Yesterday was the epitome of a day of adventure. I loved everything about the day.
We started off with Balin choosing a stunning hike. 10 miles for me and a bit more for him. Over the years we have come to a beneficial way of going hiking; we started off on the same trail with him running and I walking. When he is sufficiently satiated with exercise he turns around and finds me and we continue walking until I am ready to turn around. Kind of like a dog who runs a trail and gets double the mileage - it’s been a game changer for our outdoor adventures.
So Balin made it to Sawtooth lake and then came down a couple of miles and made it to Sawtooth lake for a second time that day. The weather was perfect, cold but sunny. Piper was along for the hike and was so enthusiastic her tail didn’t drop once. Granted she could barely wiggle once we got back to the trailer but I think the adventure was worth it.
Upon getting home, Balin was ready to settle into our routines, but I mentioned perhaps we should go to a hot spring, as there are many in the area. We both are so used to the people we travel with (the children of the past) wanting to stay “home” so we generally don’t go out. But baby, those people are out on their own adventure and we need to learn some new ways of living. A little giddy, we suited up, grabbed our towels and flip flops and drove another 20 minutes to the Salmon river. Along the side of the road is a thermal spring that heads into the river. Over the years people have gathered rocks to pool the hot water next to the freezing river water. It was amazing! Even better we met two fellow soakers and proceeded to have a compelling conversation. The woman was from Boston and in the area to do research for writing a book on the current movement in dam removal. The other fellow in the pool was Brian Cluen, an expert geologist on dam removal. It was a beautiful conversation on life, politics, geology, and a bit of Wendell Berry thrown in. Seriously living my dream here. As a local, he threw in some local recommendations, as long as I kept them secret.
Heading south today to Boise, with a little stop in Galena for a bike ride. Tonight’s destination: unknown.
Here’s a video of our time in Stanley.
https://youtu.be/SAh--UTiDSA?si=6ARHW4kfGxvIy_na
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