Magic Hike

Pictured is the fort that Bryce and Deacon made with Granddaddy on their Magic Hike yesterday. Idler's Rest is sort of magical with all those cedars shadowing the forest floor, and the fallen trees to scamper over, and how it sort of seems pristine even though all the paths are well managed and there are benches . . . apparently as they tucked in to their lunch the wind began to make the trees cricket and Granddaddy explained the noise as dragons. And very soon all their five and six year old bravery was used up, and lunch was finished at home. They boys loved it. It was all they could talk about. Idler's Rest is one of those spots that always makes me lament again, that the only downside to Palouse living is the trade off we make for rolling hills over trees.

Gatekeeper

Who needs toys when you can play with the gate, barbed wire fencing, and a little chain link rope.
(Nb: the scratch on Kyle's forehead is not from any of the former items, rather one his older brothers helped him crash into a truck . . . it's tough being youngest.)

Deacon's Pet Snake

Deacon was very excited to show me the snake that Daddy had caught for him.  After our photo shoot of the snake and his home (inside a plastic pitcher with grass, a bungee, and some toys), Deacon showed me their game: ad nauseum catch and release.  The snake was a good sport and never bit.  Deacon was a good sport and didn't cry too much when Bryce, the next morning, accdently knocked over the snake's home for a permanent release. 
And summer hasn't even begun!

Camping Wrap-Up

 

Stick-walks proved a pretty fun camping activity, especially when you tack on catching grasshoppers, flipping rocks to looks for bugs, and discovering the entrance to a snake den! Baby brown snakes and then two huge-long ones . . . so glad to have those big sticks on hand!

On what turned out to our last morning, the tent was full of sickies (I shared my cold I'm so nice like that, generous and all). Phil made a delicious camp breakfast and then told me that we would pack up stress-free. So the kids explored a yet unknown bit of brush and we actually have fun wrapping up.

I'm sold on this camping thing! Next up we'll try snow camping . . .

Elusive Antlers

 

When we returned to camp yesterday, our favorite be-plaided man had left us this note. Waiting for Phil's return we went on a stick walk found spiders galore and finished all the chips. Upon his return we all piled onto the four wheeler and we toured a bit. Ponds, jumps, puddles, rock outcroppings . . . really fun stuff. Phil was kind to me and slowly went through the puddles, but the boys squealed with delight as if he'd sprinted them all.

Later both boys rode their bikes about the campsite--with lots of four-wheeler noises. After a while I pushed Deacon around on his bike since his training wheels kept getting stuck on the uneven terrain. We took advantage of all the bumps and pretended to get stuck in the mud repeatedly. Then Phil pointed out that what we'd taken for mud spots were actually squashed cow pies. Sheesh Lewis and Clark would have been to have me, eh?

Near dark after another look for sticks walk the boys claimed the largest sticks to have a sword fight, wherein they managed a medley of the Dawn Treader, Harry Potter, and Jeremiah Johnson theme songs and one-liners. Deacon helped chop wood--very tiring if you're four! And around the fire I bored Phil to tears by telling the boys (by request) endless stories about our childhood spaniel.

Elk Camp, 2011

 

This is where we are. This is what we are doing.

Yes, I am wearing an excess of fleece layers (no it isn't that cold, but I came down with a chills n' all cold the night before we left town). No cell service. No internet. No tv. No laundry. No vacuuming. No bedtime. No dusting. Lots of chili and chips and sausage and beans and coffee and Theraflu (for me) and s'mores--Bryce's favorite part of each day. Lots of sprinkling rain and cozy fires. Lots of fleece. And a stream; which means lots of pants, socks, and shoes changes when rock-hopping goes south.

I brought the boys back to town today so Bryce could go to school and I could shower and curl my hair (priorities you know). Plus, I wanted to do laundry (most of my ancestors weren't pioneers, and it shows).

No elk yet--but for those of you that are interested in that sort of thing, there is a dandy herd bull, and neighboring hunters with horses to help pack it out--we are an optimistic lot!

More updates to come--hopefully with antlers . . .

A River Runs Through It

 

Fifty pound plus packs, camp cuisuine, forest fires, rattle snakes, poser garter snakes, smoke, three foot Steelhead (with no appetite), and these little babies. For the man that seldom rests, it was a good rest: fly fishing on the Selway.

This keeper photo courtesy of Mr. Dave.

Having Phil gone for more than half a day is really an opportunity to reflect on a what an amazing husband and father he is. Constant reminders of how hard working, providing, and fun he is prevail! Upon his return both boys immediately donned their camo hats, and proceeded to mimic whatever chore he took on. He indulged them both, and took them on first joint, then individual four-wheeler rides.

For all those kids without fathers I feel extreme symphathy, because as a single mother I could never provide the stability, fun, challenge, security, and perspective a manly man provides. Thank goodness that single moms have grandpas, uncles, and friend's husbands to act as mentors . . . God has blessed us abundantly, and there is no better evidence of that, than that when we are without our head he is ever with us.

But three cheers for not having to feed those darned pigs again! (Unless I'm feeling charitable!)

Huckleberry Haul

 

After last year's pitiful handful of berries, this year our Sunday after church trip seemed incredible--and I think we only picked for an hour and half--with Phil doing most of the picking. This is our third year taking the boys out--Deacon was just two his first trip! And now at five and four they've got it down . . . but it doesn't hold their attention. It's hard for a berry to compete with grasshoppers, sticks, rusty tin cans, and the possiblity of seeing a deer or bear.

Deacon was all geared up for a hike, pack filled with toys and all, so he left the rest of us to "hike" and every five or ten feet would call up to me, "Mommy! Do you see my pack? I see your face. I'm not too far. Yell if you need me to protect you!"

Bryce was a perfect berry scout, and found pointing out berry-covered bushes to be far more intriging than actually picking their berries. Phil would answer, "Thanks Bryce. I'm going to work my way over there, buddy". So, finally Bryce suggested that we both work our ways a little faster.

Deacon conked out rather quickly on the drive home, only opening his eyes when I asked if he wanted a peanut butter cup (a post hike tradition), then he closed his eyes to eat it, and contentedly drifted back into complete sleep with his fingers still posed as if clasping a ghost peanut butter cup.

Also, I learned how bears eat berries (no we didn't see one); I just finally remembered to ask Phil. Who if you didn't know, knows everything (except he didn't know who Amy Winehouse was when I mentioned she'd died).

Velvet

 

Phil's trail cam finds a new victim.

Camping Out or a Zombie and a Whirling Dervish

 

We thought we'd ease into family camping, by camping out the Friday night before Father's Day, in Uncle Dan & Aunt Kristine's West Richland backyard. We invited ourselves. We had no idea that their house addition had turned things upside-down. Graciously, they'd welcomed us and set up a killer fire-pit for s'mores and things.

Bryce and Deacon were impressed by Colton's array of outdoor toys (Deacon pretended to ride the four wheeler for oh so long). When Colton and the neighbor boys brought out his remote control race car for a game of case you could have heard the pleased squeals of joy for miles! (It made me almost long for our own culdesac and yards and yards of pavement.) Before dark we got our new tent set-up (a great Costco deal), and ate pizza by the fire and then got ready for s'mores--which were so, so good, and we accidentally let the kids stay up at least two hours past bedtime . . .

Everything went down hill from that one novice camper mistake. First of all, can I just say that I have no idea why my husband ever listens me. I had insisted that I didn't want to sleep on a cot or an air mattress. I said that one night of sleep the tent floor in my sleeping bag would be fine. Well, throw in Deacon doing his best and most accurate impression of a whirling dervish and you wind up with the most dreadful night's sleep I can ever remember. The frosting was that though he went to bed well after the sun, Deacon woke up with the sun, no doubt to resume whirling. I pulled out all the tricks up my sleeve: covering my head with my sleeping bag, telling Deacon to cover his head with his sleeping bag, finally sending Deacon into the house to play (aren't I great guest).

It turned out that I went to bed a normal human being, and woke up a barely civil zombie. I think I talked to people, I might have smiled out of habit once or twice. Regrettably for all involved Phil didn't leave me in the car when we arrived at cousin, Kade's, house for a lovely barbecue in honor of Father's Day. It was all I could do to not fall asleep standing up. I tried to converse with others, but should have just stuck my head in a water barrel and called it good. Phil's gracious sister did up a lovely, long post full of photos, here; it was a lovely day (cool and breezy) with delicious food and homemade pies. I'm family so they have to invite me to things again, but now at least they'll know to have a water barrel handy.

Kamiak Hike

 

Friday was perfectly lovely. Deacon and I were delighted to get to chaperone the Logos kids' hike at Kamiak Butte with Mrs. Sawyer (who will be Bryce's kindergarten teacher this fall). Highlights included the twisty log, a giant stick nest, and spotting wildflowers or patches of miners' lettuce to show the teacher.
Mrs. Sawyer explained to all the kids about how you could take cover under a rock outcropping if you got caught hiking in a rain shower--Deacon then pulled me aside to re-explain everything and demonstrate.
Bryce had a blast, and told me several time that this was the best hike. When were finally on the way home, I asked him what had been his favorite part: the playground. So be sure to drive 30 minutes out of town to hit that Kamiak playground!

Boyer Park

We beat out Memorial Day crowds and enjoyed a super-fun and relaxing day at Boyer Park, courtesy of Nana Judy. It was a perfect sunny and breezy day. With pretty much the whole park to ourselves, Bryce, Deacon, and cousin, Kade, were safe to explore the sand and sticks, and never had to share the playground equipment.

For us moms it was a dream! Papa Ron, Uncle Ian, and Phil took the anxious fishermen over to the riverbank, leaving Aunt Chrissy [great post-I stole this photo from her], Nana and me to supervise the cupcakes (we did our best). Papa Ron caught a fish for each boy to reel in, and Bryce continues to lobby for an exact repeat of the day. He's proclaimed that it was his favorite day ever, and continues to make casual suggestions to go fishing next (you know, "after we finish breakfast", "after we all get dressed", "just quick before bed").

Deacon was determined to show his fish a good time while at Boyer (it got to slide and swing), and kept up the chaperoning for the duration of the day. He petitioned to bring his [stinking and by then scaleless] fish home in the car--we conceded, with the condition that it be put into a ziploc bag. Upon arriving home out of the bag came the fish for some outdoor playtime, including a bike ride.

Minutes before some dinner guests arrived--who I really like and did not plan to greet with a fish on the doormat--Deacon explained his plan to have the fish on the doormat so it could "see" his friends when they arrived. I think the fish, though, wasn't able to stay for dinner.

Christmas Tree & Jammies

 

Deacon brought his saw along to help Phil cut down the tree, and loved it once Phil got out of the way so he could really get in there and saw away.
The tree looks so great in the evening, when the lights are all that's lighting up the room . . . but I'm not smart enough to figure out that setting on my camera . . . luckily my favorite 5 and 4 year old are pretty distracting!
We usually get a spruce, but this year got a Grand Fir; which was much kinder on my hands as I decorated, and so I had to buy even more lights.

Huckleberries?

We had to get in at least one huckleberry picking trip before my late summer birthday, so after hearing mixed reports we baked up a huge batch of huckleberry pancakes (nearly depleting our pioneer storehouse), then bucket-ed up--with a couple five gallons and one one gallon--and headed to the high country.  Ridiculous!  We got enough berries to make three small muffins.

The boys weren't exactly crushed by the meager *cough* haul, but Phil decided to spice up the outing with some good rock-throwing fun.

And though we didn't get the berries we'd hoped for, we did end up wrangling a jihadist . . .

(and yes, I know it's contradictory if you read the previous post, but sippy cups are still highly encouraged for the car, for a certain young man who likes to pour his water bottle contents onto his lap and/or his older brother's lap)

Idler's Rest

Last Sunday we took a delightful (especially if you delight in finding sticks and fallen logs) hike at Idler's Rest. The boys walked up and down every fallen log in sight. Sometimes the boys don't seem that much bigger than last year, but then I look at photos such as these, and recall that we've completely replaced sippy cups with water bottles, etc.  Too fast I say!

Dusty Hike

Oh the places you'll go in search of elk sign. The amount of dust on this walk was amazing (this photo doesn't do it justice), and the kiddos loved making smoke; which was fine, as long as they were behind us. This hike was so fun because we trekked up this dusty slight incline for lots of minutes, and then got to hike down through the brush. Both kids loved jumping off logs, and near the end Bryce had become such a pro, that he was doing those fancy karate spins as he karate chopped limbs--all with closed eyes. Deacon of course found lots of sticks, and informed me that his big stick was in fact a whip and that he was in fact Indiana Jones.

Elk Wallow Hike

Tis the season to begin doing some elk scouting, and thus after a lovely luncheon, we loaded up (even Patton) and set off for hills.  The first photo shows the three guys taking in the l'eau d'elk; who apparently love to wallow in the wallow.  I kept my distance from all the odors (at this point wet dog smell was mingling with elk wafts), and hence the blurry photo.

The boys love to hike, but Deacon gets a little poky (usually because he's busily trading up sticks). Phil always walks first so that he can get any spiderwebs out of the way, then Bryce keeps pace with him, calling out commands to Patton, who ignores him.

At the end of the hike Phil took the boys down a steep shortcut.  Bryce billy-goated down it, unaided.  Phil went ahead of Deacon--just in case-- but instead of climbing, Deacon decided to scoot slowly down on his little caboose.

It was a beautiful day, and we loved getting out in the woods.  Last summer we got out for family hikes as many Sundays as we could, and it's great to be out doing it again. However, I cannot believe that I welcomed that stinky dog into the Pilot . . . but it wasn't anything a little air freshener couldn't handle!

Laird Park

Thankfully, Nana Judy remembered her camera, but I only have an after shot. Uncle Dan brought cousins, Katie and Colton, to Laird Park for a weekend campout to break in their new camper. We met them for a busy Saturday of four-wheeling through mud bogs, tree climbing, stick throwing, squirrel shooting, rope swinging, campfire cooking, s'more making, mud-tracking fun.
Never complaining about his wet feet (which I didn't discover until changing him for the ride home), Deacon declared he was ready to go home in his most adamant voice to date; yet Bryce was the one that conked out before we were back on paved roads.
Hot baths and warm cookies revived eddybuddies'* tired little spirits . . . works every time!
[one of my favorite Bryceisms, that I hope gets preserved until he's at least sixteen]

Equipment vs Rocks

Early this week we enjoyed beautiful weather, and decided to trek out to Phil's new job site. Incidentally, he had some heavy equipment on site, and had set aside some work so the boys could see the machinery in action. Could they have cared less? Maybe. A towering rock wall was far more intriguing though--I guess if your dad has frequent access to heavy equipment, it looses it's luster after a while!
I love to know where Phil is working so that we talk over things at dinner (or during one of my one million phone calls to him each day) I can picture it all.

Elk Creek Falls

Today was a beautiful day, and we decided to get out of town! We hit Elk Creek Falls after a quick post-church lunch (Phil made his famous turkey sandwiches). The boys were troopers, and insisted on hiking by themselves most of the way--Deacon only asked, "Daddy pack me puh-leazzzzze" on the home stretch. As we walked Deacon took on the role of morale-booster, and peppered our walk with outbursts of, "Good walking Mommy!" "Let's use our strong legs!" "I'm brave and strong!"
We took that path that leads straight from the upper falls to view the middle falls, and Bryce gallantly had me hold one end of his walking stick to keep me steady. It was a quite a steep little trail, and Deacon was thrilled when we reached the sure-footing stretch, and he could walk on his own.
As we drove home I asked the boys what their favorite parts of the hike were. Bryce bellowed, "the sticks!" He'd spent the entire hike swapping out walking sticks for bigger and better ones, until his last giant stick wore his little arms out and he returned to a more reasonably sized one--you know, just as long as he is tall, instead of one that dragged ten feet behind him.
Next time we'll bring our suits!