The adventure of a lifetime

What kind of blog post can possibly live up to the title I've given this one? And yet it's true. The week I spent with my son on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River was one of the pinnacle experiences of my life. There are many kinds of pinnacle experiences--- some personal, some spiritual, some physical, and some having to do with relationships. Floating the Middle Fork was a peak physical experience.

Each of the five days we spent on the river was full of thrilling moments, contemplative time, and amazing vistas. I wish I could post pictures of the amazing things we saw and did. Sadly, my best camera is not exactly waterproof. Heck, it's not even water-resistant. I took my little waterproof (to 10 ft) point and shoot, but the pictures don't begin to do justice to the ride.

Still and all, you can see, for example, in this picture, that in one spot we got to sit to some hot springs with a breathtaking view of the river below. I don't image that there are many hot-tubs on the planet with a view like this one.

After getting drenched a few times by the fairly frigid river water, you can imagine how delightful it was to "shower" in this warm water. Wow!

The food was surprisingly good (and we didn't have to cook-- the river guides did all the cooking). The company was excellent (friends and acquaintances from church). The outdoor air was literally delicious.

By the end of the week I was looking forward to showering with soap (no soap in the river!!) and definitely ready to see my wife, but I was also a little sad to be leaving that amazing place.  What a week!

River trip here we come

Headed for 5 days on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. 


Don't forget to go to Rocket Express Car Wash in Twin Falls on July 11th or 12th! Half the proceeds go to benefit the Snake River Council of the BSA!

The Sweetwater

Sweetwater River, near Martin's Cove, Wyoming

As many of you will have seen from others of my postings here or elsewhere, our LDS stake took more than 250 youth to the high plains of Wyoming for a reenactment of part of the Mormon migration.

This is the Sweetwater River, which some of the Mormon pioneers had to cross in frigid, numbing conditions. It was a difficult crossing, to say the least, and was, in fact, too much for some of them.

The conditions under which we visited the place (Martin's Cove) were much more favorable, of course, but the stunning beauty of that wild landscape was still something to behold. I was touched deeply in more ways than one.