Fish Creek, Idaho

This weekend was absolutely wonderful and relaxing. Thursday afternoon we made the journey up north to Fish Creek to spend a few days among the trees. As many of you know, Will works for Fish and Game. This was our incentive to make the 6 hour drive there; Will was filling in for someone at the fish trap up there. Although I would take that drive (granted I'm always the passenger) any day, it is especially lovely this time of year with the fall colors appearing, deer roaming, and rain pouring.

We arrived around 8:00 PM Thursday, meaning it was already pitch black night and nothing but stars. We parked the car and made camp in the back of it (the other guy working there was already down for the night) under layers of blankets to keep out the cold. We woke early the next morning and I had time to myself to explore the area while Will helped with the trap. Little did I know that Will actually didn't have much to do up here, as far as work goes. Basically, they just need an extra person there in case it rains and the trap gets flushed with a lot of fish. I guess just two days before we arrived there was near 2000 fish one morning. That is a lot! The most we saw was around 80. We helped with other duties where we could.

Regardless, this weekend was a great getaway. I sure missed northern Idaho. It is a completely different world up there. The forest is denser, the mountains larger, the rivers colder, and everything seems a bit magical. Although I grew up in Boise and call it home again right now, northern Idaho will always feel more like home to me. And it isn't just one place up there, I feel a little bit of myself is every tiny old town. There is so much character there; it is damp, green, and a bit rundown.

And it was so cold, so so butt cold while we where there. I don't think it got much below freezing, but between the wind and being near the water and under the trees the air had quite a bite to it. I was packed in tight below layers of thermals, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a down jacket,  and a wool coat. I was glad to have brought multiple layers of wool socks too, although lacing up my hiking boots was a bit difficult. I spent each morning huddled next to a wood stove (they had placed in their work tent) sipping on coffee and petting the dogs. We ended each night with a fire and a warm meal.

Most of my time up there was spent snuggled up with one of the four pups they had up there and reading my book. And lots of exploring. I am so spoiled to be able to tag along on trips like this and have so much time to relax outdoors. I feel at home and myself in the trees and I'm sure they'll be calling my name again soon.

Sawtooth Trip Day 3: Hiking Out

Our last day was simple and maybe a bit less eventful than the other two. We woke early to another beautifully calm morning and leisurely enjoyed our last bit of time at this spot. I made us breakfast while Will threw his line in one last time. We weren't in a rush, but we wanted to leave fairly early, as it would take us a couple hours to hike out and then 3 more to drive home. We took our time packing everything up and adjusting gear. Pippin was adorable, as per usual, and stood guard of camp faithfully as we got things ready to go. I was glad to have packed my Chacos, as I ended up wearing them for the hike out (with socks). There was no way I was putting those boots on again. I want to thank high school lacrosse and cheap cleats with no arch support for teaching me how to properly wrap my feet. That SAVED me on the hike out. I think the hike out was probably 5 times faster than the hike in, thanks to my feet actually being able to function. It was perfectly cloudy and breezy and it was nice to take the same route and notice entirely different things the second time.

We're already hoping to get out and backpack again. This is the perfect time around here for it, with the summer heat slowly leaving and the real Idaho cold not yet here. And perhaps we'll even do this trail again . . . but this time in it's entirety.


Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2!

Backpacking Day 2: Farley Lake

We made the decision pretty early (like right when we found this spot) that we were going to camp at Farley Lake for more than one night. It was just too pretty to pass up. And it was evident that we were no going to be able to continue the loop, with not making it far enough in the first day (having only 3 days allotted for this trip). Thanks boots. Our second day in was spent relaxing and exploring. We woke early with the sunrise and Will didn't waste anytime getting a line out in the calm water while I made us breakfast. Pippin enjoyed warming up in the morning sun after a chilly night. That silly little dog slept the whole night curled up completely in my sleeping bag, all the way down by my feet. He normally can't even stand being covered by a blanket. I was so paranoid all night and kept having to check that he was breathing (because he never makes any noise).

Most of the morning and afternoon was spent simply enjoying each other's company and enjoying being out in the beautiful wilderness. We even all enjoyed a sunbathing session, though Pippin mostly lounged in the shade. It was all lovely lovely lovely.

Late in the afternoon I retreated back into the tent for a nap, having not slept well the night before thanks to Pippin paranoia and an achey body and also because I was feeling a little drained after laying in the sun (oops). While I napped Pippin got to go on a walk with Will. I was jealous. I woke feeling better and made us all peanut noodles for dinner.

Another group set up camp a little ways from us that night and they had a large dog they were letting roam all over. If you know Pippin at all, you know he isn't the friendliest to strangers, especially strange dogs. He is just shy and little and it doesn't come off well. We're working on it. He was so good, though, and didn't try to run off after it and didn't bark at all. But he was so paranoid all night. We snuggled and watched Will fish some more and that helped a little bit. The sunset this night was so breathtaking, slowly coloring the tips of the mountains pink and then the whole sky. It had been windy and cloudy during the day, but it cleared out completely as the sun set and all the stars came out for us again.


Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 3!

Toxaway Loop Day 1: Hiking In

I should start by saying that this trip went extremely not according to plan and that it was also perfect.

Our trip took a turn for the unexpected immediately, when we headed out late Thursday night to drive up to the trailhead. We had left the house around dinner time, with a few errands to run. It was dark by the time  we made it to Highway 55, only to soon learn that the road was closed due to a massive mudslide near Banks (right where we needed to turn onto ID 21). We were a bit grumpy, as we had wanted to camp at the trailhead that night to be able to start our trek early the next morning, but we decided to just go home and leave early in the morning (instead of drive a different route in the dark). We didn't wake up as early as hoped, though, and didn't roll out of Boise until 8:00 AM.  We weren't too upset to have to drive up all the way along Highway 21, it didn't take too much longer than the original route would have. Plus, we would have missed all that prettiness in the dark. The drive is very scenic and it is always nostalgic (for  me) driving up around Idaho City. It was a lovely, foggy morning.

We drove up to the Tin Cup campground at Pettit Lake in the Sawtooths to leave the car and start our trip along the Toxaway Loop trail. Our next unexpected turn quickly followed. It wasn't far into the trail (not even a mile) that I noticed my boots were really rubbing on the back of my heels. I immediately took them off and bandaged and wrapped my feet, as I was not going to let it stop me from continuing as planned, and I didn't want it to get any worse. Unfortunately, it didn't help much and walking soon became unbelievably painful. I was so mad, because I was keeping the pace at an unbelievably slow crawl, and because I had worn these boots many times with no issues. My feet swelled considerably and the pain got even worse. I couldn't complain too much, because the walk (though a bit unbearable) was remarkably beautiful.

We had absolutely every intention of completing, in it's entirety, the Toxaway Loop trail. It wasn't too ambitious either, it would only have required us to hike about 6 miles a day. I took me quite awhile to accept the reality of my situation and realize that our trip was going to be a lot different than I imagined. We had been planning this trip for awhile and I had been quite excited for it. But with the condition my feet were in it was evident I could not hike the whole loop. In fact, we stopped at the very next lake we encountered, Farley Lake. It sure took as long enough to get there, too, with my painfully slow crawl. But you have no idea how good that little glimpse of water through the trees was after climbing up and up all day with swollen, raw feet.

We found the perfect little spot on the lake to set up camp. We had to drop quite a ways into it, which meant it was right on the water (on two sides!) and was completely secluded from the rest of the lake and from the trail. I couldn't have dreamed of a better place to camp. We spent the next hour or two cooking, eating, and relaxing.

We ended the night by watching the sunset and drinking tea near the calm, pink water. Pippin and I could watch Will fishing for hours. So peaceful. It was a remarkably clear night and so many stars came out for us. It was so lovely to slowly fall asleep staring up at them.


Be sure to read Part 2 and Part 3!

The Mountains Have Been Calling For Far Too Long

Will and I are leaving on an adventure in the Sawtooths later tonight, so we can be at the trail and ready to go bright and early tomorrow. We'll be hiking the Toxoway Loop with little Pip in tow, taking lots of time to leisurely explore the area and the several mountain lakes along the way.  I'm so excited to test my new gear out! And to just be out in the wilderness; it has been far too long. Enjoy your weekend, lovelies. You'll see me back here Monday (Tuesday at the latest) with plenty of pictures and stories.