FOR PLAY...

...first find a gaggle of kids, a socialized animal preferably still in puppyhood, throw in a ball or a frisbee, turn on the water, let 'em loose in some wide open grassy spaces while the sun is shining, hear them squeal, watch them dance, hear them sing and make music -- do you remember having energy like this?  And not a care in the world?

Embrace the joy.  Enjoy the memories!

BEFORE AND AFTER...

NOW AND THEN

Seen at the used-to-be gold rush Town of Bonanza, Land of the Yankee Forks, Idaho

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--1.

Mt. Hood - Oregon

A Topless Mt. St. Helens swimming in a sea blue sky

(this Washington "monument" was taken from across the river in Hood River, Oregon)

WONDERING WOMAN

I wonder if this family has cell service.  I wonder how far away they have to go to retrieve mail.  Newspaper?  I wonder how far away their nearest neighbor lives.  I wonder if there's a school bus stop nearby.  Or perhaps the children are home schooled?  I wonder if the road to it is even paved.

I wonder what it would be like to live such a rural part of the state (Idaho).  Or perhaps this isn't truly "rural," but might actually be considered a classic wilderness existence -- with their very own grass-fed cows, of course.

(Yes, you'll probably have to click and enlarge to see what I'm talking about!!)

LEAH'S LEASH

 Hmmmmm -- wonder if I'll get in trouble.
QUICK!  She's gum banging instead of watching me!

AHHHHH!  That was a righteous time out

MARK TWAIN SAID...

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one's little corner of earth."

 

 

Taking Twain's admonishment seriously, our two-rig caravan took two weeks to explore most of Idaho's Scenic Byways.  We are most fortunate to live in "this little corner of the world" -- perhaps growing a teensy bit older, but certainly not "vegetating"!

 

TWO LEGGED

Surf's Up in Santa Cruz

NOT!

Especially not in January!

Can't find my GPS...isn't China just around the next bend?!