Sun in Sun Valley
Very finally, we had a weekend of sun in Ketchum. It even felt a bit like spring (shh, don’t tell anyone – don’t want to jinx it). To celebrate such an overdue event of weather, Mike and I spent most of our days out and about.
Saturday began with a bit of griping about the extreme disorder of my apartment. But what kind of fun is that for a Saturday? I quickly abandoned this insignificant fact and headed north to the access to Boulder Basin. North of Ketchum, headed towards Galena Lodge, is still pretty snow covered. I hypothesized (and was correct) that the lower lying areas would be free of snow and a good place to stretch some legs – human and dog alike. In the summer you can hike right up into the Basin, which is a mix of alpine lakes and an abandoned mining town. Boulder Basin is one of those places that I want to love – but the access to it is so painful that it negates the beauty that lives there. Boulder Basin is a playground for ATV’s, dirt bikes, and Jeepers in the summer. Ever hiked for hours on end on a Jeep trail? Yeah, you get the feeling.
Today was a late start, because last night Mike and I ran into some friends and went on a little bender. However, after a delicious breakfast at Papa Hemi’s Hideaway this morning, we headed to Parker Gulch – an old mining area off of Elkhorn (Silver Queen mines). It felt awesome to be hiking on a real trail – not a road – and we were able to get into some elevation before large snowfields thwarted our plans of the summit. Oh well. I’ll make the summit another day. The ground squirrels are just appearing (and are quite fat from a winter underground), and Lemhi thoroughly enjoyed chasing them non-stop all day long. He’s now looking a bit sleepy himself.
Finally, I’m starting a new photography/design project. Sneak preview is in one of these pictures, can you guess which?
P/S – Apartment did get cleaned…it’s more of a Sunday night activity. It’s spotless. Happy Mother’s Day!
Boulder Basin Panorama from access road
Trees in this Valley grow on north-facing slopes. Sagebrush grows on south-facing slopes. In the background is Baldy, the Baldy Bowls, and Seattle Ridge.
We are embarrassingly wearing matching hats. You can vomit in your mouth a little bit. I would.
Life is a little dry...
