Storm Chaser

Maybe I watched Twister too much as a child, because in my mind there is quite a bit of romanticism behind storms and chasing them. Nothing beats sitting out with a view of the valley and watching big thunderstorms roll in. I'm definitely the type to drop everything I'm doing — and make those around me do the same — to run out and get a better view of a sudden storm. This was just the case Wednesday afternoon, when huge storm clouds crept in from behind the mountains (the opposite way storms usually build in this town). I proposed we take Pippin for a quick walk in the hills before the rain hit, with the full intention of seeing this storm in all its glory. And boy, did we happen to time it perfectly. The moment we got to the top of the ridge the thunder had begun to build and the storm hovered just beyond us. It only started to pour as we made our way back down again; we only got muddy and soaked a little bit :) but that's what bathtubs are for, right?

Hope you're enjoying your long weekend!
xx Emorie

A Valley Like This

A VALLEY LIKE THIS

Sometimes you look at an empty valley like this,
and suddenly the air is filled with snow.
That is the way the whole world happened—
there was nothing, and then…

But maybe some time you will look out and even
the mountains are gone, the world become nothing
again. What can a person do to help
bring back the world?

We have to watch it and then look at each other.
Together we hold it close and carefully
save it, like a bubble that can disappear
if we don’t watch out.

Please think about this as you go on. Breath on the world.
Hold out your hands to it. When mornings and evenings
roll along, watch how they open and close, how they
invite you to the long party that your life is.

- William Stafford

We had a lovely little escape this weekend on a beautiful trail with views of the valley. I've surely been seeing this city with a new set of eyes lately. I wasn't born here, but as long as I can remember I've called Boise home. This was were I grew up and all I knew. When I graduated high school, I couldn't wait to get away from this place. I was ready to establish myself anywhere but here and see as much of the world as I could. Coming back, honestly (at first), felt like failure. I held on to that negative energy for a while, too.

But the longer I stay here, the more I fall in love with this city and this valley all over again. As I winded through this beautiful trail Saturday, I couldn't help but have a few moments of shock that I've always been able to live somewhere this beautiful. The fact that you have views of two mountain ranges from everywhere in this city is pretty remarkable. Adventure is available everywhere. And the local community is rather incomparable. I think experiencing the city again, with Will (who grew up elsewhere) has shined a new light on everything. I love showing off all the gems here and discovering new places; it's pretty crazy that there are still new places for me here (I have a hard time believing it sometimes).

This is my favorite time of year in these hills. The green doesn't last very long, so I like to soak it in as much as possible while it's here. Granted, the yellows and browns are beautiful as well, but I prefer the weather this time of year, too (over the heat, yes please). Sadly, sometimes I forget how alive I feel in these hills. We can't ever take this valley for granted.

As much I still want to travel and maybe live up north again, I sure don't mind calling this my home base. Something about this place will always be home to me. And, Boise, I'm falling in love with you all over again.

xx Emorie

We Found The Blue Sky!

It has been extremely gloomy for far too long here in Boise with the inversion that has settled over the valley. It has been over a week since we have seen even a glimpse of the sky. Day after day the forecast says clear and sunny, but all that we are experiencing is gross grey smog. I can't remember the inversion ever being this bad or sticking around this long in the winter before. It is definitely rubbing off on all of us — wanting nothing but to stay grumpily indoors. I'm now positive that the only reason this cough of mine is still barely lingering is due to this gross air.

Yesterday I decided we'd had enough and it was time to breathe some fresh air again and get outside somewhere were we would enjoy it. We made the hour drive up to Idaho City and it was well worth it. Breaking through that thick grey and seeing the sun again was like waking up from a week long depression induced slumber. I'm thinking a lot of other folks from Boise had the same idea of a Sunday drive in search of sunshine because Idaho City was packed full of people and their pups walking around enjoying the weather. Some of them were even enjoying ice cream cones!

We ventured 20 miles further up the highway, with the hopes of driving up a scenic overpass backroad to a secluded hiking trail. But the further we drove on, the deeper the snow piled quickly. The road was completely covered in multiple feet of snow with no way for a vehicle to trench though so we headed back to town in search of a simpler trail. We ended up walking the airport loop; an easy, casual trail that followed along the small airstrip up there, winding peacefully through thick pines. I cannot tell you how much of a treat it was. The breathing was easy and the sunshine felt like gold on my skin. We may have wandered off trail a bit, not wanting our hike end. If I had not been focusing on balancing on the ice and snow, I would of taken a video of Pippin happily hopping in and out of the snow piles. That pup couldn't get enough of the adventure, fresh air, and fun in powder form.

Looking back through these pictures today while peering out my window at the thick grey inversion is a little heartbreaking. I'm just happy we were able to treat ourselves yesterday and I'm crossing my fingers for a storm to come through and blow this yuck away. My lungs will be happy when it clears.

Hoping you are well,
xx Emorie

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!

Jump Creek Again

Monday, in my latest weekend wears post, I mentioned that I tried to get Will and I out a bit this weekend before he left for a work trip. I decided a hike around Jump Creek would be fun, since it was where we took all the pups last time we were watching Bo (my sister's dog). Crazy that that was my first real post on OWM, it seems like forever ago. Last time we hiked here there was such a crowd of people that we skipped hiking the trail into the canyon to view the falls and instead took the longer hike up and around the canyon. So, we woke up early Sunday morning with the hopes of beating other potential hikers out there and also the heat so we could do both trails.

Bo, I think, must have thought we were driving to the boonies to off him because he whined the entire way there (an hour+ drive). I don't know why, but he is slightly terrified of Will. There was nothing we could do, poor pup, so we just turned the music up to save the rest of us from going crazy. Pippin just wanted to nap the whole way and Scout is content so long as he gets to sit near the window. Once we made it there they were all pretty happy to be running around.

We did beat everyone out there, so we had the whole place to ourselves. We took our time exploring and playing around in the water. I was really amused by all the cave drawings I found. This place really is rather beautiful, so it was nice to relax out there for a bit. I tried to got some pictures of the dogs but they were too busy zooming around (especially Scout) to care about stopping for a second to pose, or panicking when we tried to get some pictures of ourselves. They are all excellent photo-bombers, but Bo is pro. That picture of the two of us that I thought was photo-bomb free, did you spot Pippin? I didn't at first. He made it up that rock, too. He is an excellent rock climber.

We unfortunately didn't beat the heat, though. It got so hot so fast, so we only hiked around the lower area. I didn't want to go hiking up any step slopes in that oven, thank you. Those pups tired out quickly, anyway, and they earned a bath after.

Go away, heat, so I can go enjoy the outsides again.