Mother Nature

In a week that brought earthquakes and hurricanes to unusual places, we were able to experience and appreciate the more serene, aesthetic work of Mother Nature.  And we did it in style!  (Noting the impending winter ahead, we opted for a ubiquitous Outback to brave the mountains.)  So far, so good.  It's inspired us to get out a little more, so we did!

Now back to nature.  This past weekend, John's work had a mandatory BBQ out at a local lake.  It had a pretty setting among the hills that reminded us of Austin/Lake Georgetown.  The hills are a bit bigger here though, I think.  :)  Now we know where all of the boats/jet skis we see in town are headed.  Some water fun was had, but Owen mostly enjoyed standing on the floating dock (the floor is moving!) and people watching.

The day after that, we ventured an hour north for a picnic/hike around Mesa Falls, which (I believe I read) are the largest falls in Idaho that have not been tampered with for hydroelectric purposes.  The upper falls had a nice planked trail that took you right down to the edge of the 100'+ waterfall.  Notice the double rainbow in the mist a few pics down.

Then we packed Owen up in the backpack and headed down the trail for a closer view of the lower falls.  He made it about 3 minutes before he totally passed out in the backpack.  It was an easy 2-mile hike (not especially scenic, but lots of signs about bears!) with the roaring river as background noise.  He woke up as we were returning to the visitor center, so he missed the whole thing!

He was, however, awake for the whole drive home after his cat nap in the backpack.  Even his fringy pillow didn't lull him to sleep!