Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ketchum, Idaho

On our way to Ketchum we drove a pass from Chilly to the top of a pass along the Lost Creek. A tree slowly falling was a highway for Black squirrels to get across the river.

As of today July 13,2020 we are hanging out in campgrounds outside of Ketchum, Idaho. Taking advantage of post offices, great bike riding paths, cell service.

In a day or two We are heading to Stanley, Idaho where the lakes are plentiful, the green greener and the mosquitoes are a pain! Plus there is NO cell coverage at all so this will be my last post for awhile.
This will be my last leg of my travels with Rose & Steven. I will be heading back to Colorado by Monday !

Rocky Mountain Sheep

One of the highlights of this trip happened at a campground along the Salmon River between Salmon and Challis, Idaho.The Salmon River moves quickly through Canyons and meadows. Our camp was across the river from tall jagged cliffs.

Swallows, peregrine falcons, pigeons, kingbirds, robins flew around the cliffs. Steven noticed the first sheep on the top of a ridge and Rose noticed the mama and baby sheep.
I got my binoculars while Rose & Steven took pictures with their great camera.
I felt like I was watching an episode of Animal Planet.

For at least an hour we watched Mama and baby descend from the mountain top, find their way to the river and then return to the top of the ridge using a different route.
After Mama & baby left the rest of the herd showed up. We watched another 8-15 sheep find their way through rock slides and tasty trees to get a drink at the river.
this adventure will Stay with me for a long while.

Do Not Miss MEADOW LAKE

Up the mountain from Gilmore is Meadow Lake a gorgeous spot in The Salmon Challis National Forest. Nice campground, beautiful scenery and cool summer weather

Green green from all the rivers in Idaho!
Meadow Lake shore
smaller lake walking distance
my traveling companions
Campground at Meadow Lake
another shot of the lakeshore

Cell phone, Email & Internet on the road

If you noticed I tend to post blogs several at a time because I post when I have access to the internet on my phone. Idaho is NOT known for their cell service which is good & bad. Being in the woods without service is nice to get away from it all but over the last few weeks we have been without cell service or internet 80% of the time. Today I am sitting in a riverfront park outside of Ketchum/ Sun City, Idaho where I am getting 2-3 bars on my phone.

We left “the Little Eddy” on July 7th and headed to Rexburg to get new house batteries for The van, a haircut, gas and food for a longer adventure. We headed north to check out the charcoal kilns and Gilmore, a ghost town. I should say former ghost town since lots are being currently sold for $4,499.00. People are buying them and RVs, campers and small buildings are creating a no ghost town!

Charcoal kilns
Need land!

Victor, Swan & Paradise Valley

We broke camp on the Teton Creek On Monday July 6th. I Took a drive to Paradise Valley to try to charge my house batteries which have been acting up for the last 5 days. The entire area is full of natural surroundings- the Teton Creek flows into the Teton River which is a haven for water activities- boating, paddle boards, kayaks, inter tubs, etc.

Pass going into Swan Valley
The entrance to this ranch has stuffed pheasants in the glass boxes at the top.
Our campground for the night – The Big Eddy.
The river is right beyond the tents.

The reason we are back is the Teton River! Rose & Steven are avid paddle boarders and I can shuttle them and their equipment up the river. Moose are common here and they have seen many on the river. When they got off the river last night they pointed out a bull moose on the other side of the river. We watched for 20-30 minutes before he disappeared into the bushes. Gosh they are huge animals!

Fourth of July at Teton Creek

I left The Little Eddy campground on Thursday July 2nd to meet up with Rose&Steven ( who had been in Idaho Falls dealing with tires) and several of their friends.

view from The Little Eddy campground

we camped along the Teton Creek with lots of other folks celebrating the holiday.

The vehicle in front is an ambulance made into a RV . Totally cool!
Road to our campground along Teton Creek

Rose and I took a hike up the canyon. The creek was amazing along with waterfalls. I really like Idaho!

Rose looking sweet at Teton Creek
?????
Waterfalls
Rock formations
Views in every direction
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The creek made me happy
Our bug tent in the woods.

Lessons on Mindfulness

Today, Tuesday 6/30/20:

This morning Rose&Steven drove into the big city to handle tires, oil changes, haircuts, etc. I drove from Mud Lake to Driggs, Idaho to secure a camping spot since this weekend is the Fourth of July. Driggs is 50 minutes from Tetons National Park.
Tire issues are keeping Rose&Steven in Town tonight so I videotaped the chosen spot so they could see the area.
NOTICE the lights on my van! Picture taken at 1:02pm. It is now 6:30pm and I just remembered the lights!

I can’t find the video to share so I took a slide shot.
This power pack works starting my van!
Compact battery cables!

I spent last night worrying if my Compact battery cables had enough power to start my van. I worried that the Teton River would flood and I could not get out of here. I worried that I would have to call Steven & Rose to pick up some regular battery cables.

This morning I got out the instructions and was full of gratitude when my compact battery cable started my truck quickly. I danced!

Eastern kingbird Bronco Riding a Red Tail Hawk

Fiesty Birds!

First time seeing a bird bronco ride another bird. I have seen many small birds go after birds of prey- usually protecting a nearby nest.
This event was different when the small bird landed on the top of the hawk and was pecking away. The birds were riding together for at least a minute.
Very exciting for us humans on the ground. Most likely exciting for the hawk!

Pictures taken by Steven / Rose Pon

Meeting up

I left Cub River / Preston on Sunday, 6/28/20 to meet up with Rose & Steven at Camas Wildlife Refuge near Idaho Falls. The rainy day kept most of the wildlife hiding but after 3 weeks I was just happy to see their rig in front of mine!

We camped two nights at nearby Mud Lake. So many birds & ducks! Yesterday we walked to find a Wildlife Path. I walked 4 miles- hurrah!

Camas Refuge was created in 1930s. Someone knew the importance of wildlife!
pied billed grebe
western grebe
long billed curlew
Lots of pelicans
Mud Lake- Rose & Steven
Hay fields to feed the wildlife
Found my first painted rock
Been raining off & on for two days
plenty of storm clouds

Dining on the Road

My cousin responded to one of my blogs by asking questions on “the what, when, where, whys” of living on the road! I will answer these questions in a series of blogs! First questions: what do you eat? How do you get you food? How do you keep your food fresh?

Soda Springs, Idaho

I eat a variety of foods. Breakfast is usually oatmeal cooked over my inside propane stove. A traditional breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and fruit ? is a good way to start the day. I am more likely to eat cereal in the evening. Also humus and naam bread is one of my favorite meals- am or pm.

Cub River RV Park

Cooking can be done inside over my two burner stove. I can use a campfire for cooking and many RVers have a portable grill. I also carry a portable Camping propane stove for creating an outdoor kitchen.
Most RVs have a refrigerator- usually problematic with issues of freezing food or not being cold enough. Regulating the temperature is a constant. Still very convenient to have!
I also have a sink with running hot & cold water. All in all most RVs/ vans/ trailers have a fully functional kitchen.

Connies kitchen!

I drink a lot of herbal teas so my teapot is used several times each day.
Lunch is usually left overs and / or sandwiches. Easy peasy!
The kitchen contains pots, pans, eating utensils, cooking utensils, containers for leftovers, knives. I have dining settings for two and lots of kitchen towels.

Uncompahgre National Forest

Dinner is usually a salad with pasta, rice, grains, veggies.
I try to keep a two week supply of food that keeps. I have food storage above my sink and two other areas for storage. I have a small pull out pantry. For perishable food a visit to a city with a food store happens 1-2 times a week. While it may seem I am out in the boonies- I am never far from a grocery store!

Cooking outside!

I have vitamins, minerals , probiotics and supplements to help keep me healthy!