Up early the morning of Monday the 13th of Jan. to the smell of brewing coffee and the excitement of our trip to Sun Valley. After a nice breakfast and loading our things in the truck, making a few stops on our way, we were headed out of town. Bill had made reservations for the next two nights in the Ketchum/Sun Valley area. As he put it �Clarion Inn Ketchum for Monday 13/1 and Tuesday 14/1! Room has 1 person whirlpool in tub and fireplace!! Also Mountain View!! wooooooo hooooooo...hehehe oh yeah....king sized bed too!�. What a great trip this was going to be.
A little about the Sun Valley/Ketchum area.
Located in South Central Idaho, the Wood River Valley is located in Blaine County, at the edge of the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests; the majestic Sawtooth Wilderness is located immediately to the north. Almost surrounded by U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, the valley�s heart is the Big Wood River. Between the sagebrush and lava drylands to the south and the forested mountain ranges to the north, the valley has a mountain desert climate. With an average humidity of only 30%, and 15 inches of precipitation per year, the northern latitude creates long days, with 15 hours of sunshine in the summer. Dry sunny summers and mild sunny winters gave the resort community its well-deserved name. Average summer temperature is 78 degrees and average winter temperature is 23 degrees, with an annual snowfall of 150 inches. The cities of Sun Valley and Ketchum are at an altitude of 5,750 feet and are dwarfed by the ski mountain, Baldy, at 9,150 feet. The river valley slopes down to the cities of Hailey and Bellevue at 5,300 feet. Four large lakes in the Stanley Basin to the north and two large reservoirs to the south offer recreational opportunities. Hundreds of streams and alpine lakes can be found in the mountains and valleys surrounding the towns.
To learn more about Sun Valley and Ketchum try the link to the left.
Not needing to get there too early and Bill wanting to see the mountains, we decided to take the long way. The drive took us north-east out of Boise, up through the old mining town of Idaho City on Hwy 21, winding our way through the Boise National Forest, through the little town of Lowman and over the very snow covered Banner Summit Pass, which sits at an elevation of 7056 feet. Banner Summit had been closed for several weeks because of snow slides and had just opened 2 days before. I had been watching the road conditions and was somewhat leery of what we would find. We were very lucky to find the roads in pretty drivable condition, as long as we took it slow. The road up to Banner Summit was narrowed by the piles of snow from the plows and curved its way up and over the summit. Since we were not in any hurry, we took our time and enjoyed the scenery. Once over the top and down the other side, we were able to pick up a little speed, maybe as fast as 40mph. By the time we made it to the little town of Stanley, we both were in a real need to find a restroom. Now that was certainly a chore in its self. Everything we came upon seemed to be closed up for the winter. Finally we found a very small city library and asked to use theirs. I think I might own more books then this library does. We chatted with the gals there for a few minutes. Telling them of our trip and then thanked them and headed on our way again, snacking on veggies, meat and cheese along the way.
Turning southeast now, we headed toward the breath-taking site of Galena Summit. Galena Summit sits at mere 8701 feet and summer or winter is quiet a site to see. This is the first time I have been there in the winter and was amazed to see the amount of snow covering the viewpoint area. We stopped there for a snowball fight and some how I lost. I�m still not sure how that happened. I had snow in places snow had no business being. Bill thought it was quiet funny and laughed his head-off. Thank goodness my truck has a good heater. Driving down off the summit was just as beautiful as the drive up. Bill couldn�t resist stopping many times along the way to get pictures of the snow covered mountain scenes.
Somewhere around 4:00 pm we finally pull into the town of Ketchum and found the Clarion Inn. We took just enough time to bring up our luggage, then headed out to find a place Bill could rent some skis. We stopped in one shop and were advised to check down the street at another, which we did. Bill was able to find just what he was looking for and after filling out the needed forms, had the skis under arm ready to find out where the ski lodge and lifts were. This took us all of about 15 minutes since the town is so small and after making some tentative plans for the next morning, headed back to the Inn. By then, we were both ready to find a decent meal, so we headed off on foot to what we hoped was an authentic Mexican restaurant. Hummmmmm is the best we could say about it. They did have a Mexican dishwasher there, but that was it. By now, it was getting dark and with the sun almost down, so was the temperature. We were sure glad we were only a few blocks from the Inn, because it was getting pretty chilly. Did I hear something about a fireplace? Yes I did. We lit the fire and with Bill�s arms wrapped around me, stood by the window of our second floor room and gazed out at the beautiful snow covered mountains. What a beautiful site that was. What a wonderful day this had been. What better way to bring it to an end, but by snuggling up with each other and sharing the warm light of the fire, then falling asleep in each other�s arms.
Tuesday morning finds us back on the street looking for a place to eat a warm breakfast. We decided to give the Rustic Moose Restaurant a try. It was just a short distance from the Inn, so we walked along the road edge to it. Hot coffee and pleasant service awaited us there and the food was pretty good too. Once back to the Inn, Bill gathered up his ski gear and loaded it in my truck. I have never tried skiing so I just planned on wandering around the shops and art galleries while Bill enjoyed his skiing. So off he goes for a morning of skiing and off I go wandering through the shops and galleries. I am not sure which one of us enjoyed our morning the most. I had been putting in long hours at work and was in a real need of some time to myself. This was perfect, I didn�t have to think about what I should be doing around the house, nor did I have to worry about deadlines at work. I could just relax and take in the sites.
I have been through the Sun Valley, Ketchum area several times before, but this was this first time I was able to just wander around and look in the shops. I found a wonderful art gallery featuring the award winning nature photography of Thomas D. Mangelsen. There was a very impressive photograph taken of the Redwoods in California that brought tears to my eyes. It so reminded me of my childhood and my grandmother. I decided right there and then that if Bill does come back a visit, I was going to take him to the Redwoods. About 11:00, I decided that it was about the time Bill would be getting done skiing, so I walked the 6 or so blocks to the ski lodge and found a table on the patio where I could see him skiing off the mountain. I didn�t have to wait more than about 15 minutes when here he came. He was all bundled up in his ski garb and smiling from ear to ear. It was so cool for me to be able to have been the one to take him to one of the most famous ski resorts in the US. The look on his face as he removed his hat was worth a million dollars, such exuberance. I am so glad I decided to meet him there to see his expression. Plus I got the biggest hug and icy lipped kiss, hummmm what a treat. Bill had had a wonderful time and was ready to get out of his ski boots and find something to eat. Walking hand in hand back to my parked truck, I listened to him tell me of the spectacular sites from the top of the world. His first experience with skiing powder filled bowls and how different it is here compared to the east. I had no way of relating what he was saying, but I didn�t care, it was just so wonderful to be part of his experience.
Driving back to the hotel to allow Bill to change and plop on the bed for a bit, then snacking on some sausage and cheese, and left over veggies from the trip we enjoyed each other�s company and the excitement of being in Sun Valley, Idaho. Once Bill was somewhat rested, we headed off on foot to explore the rest of the town. I showed him a wonderful art gallery I found and wandered around some antique shops. Played with the cutest Cocker Spaniel pup and almost convinced the owner to give him to me. By this time it was just starting to get dark and we were both ready to find some real food. We strolled up one side of the street reading the menus posted outside then down the other, before we decide on the one a gal in one of the shops suggested. It was a real rustic looking place and we were given a table off to the side. We shared some more of our mornings experiences and talked of things we liked to do. It was amazing how much we have in common, like our enjoyment of the outdoors, gardening, fishing and going to fairs and festivals.
Back in the room, Bill was quick to check out the hot tub. His thighs were sore from skiing and it was very inviting. Since it was a tub built for one, I left him to soak, while I started a fire and stood gazing out the window, watching the happenings on the street below. Sneaking a peak once in a while..hehehe. After what seemed like forever, the very relaxed and sleepy snowman wanders out of the tub room and wraps his arms around me. Mmmmmm was that ever nice. We stood by the window for a bit and enjoyed the view, then snuggled up in bed to enjoy each other.
The morning of the Wednesday the 15th finds us back at Rustic Moose for breakfast and a few cups of hot coffee. We discussed the plans for the day and decided to meet around noon. I was not sure where I would be, so I told him to just come back to the Inn and I would find him. After Bill left for his second morning of skiing, I left to wander through a few more shops and art galleries. There were several I had not seen so I didn�t think I would have much trouble occupying my time. The night before, Bill and I had browsed though a bookstore and Bill was thumbing through a 100-year anniversary book on Harley Davidson�s. I just had to buy it for him since he was getting a Harley in a few months. So after wandering through a few other shops and stopping off for a cup of espresso, I went back to the bookstore and bought it for him. I wanted to surprise him with it, so I walked the several blocks to the ski lodge and found my truck. Using my hidden key to unlocked the door, I laid the book on the drivers seat so it would be the first thing he would see. Then back up to town to find a comfortable bench to read the new book I bought me. About a block for the Inn was a small courtyard area piled high with snow, but I did manage for find a park bench on the sidewalk by the roads edge. I made myself comfortable and enjoying the sites and sounds, found myself quickly engrossed in my book. Not more than half an hour went by before I spotted my truck coming up the street. Bill spotted me and pulled up along side the curb and jumped out to greet me. He had a very pleased look and his face and bent down and gave me a BIG hug with one arm, his other was behind his back, hummmm, what was he up to now. He thanked me for the wonderful book and the wonderful surprise and then handed me a bag. What was this? A book!!!! The one I had been eyeballing the night before at the same shop. It was the Frontier by Louis L�Amour, hard bond and full of breathtaking photographs for the US. Bill had seen me eyeballing it and decided to surprise me as I had surprised him. Great minds think alike. Bill joined me on the bench for a few minutes to tell me all about his morning. I shared mine with him and asked it he wanted to wander through this wonderful art gallery I had found. He did but not until after we found some lunch. We had already checked out of the Inn and were going to be heading out of town shortly. I directed Bill to the area of the gallery and we found what looked to be a promising caf�. What a wonderful place it was too. We both enjoyed our sandwiches and decided that this must be the best place in town to eat, vowing to remember it so we can be sure to come back the next time we came to town. It sure tickled me to even consider the though of being able to make another trip to Sun Valley with Bill. Just the thought of him thinking that he would be coming back for another visit was almost more than I could contain. Wow.
We found the R C Hink Gallery open and wandered in to see the watercolors of Lynn Toneri. The artist, Lynn Toneri herself was working there today and we chatted with her and discussed our favorite pictures. Mine of course was a watercolor of a very colorful rooster, called �Anther Magnificent Cock�. I asked for a flyer on it and was determined to order it at a later date. Time was running late and we had several hours ahead of us, so we found our way back to the truck and headed out of town, south on Hwy 75 toward Twin Falls. I wanted to complete our trip with a quick tour of the Snake River Canyon, the place that Evil Knivel attempted his jump, by the Shoshone Water fall and along Hwy 30 through the Hagerman Valley. It was so fun, watching Bill take in the sites of nothingness. Lava rock and sagebrush was all there was to see, until we came to the hole in the ground, called the Snake River Canyon. Parking the truck and climbing out, we walked down the steps to the viewpoint under the bridge. I do have to admit that is was very beautiful site to see. It had been ten years since I lived in Twin Falls and I forgot how much I loved this place. Bill took a few pictures and then we made our way back up the steps and to the warmth of the truck. I think the temperature was around 30, but the wind was blowing making it feel colder. We drove on over the bridge and into the town of Twin Falls. I showed Bill were I used to work and where I once lived, before heading out the east side of town to the Shoshone Falls. The Shoshone Falls is quiet a site to see in the middle of spring run off, but it was still a nice view in the middle of January. We huffed it up the side of the hill and out over the old road to an outcropping I liked to view the falls from. I think Bill was ready to kill me when we made it to the top and he realized that there was a much easier route up the old road�hehehe. I got a chuckle out of it. Okay I laughed my head off, promising him we would take the easier route back down.
Once back in the truck, we headed west on Hwy 30 out of Twin Falls through Buhl and the Hagerman Valley. The road took us through the bottom of the canyon and up the other side, cresting at the has-been town of Bliss, to join up with I84 and northwest to Boise. The remaining trip took us about an hour and a half and Bill exhausted from the busy day, dosed off and on. I enjoyed just being there with him, smiling to myself, thankful to have found such a special man like him.
