Adventure 413: Fracless Day Three

Thin Gruel, Filer Style

We decided to enjoy another day in Filer, which by now (after dinner) has proven to be a great choice. After a restful sleep last night in the Losser guest room, we joined Tom and Pat for their morning walk (three laps around the perimeter of their three acres). The four of us ventured out before sunup, which is their ritual. Pat starts the coffee, and by the time the laps are completed, so is the coffee. And that, my friends, is my first actual taste of Boot Camp. I mean, if exercise before dawn isn't Boot Camp, then I'm not G.I. Tim. From there it just got better. Pat made Dutch Baby Pancakes for breakfast accompanied by delicious local bacon. After breakfast, Tom and I went over to his son's place to fetch a twelve foot 1960 Hewescraft heirloom boat that Tom is restoring for his daughter-in-law. The boat has lived most of its life at Priest Lake at her family's cabin. Unfortunately, the family couldn't keep the cabin property under the new lease laws instituted by the state of Idaho. Tom's gift is to restore the boat, so his son, wife, and kids can enjoy it down here in Southern Idaho. Tom and I moved the boat to Gary Hooley's shop, which is not only warm, but is equipped with every tool necessary to strip the split wooden dashboard, the old control cables, the rotting transom, and the too well worn wooden bench seats. We accomplished this all before lunch, which again was a farm fresh meal prepared by Sarah and Loey Hooley with a little help from my Bunny. From there, Tom and I wheeled into Twin Falls to buy marine plywood for the transom and bench seats, a nice piece of poplar for the dash, and brand new hardware to reassemble the pieces after they've been milled. We managed to remove both the transom and the dashboard intact, which Tom will use as templates to fabricate the new pieces. It was a satisfying day. We got back to the Losser place just as dusk was spreading across the farmlands. It's unseasonably warm here this week, and the pastel winter sunset hung like Impressionist art on the horizon. Very peaceful. Pat made Manhattan Clam chowder for dinner, and Tom and I watched the college football championship feeling all the while like patriots. Judy and I will leave in the morning after saying our good byes. If we're blessed with traveling mercies once again, we'll arrive at my cousin's place in Park City, Utah sometime in mid afternoon. It's clear, especially when surrounded by good friends, that life is good, especially today.

Boot Camp report: No alcohol, three lively laps around the Losser spread, several gymnastic moves around the Hewescraft, and another plethora of farm fresh food.

 Quit playing with your food, Timmy!

 The Hewescraft in full refit mode.

 Tom wisely taking pictures of things as we went BEFORE we took things apart.

This two piece transome was sandwiched over a thin piece of aluminum, and held together with thirty wood screws along with a brushing of epoxy. We kept at it until we coaxed the pieces off in one piece.

 Whoo! Hoo! Now, off to town for the first of several trips to the hardware store.

 Tom grows his own popcorn (Which is incredible). This is the stash we get to take with us!

 The Bunny relaxing before dinner with seed catalogs; Tom in the background watching her in order to "practice" retirement.

 Tom's man shed.

 The back "yard" and the bulk of our walking route.

Adventure 412: Fracless Day Two

Farm Fresh Happiness

Some joys in life are worth repeating, sort of like capturing lightning in a bottle, and even though many may say "You can never go back", I respectfully disagree. Every time we visit the Hooley Clan in Filer, Idaho, my spirit shivers, electrified as it were by the joy, peace, and love these people offer us. it's all consuming just as the bright light from a flashing bolt. The only thing missing is the pouring rain; rather, there is an outpouring of genuine interest, generous intention, and all that is left is a tingle of joy so refreshing we feel renewed. We left Boise at about 7 A.M. We arrived in Filer just in time for Sunday School at Filer Mennonite Church, where we've visited so often now, the members of the congregation welcome us as old friends. The drive, while short presented a bit of a challenge due to the dense fog and the patchy slippery roads. No matter. We took it slow and made it safely. After church, we became pampered "farm fed" guests. We enjoyed a freshly butchered rash of roast beef, green beans which had been canned fresh from the garden, a mixture of roasted root vegetables, shredded cabbage, and home made apple sauce. For dessert, we had yogurt made from Molly the Cow's fresh milk, topped with canned cherries, plums, and peaches. Along side, Pat Losser, Loey Hooley's sister, presented us with fresh baked short bread so jam packed with filberts they could have passed for nut bars. After lunch, the men sat in the living room and jibber-jabbered while the women did the same at the table. After what seemed like mere moments, it was time for a family tradition of  enjoying popcorn, which Tom Losser grows. We kept the jibber-jabber up talking the gamut from animal husbandry to woodworking to Andy Hooly's upcoming marriage to weather to faith and love and hope, and not once did anyone pull out a cellular device. There were no distractions, just honest heart to heart communication. What a joy. i can't tell you how uplifting these visits are for both me and Judy. Tonight, we're staying with Tom and Pat in their guest room. It's like an AirBandB except better because the price is right! Our yearly travels have included visiting these fine people on our way South and our way North. They never give us the impression we've overstayed, and again, if what we need in this world is love, the Hooley Clan is happy to oblige, which makes life good, especially today.

Boot Camp report: No alcohol, no exercise. A fair amount of excellent food.

 We've come to know many of the people who attend this church due to our helping one year as volunteers for their annual MCC sale.

 Tom popped this fresh corn, which I must tell you is like no corn you can buy in a supermarket.

 Our bed for the night.

 The powder room.

 Pat, our hostess.

Adventure 411: Fracless Day One

Look! No Ice!

After a brief stop to check on my Dad, George, we were off at nearly the stroke of eight. The temperature hovered around freezing, but the roads were bare, mostly wet, and we were able to keep pace at highway speed. To our surprise, we traversed Deadman's Pass under clear skies, nearly fifty degree temperature, light traffic, and nearly stress free driving. In fact, I must say I would describe my mood as ebullient. Thank you, Lord, for traveling mercies. We checked into our AirBandB without incident. It's a lovely space connected to a larger home. I really can't see why anyone would take lodging in an old fashioned road side hotel. We took a short drive to Tim and Carissa's home, which timed perfectly to a just fed, just changed, and completely happy little girl named Celia, who spent the next hour or so entertaining us with her cute baby tricks. Tim shared a bit of his finest bourbon with me, and like all creative types, we talked art: in this case wood art. Compared to Tim (or his father), I'm a neophyte, but since they are by nature gracious, unassuming, and consistently kind, they make me feel welcome in their world. Dr. Pereda (Carissa) came home from a full shift at the hospital. We chatted until it was time to get Celia ready for bed. Judy and I then found an exquisite Vietnamese restaurant where we enjoyed a steaming hot bowl of PHO. What a day. We're now snuggled nicely in our space awaiting the Gonzaga game. What more could we want? 

Now, as for Boot Camp. I didn't fare well on the no alcohol pledge, but the top shelf bourbon was very nice (Best excuse so far). I also exercised my right foot all day by repeatedly, pressing and releasing pressure on the gas or brake pedal. I got a little arm work in when I hugged Tim and Carissa, and of course, my Bunny. The only success I had in terms of pledges today was to abstain from sugar, which I must tell you, I would have consumed had there been any nearby. 

So, I guess Boot Camp is off to an excellent start. At any rate, life is good, especially today.

 We stopped in Baker City for a pretty good old fashioned burger. This sign reminds me that I've entered a space where I can only discuss the weather.

 Bunny heading back to our night's lodging.

 If the season was right, this pleasant Zen garden would be welcoming.

 The bed.

 The couch.

 The powder room.

 Our snacks.

 Papa Tim and his precious Celia.

 Celia looks ready to go camping.

 Bella, still a pampered member of the family, but no longer at the head of the list.

 Kai, even younger, shows his need for loving.

 Clearly, this one gets much of the attention.

 Thanks, Tim. This is very good sipping bourbon.

 Hey, look at my mom!

Adventure 410: Prelude to our Fracless Adventure

Get Ready to Spin

We leave tomorrow on our drive to Phoenix where we'll spend the next three months, hopefully warm and happy. It all began because of our extended trip this past fall which brought us home mid November. I thought it too late to drag the trailer South, so we decided to rent a Casita near downtown Phoenix. In a way, it's an experiment to see if we like staying in one place. While it's not yet imminent, our window for trailer travel does have a closing date. We just don't know when that is, but as my buddy, Ed Drouin says, "The world is our oyster", which basically means we get to do whatever we decide to do. Pretty cool work if you can get it. It only took us thirty years to find this job. So, for now, Plan A is to arrive in Phoenix on Monday, January 15 in the early afternoon for check in to our little casita. In the meantime, we've penciled stops at Boise, Filer, Honeyville, Park City, St. George, and Tucson before arriving in the Valley of the Sun. In those nine days, we'll see Tim, Carissa, and Celia Ulmen in Boise; Gary, Loey, Andy (Hopefully, Lisa), Sarah Hooley, along with Tom and Pat Losser in Filer; a nice warm soak at Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville; an overnight stay with my cousin, Douglas, in Park City, a couple of tourist days in St. George, and a weekend with David and Ginny Kral in Tucson. If all of this goes well in terms of traveling mercies, we'll be buoyed by the love of these good friends and filled to the top with positive energy by the time we get to Phoenix. Regardless, It sounds quite a bit better than slipping and sliding around in these freezing conditions here at home. Whatever happens, we'll still believe that life is good, especially today.

P.S. For me, Phoenix represents "Boot Camp". My goal is to become bicycle fit to the tune of 1,000 miles (Or More). I'm also going to willingly subject myself to the tenacious tutelage of my Bunny (However you define taskmaster), which basically means no alcohol, no obvious sugar, and a fleeting romance with carbohydrates. This Blog will report the gap between what I hope to accomplish and the reality of what my weak will really manages to muster. It will all be reported here, and on the days I fall short, I'll have believable excuses to offer. What fun!

Advnture 409: The Shadowy St. Joe

Mrs. Drouin's raking therapy

Three nights on the "Joe" with Ed and Deb Drouin: lounging, eating, hiking, berry picking, more lounging and more eating. Did I mention drinking. The weather was perfect, the company exquisite, and a good time was had by all. We arrived about three in the afternoon, and lucked into a prime spot in Cronrad's Crossing, which was great because there was a stage one fire restriction, which meant fires in established fire rings only. No fires allowed in rock rings. There are two other sites in lower Conrad. We found ourselves with company, but in a site that kept us removed from others. It was quite pleasant. Frac was parked on pavement that was nearly flat, and we had an expansive beach front. The surrounding trees provided shade throughout the day, although we picked huckleberries the first day, and took a hike the second. Our camp time came mostly in the form of cocktail hour before and during dinner. As is our custom, we were able to claim once again that "Life is truly good, especially today."

 Cocktail hour.

 Of course, the Wily Cager tried her tricks on me every morning.

 Mrs. Drouin had her ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

 And we ate well. This is poached egg in tomato sauce over crusty garlic bread. We suffered through huckleberry pancakes the next morning.

 The lounge.

 The view.

 The siesta.

 The camp babes.

 The artist at work.

 Mrs. Drouin serving a dinner of pork, corn salad, quinoa, and bread.

 We had to work off  last night's dinner.

 Quite a rugged and bushy trail that followed a creek.

 Extreme fire danger, though the beauty belies the concern.

 Fly fisherman heaven.

 Selfie of the day.

 Nature loving Drouins'

 My Bunny with her natural hair ornament.

 The girls.

 The cooking fire.

 Ham and bread for the chef salad.

Frac tucked neatly on the shadowy hill.