the steps is going into a big girl bed!  We had converted her crib to a toddler bed when we got here, but we will need the crib back soon enough and she seemed ready for another change.  We went out today and got a twin mattress from Costco and set up her big girl bed!

She enjoyed some "tea" in her new bed.  Ten points to whoever recognizes this bed...

All ready for bed!

Thumbs up!  I also realized I only had one set of twin sheets, which as we all know will not be enough for "accidents" - so she went with me this afternoon and she also got to pick out new sheets for her big girl bed!

We also put her "new" dresser in her room.  The crib and "baby" dresser have all been moved out.

Such a big girl!!!

Family Hike Night - Tablerock

This week took us to Table Rock!  You can see Table Rock from many areas in Boise.  It basically has a flat top so it looks like a table - with a cross at the top.  We took the Castlerock loop trail (#19) because I saw the words "It provides nice views for minimal effort."  Sounded good to this pregnant woman!

Here is the beginning of the trail.  The main trail that takes you up to Table Rock is in the center.  Our trail started on that but went off to the left only after about 10 feet.

At first it seemed like a bit of a downer to head in the total opposite direction as the "main attraction" - but our trail still provided really nice views.

Goodness - getting huge.

Checking out a flower that he realized is what turns into these giant dandelion looking things we see everywhere.

Pretty wildflowers.  You can see one of those dandelion puffs on the upper left.

View from the trail!  Overlooking the city.

Thumbs up!

There was still a respectable climb, but manageable.

Started out at the bottom.  Nice gradual climb.

Big rocks!

Taking a water break and enjoying the view.

Found a random cactus patch on the way down!

And......we found a playground afterwards!

Content little lady.

Overall a nice, enjoyable hike and great views.  The air was noticeably drier though - lots of water needed!  Legs were a bit sore the next day - but in a good way - and no signs that I overdid it.  Oh - and one of the best parts?  Chris said he looks forward to family hike night every week. :-)

Hopefully you look forward to the posts as well!  Over the next couple months I'll probably have to faze out the hikes - Chris and Little Lady might go themselves or we'll change it into Family Fun Night instead.  I heard the river might be opening up for tube rides soon - could be a fun activity!