IDAHO, who knew you were so lovely??

IDAHO

Roadside Bucket o' Hot Springs

Quintessential Idaho experience - they have a lot of geothermal activity underground and spewing over

Our first campsite down by the river.
there's so much more water in Idaho and it's wonderful!
pouring down from the Sawtooth Range

The marina at Redfish Lake - I finally got to go paddle boating after years of longing.

Hanging out at the beach, it was really that warm and such an unsuspecting treat at such a high elevation.




the most scenic lakeside camping spot ever!!



taking a swim in the lake


Redfish Lake in Sawtooth National Rec. Area!!
we dream of making this destination a summer tradition



Welcome to Stanley, Idaho just north of the Sawtooth Rec. Area
the quintessential Wild West completely remote, rustic Mountain village
a total "spinning around, sound of music" feel for sure




more of Stanley, Idaho

playing boccie ball at the Teton Brewery in Victor, Idaho




The back of the Tetons around Grand Targhee ski mountain in Driggs, Idaho

Wild West Roadtrip

Matt and I just got back from our second annual :::
Wild West Roadtrip!!
We visited Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming again!

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We started out at our dear friend, Scotty's, cabin in the middle of a ranch in Big Piney, Wyoming (the first building built in Sublette County - which is an hour South of Jackson)

First thing after waking up and sipping coffee - we were invited to "shoot guns" right outside - so wanting to fully embrace and experiment with the local culture - Matt aimed the gun (no idea what kind of gun?!) at the clavicle bone of an deceased cow resting on the old, faded fence post.








a glance inside the wonderfully rustic, cozy Wild West cabin















A lovely isolated (Wyoming is the least populated state with only 500,000 people!!!) river bend with a wonderful husband / road-trip-mate.

Later in the day the boys went Fly Fishing while I laid around and enjoyed the big, open sky.

one of the desires of Matt's heart

Here we are trying to hang on to the rusty-metal-bull

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Here we are lying flat on our backs - a bit shocked that it went by so fast.




the lonely, muddy road in and out of town.

Ode to Dish Washing Friends

Ode to Dish-Washing-Friends

because there are some out there

last week at House Church after a tasty dinner:::

I meandered through the kitchen and lo and behold -- Sarah Hoover (and probably Christi K) were slaving over the massive pile of dishes in Paul's sink (thanks for everything, Paul). And I thought of this quote and I still think it's true - the revolutionary-types don't want to do the dishes -- so I'm glad there are lots of different Types out there - we need each other - No Man is an Island! - We're a continent of longing and community.

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So, let's take turns dreaming and doing the dishes.
We'll trade off brainstorming and baking,
Re-imagining and reminding,
Building monuments of turquoise play-dough,
Meandering inner chambers with our neighbors.

Recent Reads.

Some Book Reviews:::

Revolution and Dishes

Everyone wants a revolution

but no one wants to do the dishes!

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It takes a community to impact a community.

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When you live or participate in a small, intentional community - you will get hurt and you essentially have to embrace that and move on. And then the beauty becomes the commitment and unity found in the diversity. (super paraphrased)

~~ these are all excerpts from an excellent book I just read:::

Becoming the Answer to our Prayers - by Shane Claiborne and Johnathan Hartsgrove

Summertime is Here!

Let the Field Trips begin:::

Kayaking at the annual Rodeo Series in Golden, CO - it was quite amazing and hilarious watching the wee ones maneuver the kayaks!!
Hooray for urban kids enjoying outdoor sports!

picnic-ing at the Trail Head - look at all the staff! Hooray for volunteers and college interns!

on the tip top of Devil's Head - don't you love how the kids arranged themselves for the photo.

I love the children so much and I am excited for all of our fun adventures that lie ahead for us this summer. This particular group was really fast getting up the mountain - I was very impressed - it was one of the kid's first hike in the mountains!!

"LISTEN to THAT."

A quick word on the Howells:::  Ian and Camille were the first two Eagle Lakers i met when i arrived on the mountain for the first time back in '04.  They were so welcoming and kind.  They were dating at the time.  We later got to live together at Glen Eyrie Conference Center in Colorado Springs - we shared many good and hard times - i got to sing in their wedding - which attests more to their kindness than to my performance abilities.  They are some of the most inspiring and full-of-love people i know for sure.  

Camille works in Communication & Development for a DPS charter school - and i just love talking about social justice / community development through education with her -- i so enjoyed talking about educational systems, reforms and ideas.  And i got so excited about this particular topic -- and i told her that and this is what she said:::

 "LISTEN to THAT."  

I love that advice::  "LISTEN to THAT."  Whatever it is that gets you so excited, that topic about which you could read a dozen books or have a dozen conversations and enjoy every minute of it.  THAT is obviously a passion and maybe a gift or a strength - so listen to it.    So thanks, Camille, I love that advice and I will listen to THAT - I'll listen to this call towards education, towards children.  I won't forget the importance and beauty of teaching and learning.  What I'm saying is::: I WANT TO BE A TEACHER someday.  I think education is so vital and beautiful and I want to be a part of it.