Greater Ketchum, Idaho 9/16/2013

SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 (Monday)

Happy birthday Larry!

Looked outside this morning and it looked ugly, but when I did drag myself out I saw that it was lovely. There had been a small rainstorm that passed through very quickly and then it was lovely again.

We left around 11 AM and just drove. We found the most beautiful road that followed a river into the mountains. Just glorious. We passed a skeet shooting club and Lexi and I decided we want to try it soon. We stopped and walked down to the river and saw lots of people and lots of dogs. Was surprised at how many dogs liked going into the water.

Captured cloud. The top had a good hold on it.

A nice mix of trees in spots and bare mountainside otherwise.

We were near the top, where the road turns from asphalt to dirt. This fellow turned around same as us. We stopped several times and he rode to the bottom and turned around and we saw him headed back up.

Grumpy old man with pretty woman along side the road.

Typical majestic view in the SawTooth National Forest.

Though we did not see one, we like to think that this was an Eagle's nest. — Though we did not see one, we like to think that this was an Eagle’s nest.

The river turns into a lazy river, great flood control.

Pretty stream that is very popular in the area. A great walking path runs quite a ways along the stream.

Woman walking her dogs and they stop to play with a pretty woman on the path.

Happy dogs begging scratches from grumpy old man.

Lex, the pretty woman's daughter. — Lex, the pretty woman’s daughter.

I saw Lex bend over and touch this rock. I did too. It was almost soft it was so smooth. I can't hardly imagine the grains of sand, waves of water and time that made it that way. — I saw Lex bend over and touch this rock. I did too. It was almost soft it was so smooth. I can’t hardly imagine the grains of sand, waves of water and time that made it that way.

After that we drove into Haily to go to the Verizon Store. Lexi has been having trouble with her data usage. We got that corrected and also asked more questions about my phone being turned off. We were told we would have to go online or go to one of their stores in order to do that. Kind of a wasted visit but at least Lexi got her data usage straightened out.

We drove back into Ketchum. We walked around for a bit, looking for a nail place to get one of Lexi’s nails fixed. We finally went to the Ketchum Visitor’s Center inside the Starbucks. The lady in the kiosk knew by memory a number of a place. Lexi called and made an appointment for 3 PM. We had some time to kill so we walked across the street and had lunch.

The place we had lunch at was called Bigwood Bread Cafe. It was excellent. You go inside and order, they give you a number, you take the number and find a table, they find you with order. Michael ordered a turkey, Lexi got a club sandwich, and I got an egg salad. We also got a piece of carrot cake. I made the mistake of opening up the box of the carrot cake while we were waiting. It disappeared in seconds. Michael and I both agreed that it was the best carrot cake we had ever had. Very rich, thick, and good. All the sandwiches were excellent. Would definitely recommend that place to anyone. Also, all the staff were very friendly and fun.

Outside the combined starbucks and visitor's center. — Outside the combined Starbucks and visitor’s center.

We think a blue spruce and they all have the cones on the very top fifth of the trees. We will read about it when we get our next room with internet in it.

Tonight is all about NCIS, maybe a pasta dinner, and sleep. Hope your day was great!