Mt. Holly

There is a hidden gem full of recreational opportunities in Southwestern Utah, it's called the Tushar Mountains, just east of Beaver.  There are lakes and streams to fish, places to camp and mountains to climb.  The Tushar range is the third tallest in Utah encompassing an area roughly 30 miles long and 20 miles wide.  With 15 named high points ranging from 10,972 to 12,173 it's hard to believe that the area remains relatively unknown.   If you're looking to escape the crowds head for the Tushars, you won't be disappointed.  

Saturday morning we (Yvonne, Kent & Allison) started out on the Mt. Holly trail near
 the Skyline Lodge at Eagle Point Ski Resort. The trail does not go to the top, but it's easy to find your way 

Great views and lush scenery from the get-go 

There's just something about being in the mountains

The wildflowers were abundant

Holy cow!  So glad that's not a bear!

This mushroom looks like a pancake

Lots of rain means mushrooms!

We were surprised to find little streams flowing

Colorful Delphinium or Larkspur

Chipper, our new puppy enjoyed his first hike
(Chipper is six months old)

 Delano Peak is the highest peak in the Tushars at 12,173 ft.

Chipper leads the way, look at that snow!

That's Mt. Baldy (12,122 ft) in the distance

White Topaz Crystals I found along this section of trail

Looking back towards the trailhead 

Although we reached 11,900 it's still not the tippy top of Mt. Holly,
but with the storm clouds hovering above we are calling it good and playing it safe!

Chipper having a little snack and a well deserved rest

Since the storm clouds were moving in we took a quick lunch break 

Puffer Lake is in the distance and a few of the ski runs at Eagle Point

All the way up and all they way down, great views in every direction

The wildflowers were really beautiful
Lake Peak at 11,310 ft is in the background

 We hiked 4.1 miles with a 1500 ft. elevation gain

We made it back before the rain!

Aerial view of the route we took

Kent couldn't resist fishing Merchant Creek at the muddy confluence of Three Creeks,
the trout won, he didn't catch anything!  

Northern Idaho Getaway

Have you acted on a whim?  Sometimes it's best not to plan everything in life.  Recently we felt the need to visit friends, Bill and Donna Faris in Hayden, Idaho.  We spent 3 days visiting, sightseeing and celebrating (Bill recently retired after 29 yrs as a physical therapist).  Of course, celebrations meant we had to eat, and boy did we enjoy some of the best meals with our friends. We also had a fun surprise visit with Hope Harper, at the last minute, who also lives in Hayden. A special thanks to Bill and Donna for everything . . . it was so good to spend time with both of you . . . anytime you want to "celebrate" something just give us a call!       

We had a nice visit with Hope and her blue-eyed cat, Frank

In the afternoon we enjoyed a hike in the English Point Trail System with Bill . . .
hey, Bill, where's the other half of your leg???

We passed some neat fungi growing on a tree

 Kent & Bill having a little fun after all these years . . . some things never change!

Pretty Buttercups and Forget-Me-Not growing along the trail

We had an unforgettable steak dinner at Wolf Lodge Inn
We each had the 10 oz. Sirloin, it was the best ever!
and yes, we ate the whole thing!

There's so much to see and do in Coeur d'Alene

Starting up the Mineral Ridge trail

Moisture from last nights rain 

Yellow slime mold 

Lake Coeur d'Alene is 32 miles long 

Here's another scenic view of a very beautiful lake . . .
hard to believe there was no one else on the trail

Old bridge at Falls Park in Post Falls . . .
Built in 1929 at a cost of $22,948.00

View of Post Falls Dam on the Spokane River

Canadian geese

We never did get to see the driver to check out his hair . . . do you think he's bald?

Friday we hiked the Tubbs Hill trail

Reflection and reminiscing 

Dinner at Capone's with Donna & Bill

We laughed that Bill bought his own Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake . . . 
we enjoyed helping him eat it just the same! 

Priest Lake 

Here we are enjoying another beautiful day in Idaho

Who could resist a view like this from Cavanaugh Bay . . . certainly not us!

A unique feature at the Spokane airport . . . rocking chairs!

Flying into Salt Lake City

Almost home . . . that's Hurricane our hometown