McCall get away..... Gold Fork Hot Spings.

Donna, Steve Clinger and I drove to McCall to spend a little time with by brother David and his wife; Michelle. We also hoped to be of some help. Friday night we went to Gold Fork Hotsprings in the area. They have a yurt for a changing room and the hot springs cascades down a series of 6 pools. It was a great a deal of fun. It appears that spring may have come this weekend too.

A night at the Museum....ooops Gym

HOG CANYON CAMPOUT MARCH13-14,2009

Chef Cullen Fletcher plannned and cooked the meals in order to meet one of his First Class Rank requirements. Under the guidance of his grandfather he planned, organized and cooked chicken chow mein complete with chopsticks and fortune cookies for dinner and french toast, hot maple syrup and bacon for breakfast. UMMMMMM, UMMMMMMM Goood!!
Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness-you'd have to be a scout, it's a campfire song. We did have an amazing campfire program under the direction of SPL Jens from the Spartan Patrol. We had a skit that got us all doing the hoky poky, some instruction about the geology, wildlife and history of Hog Lake by Michael Moline, a faith promoting story by Jens, before we had the Scout Master Minute from Scout Master Joel Blake, Future Elders Adam and Jace Culley had us read Moroni chapter 10 in keeping with the Stake President's challenge. ( these future missionaries must get some great training at home)
Survivor Men-Senior Patrol Adam Culley and Patrol Guide Sam Ramos did just that-they improvised this make shift shelter and endured a long cold night BUT they survived. A test of endurance and survival skills. Both have a greater appreciation for their warm beds and have some ideas how they'd do it different next time. This was a requirement for Adam in completing his Wilderness Survival MB. Well done Adam!!
Adam is on one side of the log and ...
Sam on the other side.... reminds me of an old tune; Slip Sliding Away.
Breaking camp Saturday morning. Scout Master Joel Blake and Michael Turner Troop 324.
Cullen Fletcher ready for the hike to the water falls.
Michael Moline bringing up the rear.
The few, the proud, the brave; Adam, Jen's, Jace, Tyler, Jacob, Cullen, Sam, Michael, Michael, Joel, Zac.
Hog Canyon Water Falls. Cullen, Chris, Jacob, Michael, Joel, Jens, Michael, Sam, Adam, Jace, Zac
The man's man; Tyler Forbush gave us lessons in animal identification and tracking. Ask Michael Moline he knows Marmot droppings at first sight. Jacob Forbush also knows by sight Quaking Aspen, and all the Scouts know Ponderosa Pine!
Scout Master Joel Blake.
Adam, Zac, Jace on a plateau above the lake looking West.
Balance and agility skill test for all of us and Michael Turner showed us how.
No wet feet here!

We we so blessed on this outing:
1) We were planning to hike approx 2 miles from the highway with all our gear but the day before the hike the BLM opened the road making it possible to truck all our heavy gear.
2) While cool, it was far milder than the single digit temps we had earilier in the week.
3) While the wind kicked up by noon and rain threatened, we didn't see any til we pulled out.
4) All had a growth experience.
5) In keeping with the Outdoor Code, we left the area cleaner for having been there. We dismantled an old fire ring and removed litter.

Fish Trap Lake

Saturday after we took the boys to Merit Badge Clinic for the third Saturday, Jake Scott and I did some recon of the lake we'll take them to next Friday afternoon for an overnighter. Here is the cataracts of the inlet to the Lake.
We crossed above the falls and did so without having to get our feet wet. We weren't so lucky at the outlet where we waded above the spillway. Jake promised me I wouldn't slip and slide down it. Thanks, Jake, it worked!
Jake, doing what he does so well, riding in style!

Here I am IN THE SHADE on the south side of the lake looking at the cliff in the background that we were previously riding on.

NO IT'S NOT AN EASTER EGG HUNT.....

..... IT WAS CHURCH YARD CLEAN UP FOR STAKE CONFERENCE. Check out the chain gang.

Lydia, Carver and Ellie!

BREAKING AWAY....to Maple Valley

Here is a shot of Derek on the Green River Gorge Bridge.


Breaking Away was a movie made in the 70's or 80's about four teenagers trying to grow up.
If you haven't seen it, rent it. You'll laugh and giggle. Bon Jour! I lived my own version of Breaking Away last weekend, when I threw in my bike, sleeping bag and a couple essentials and left town and WINTER long behind. Nothing like a bicycle ride to get over the winter doldrums!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1jzs6dk4bs&NR=1

Here is a view looking upstream.
A shot near the beginning of the ride not far from Derek's home.
The view into the Green River Gorge looking downstream.
Me at Lake Nolte.

Buongiorno!