Stanley, Idaho • September 18

Wilderness Campsite

Stanley is a small town 60 miles north of Ketchum in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Galena Summit sits between these towns. The weather was warm and dry on Saturday, so we piled the boys into the back of the car and set off to see some of the sights this area has to offer. The foliage is beginning to change into its autumn brilliance and patches of red and more often golden yellow are popping out among the acres and acres of conifers.

View from Dining Room, Redfish Lake Lodge

We stopped at the SNRA headquarters where we picked up a few maps and had a conversation with the local forest ranger about camping. There were many warning signs and posters at the headquarters pertaining to the wildlife in the area. Black Bears seem to be the most dangerous nuisance. We left and scoped the wilderness campsites and made notes of those we would like to try next year.  We visited Stanley, population 300, which took all of 10 minutes. The day flew by as we loaded our digital cameras with dozens of shots of the mountains.

By dinner time, we were on our way back. We decided to visit Redfish Lake, a resort and camping area a few miles south of Stanley. The resort lodge was a perfect place for dinner. Local ruby red trout was the special of the evening.

By sunset, we were traveling over Galena Summit, and on our way back to our little place in Ketchum.

Shadows on the Sawtooth Mountain Range at Sunset

Going over Galena Summit

Ticking Off The Restaurant Bucket List

The Perpetual Diner

We never leave Ketchum without a visit to The Kneadery, our favorite breakfast establishment. We went there last Thursday. The dining room is rustic and filled with interesting artifacts.  The service is always excellent. Of course, the breakfast menu is the best! You can get almost any type breakfast you want, healthy, or not. We always opt for the "or not" because pancakes and waffles at the Kneadery are fabulous--The Kneadery advertises that it uses all fresh and local ingredients. The special of the day was oatmeal pancakes topped with sliced strawberries and (optional) whipped cream, along with hot maple syrup. That sounded perfect! Optional whipped cream? Are you kidding? The only question was whether to have it on the side or on top. That didn't matter to me, and when my breakfast arrived, I had a mountain of homemade cream. Needless to say, I didn't need lunch. And oh, on the way out the door, you are encouraged to grab a homemade cookie or brownie for the road from under the cake cover on the perpetual diner's table!

Homecoming in Hailey

Big Belly Deli

Yesterday, after two days of reading, shopping, and just hanging out, we decided to go biking. It was a bright, yet cool day with temperatures in the low 70's. At first I regretted wearing short sleeves. We were riding south and there was a pretty brisk wind in our faces. It took 15 or 20 minutes to forget about being chilly. We wanted to get to the end of the trail. We found the termination at the southern end of Bellevue, a small town a couple of miles south of Hailey. Our plan was to have a sandwich at the Big Belly Deli in Hailey, so we turned around and headed north 5 miles, arriving in Hailey 20 minutes later. As we aproached Main Street, we noticed a flat bed truck filled with kids who had an assortment of band instruments, heading north on Main Street. It was pretty obvious they were having a great time!

At the deli, we ordered our sandwiches and headed out to the patio in front, wanting to stay in the warm, sunny weather. As we were eating, the Hailey police arrived at the corner and blocked the side street with yellow tape. Both of us noticed that there were people lining up along Main Street. We heard someone mention parade and figured that it must be homecoming time in the local Wood River High school. We were right!

Freshman Royalty

Fifteen minutes later, we were treated to a delightful display of happy, enthusiastic high school students having great fun. Their floats were the usual high school fare--trucks and flatbeds decorated with green and white crepe paper and hand-painted signs saying "Go Wolverines! Beat the Senators!". What was so striking was the level of student participation. Float after float went by, all containing 10 to 30 students each. I lost count, but it seemed that all the clubs and organizations in the high school were represented. Their band must not be a marching band, because the members rode on the flatbed that we had observed earlier. As they went by, they played what sounded like local school songs. The chorus had a float, complete with keyboard and sound system, so while they went by, we heard selections from their repertoire. The football moms were represented and several of them went into the crowd handing out home-made oatmeal raisin cookies! Even the math club and the Volley Ball Team were represented. I lost count of the organizations that participated, but the parade went on for about one-half hour. It was amazing! So many young people were having fun, being supported by parents and merchants along Main Street who closed their doors to watch the local high school homecoming parade. Such a happy community! (More photos below.)

The "Marching" Band

Scenes from The Wood River High School Homecoming Parade • September 16, 2010

The Wood Valley High School Football Team

The Volley Ball Team

The Football Moms

Our Glorious Ride • September 12, 2010

The Wood River

The weather has moderated here. The cold snap seems to be over and the warm, glowing days of September are upon us. Yesterday could be described no other way than glorious. It was in the mid-30's when we awoke, and by 2:30, it was 84 outside the motor home!

In the early afternoon we decided to ride the bike trail south again. What a difference a week made. Last Sunday we bucked the wind going both ways and it was chilly until you started riding. Yesterday was very still and pleasantly warm. The ride to Hailey was really fast because the elevation decreases 600 feet, which oddly enough makes a difference, even over nine miles. We sailed down to the south end of Hailey. After going nine miles, we contemplated going farther,  just to see where the trail ends. We decided against it, but noticed a 14 mile marker just after we turned around. We will explore the rest of the trail another day when we get an earlier start.

A Golf Course

Going south is nice. You pass several horse ranches, a golf course, and many large homes. The trail winds through the Wood River Valley, which is flanked by sandy, high desert foothills. It has a quiet beauty. The ride north is spectacular because you can see the higher foothills near Ketchum and the distant snow-capped Boulder Mountains. Remnants of hardy, colorful wildflowers are scattered along the side of the trail. Of course, you can always hear sounds of the Wood River and see an occasional fly-fisherman.

A Horse Ranch

Looking North

I noticed that everyone on the trail was smiling. The path was lightly traveled on the northern end near Ketchum. As we got closer to Hailey, there were many families riding together. A family of eight was strung out along the trail. Mom led the way with five kids of all ages in the middle, while dad and a 4- or 5-year-old on a tandem brought up the rear. We saw several parents towing their little ones in those cool trailers. At one point, Dick remarked about the amazing advances in bicycle technology since we started riding in the mid-seventies.

This trail is constructed over an old railroad route and is groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing, showshoeing, and walking.

It was a great ride. We have two weeks left to enjoy more.

Scenes from the Bike Trail • September 12, 2010

Looking North from the Bridge

Trail Bridge

Looking into the Wood River

The beginning of autumn color

Chocolate Gulch • September 11, 2010

The Boulder Mountains from the road

Since it was so chilly Friday night (37° in Hailey), my friend Chris and I waited until 9:15 to drive to the Chocolate Gulch trailhead, just north of Ketchum. (Once the sun rises, the temperature can rise more than 30° in a few hours.) On the way, we were treated to glimpses of the snow-covered Boulder Mountains.

Chris brought her two dogs, a German shorthair, and little white mixed-breed rescue that has bright blue eyes! The dogs are accustomed to hiking and probably know every trail within 50 miles of here. Most hikers have one or two dogs with them. The dogs always run loose. When they meet other dogs, there is the requisite momentary sniffing, and then they continue on with their owners. Chris's dogs took off the minute we started hiking. Occasionally you could see a flash of white and a darker shadow flying through the forest or underbrush. That was Belle (the shorthair) and Skye (the rescue). They checked back occasionally, but spent their time chasing creatures and exploring, and when all was said and done, probably put in three times the mileage than we did!

Bridge over the Wood River at the Trailhead

Through a break at the beginning of the ascent

The beginning of the trail follows the Wood River, winds rather steeply through a beautiful conifer forest and crests at the top of a ridge that looks north to the Boulder Mountains and east to the Pioneers. The view was spectacular yesterday due to the contrast of the distant snow and the bright blue sky. From the crest, it is all downhill through rocky out-crops and meadows, where you follow a stream that eventually feeds into the Wood River near the trailhead. The hike is a little more difficult than the Adams Gulch hike because of its early, steep ascent, although it seemed much shorter. We were on the trail close to two hours, but that included time for me to stop and take photos. It was so beautiful, I didn't want it to end. Before I leave this area, I'll take Baxter and do it again.

(See earlier post for more photos.)

Chocolate Gulch Photos • September 11, 2010

View of The Boulder Mountains from the top of Chocolate Gulch

Chocolate Gulch Trail on the way down

View on the way down

The end of the trail

Snow on the Mountain • September 10, 2010

Boulder Mountain Range from the back of our RV

Wow! It was chilly this morning. We were supposed to have record breaking low temperatures during the night, but I don't think that happened here. By the time we got up, it was 40°. Dick came in and told me that there was snow on the distant mountains. Sure enough, the Boulder Mountains, the range just north of Ketchum, are completely covered with snow. What a sight! I am glad it is there, and not here. I am just not ready for that!

Biking

This is a paradise for cyclists. The bike trail comes within 1000 feet of our motor home. Last Sunday afternoon we biked south to Hailey. The trip is approximately 10 miles, one-way. On the way down, I thought I felt a cross-wind coming from the southwest, almost a head-wind. Since there is an elevation decrease of 600 feet or so, I thought, Wow! I am going to get help going back home. I was sure the gusts were blowing right in my face, and was really looking forward to riding back, pretty much with the wind at my back. Wrong! When we turned around, the wind was even stronger, and definitely in my face. I made it back without a single stop, but felt justified in having a big, fat dessert Sunday night!

The ride takes you through rolling farmland, past many beautiful horse ranches, with a backdrop of soft hills and rugged peaks. Everything looks so golden this time of year. 

The trail south to Hailey

Yesterday, we headed north to Ketchum/Sun Valley. Dick challenged me to do the Elkhorn loop. This is the first year I would even attempt it because it is long and hard. The trail goes up a hill (mountain) that is more than a mile long at a 5-6% grade. Thankfully, the wind wasn't blowing! Dick was right behind me, coaching me on what gears to use. I don't know how I got to the top, but I did! Flying down the other side was fun. The trail goes past Dollar Mountain ski slope and lodge and loops around to the road where we viewed the parade, then into downtown Ketchum. I really dislike riding in traffic, but drivers in Ketchum seem to grant cyclists the right of way. We stopped at our favorite sandwich shop, Perry's, for the usual egg salad (Dick) and veggie (JoAnne) sandwiches. We love to go there, sit outside, eat our sandwiches, and watch the world go by!

After lunch, we finished the loop, going along and under the highway in two different tunnels, winding over and back from the Wood River on old railroad bridges. What a ride!

Twin Falls

We decided to go shopping in Twin Falls on Tuesday. Located 70 miles south of Ketchum, it takes approximately 2 hours on two-lane roads to get there. Twin Falls and Boise are the best places to shop if you live in the Sun Valley/Ketchum area. Each time we visit this city, we visit Centennial Park in the Snake River Canyon.

Bridge over Snake River Canyon

Centennial Park in the Snake River Canyon

The Boys on the Boat Dock

Sunday Night at daVinci's

daVinci's in Hailey

We have a bucket list of restaurants that we visit every time we come to this area. At the top of the list is daVinci's in Hailey, a town 10 or so miles south of Ketchum. We have been here less than two weeks, and we have already been to daVinci's twice. Sunday  night we dined with our friends who are neighbors of the owners.

This restaurant caters to locals, serving "New York style Italian". It opened in 1996, and has had the same servers since the 90's! The building is 100 years old, and according to locals "has been everything from a flop house to a free store to a restaurant."  The owners claim that there is not a single right-angle left in the building and it finished settling 50 years ago. Needless to say, the dining room is very cozy.

Most of the dishes they serve are made in their own kitchen; each meal is served with salad and crusty bread. Everything is always wonderful, but the desserts are the best! My favorite is Mountain High Mud Pie, "a mountain of cookies and cream and mocha almond fudge ice cream in a homemade chocolate cookie crumb crust on a bed of hot fudge topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa--it's huge!" Dick and I shared one! Yum!

Wagon Days! Scenes from The Big Hitch Parade

It seems that Wagon Days would be mentioned every time we visited Sun Valley. For years we have been hearing how great the parade is. Last year when we decided to come back here for a month we made sure that the time would include Labor Day weekend so we could finally see what everyone has been talking about. As you can see, we had perfect weather!

The celebration included live music, paragliding displays, rubber duck race, a concert featuring one of the world's premier classical pianists, a pancake breakfast, and the Big Hitch Parade--one of the largest non-motorized parades in the US.

Stage Coach from Black Jack Ketchum Shoot Out

Cast members of the Black Jack Ketchum Shoot Out

Rotary Rubber Ducky Wagon

The Big Hitch: Wagon Days, September 4, 2010

Wagon Days celebrates the mining heritage in the Wood River Valley. Ketchum was a prosperous silver mining town in the mid-1800's. Big Hitch Ore Wagons were used to haul thousands of pounds of ore on narrow mountain roads with hairpin curves and ledges that dropped off thousands of feet. It was a daunting task for the mule skinner, a man who knew every inch of the wagon he drove, the personality of each of his mules, and the road he was driving. He did this with a jerkline, which is a rein that is 100 feet long that is attached to each of the mules. With distinct whips and jerks, the skinner commands the mules and navigates the road. The mule team can number up to 20 mules. Mules were used instead of horses because of their temperament, power, and stamina.

The Big Hitch

The Mule Skinner

The Brakemen

The End!

Wagon Days! Scenes from The Big Hitch Parade

Looking down to Ketchum from the parade route

Hours before the parade, people found their spots, set up their chairs, left their picnic coolers, and then went down the hill into Ketchum to see friends, shop the sales, and participate in an array of festivities for all ages. It seemed like we were in a receiving line when we ventured down the street with our friend, Chris. We could go no more than 10 or 15 feet without her meeting someone she knew. We met many residents from the Sun Valley-Ketchum-Hailey area.

Great Wagon Days Duck Race

For a $5 donation, you could buy a rubber duck with an id number on its bottom. Thousands of little ducks were raced down the Big Wood River. There were fabulous prizes awarded for the early finishers, including $1 million in store credits in the Sun Valley area shops. Proceeds of the race benefit students, charities, and countless non-profits. I haven't heard that we have won the $1 million, yet.

The Beginning of the Big Hitch Parade

The EhCapa Lead Riders

EhCapa

The EhCapa Riders are youngsters aged 8 to 18 who are trained to do maneuvers and jumps, all without the aid of bridles or saddles. The organization was formed in 1956 as a way for kids to have fun with their horses.  The riding style is reminiscent of Native Americans. EhCapa is Apache spelled backwards! Needles to say, they were very impressive

 

Since there were so many horses in the parade, the local hockey team was enlisted to don roller blades and scoop up the road apples after the horses passed. They had a very interesting technique and often there was pressure to finish the job before the next group marched by! On many occasions they elicited enthusiastic applause!

The Grand Marshall