Ski Update and a few words about the project

The project first.  Not much going on other than occasional use.  We decided that since it is basically usable and legal to do so, we will hold off on putting additional money into it at this time.  We, like a lot of people are not exactly comfortable with the economy.   So we'll just continue working the real jobs, spending some r & r time here and work on it as I can with what materials we already have on hand.  Of course recreation gets priority over project work.  Shoulder seasons will be the prime project work time, you see.  Spring or mud season is about the only time I foresee that happening. 
So on with some of the winter fun, such as skiing photos.

The Crew.  We made our annual trek into Big Creek a couple of weeks ago.  It's a haul, but this year we were able to ski some slopes and slots that we have been eyeballing for the past three years.  It made the 2 days of transport worth it. 

We want to ski that shadow line right up there under the cornice.  See, right between the trees, center of photo.

And we'll ski that bowl up there, yes, yes, this is looking good.

Heading up.  Just another nice day for a walk.  Sun is out, air temp is great for the snow.  Pack full of water and food, yep, hard to beat it.  Oh, did I mention that there are no crowds.  4 people, counting myself and thousands of acres just waiting on us to take our pick.  Can't imagine why we do this. ;)

Ski Tracks.

Yes mission accomplished!  Tracks in the slot under the cornice.  Oh man was it ever fun!

Icicles on the tree, real ones.  First time I noticed them in the years of playing around, or I just forgot.  Who knows.  Would make a cool christmas tree ala natural.

Another day, another mountain to climb, another adventure.  Here we go headed to the top of Eldridge.  Wind was doing about 50 on top, so not much basking in the sun once we got there.

One of a million views.

The last day of adventuresome climbing, touring and some survival skiing.   No shots of the sking from me on this day.  Breakable crust, heavy pow at best and rock firm were the conditions, oh and wind blasted.  No complaints.  We had some of the finest snow and conditions ever on the first day.

So, way down there in the bottom is our starting point for this last day of adventure.

One of our ups on day one.

Really happy this is not our transportation.  Our snowmos work just fine, thank you.

It was a loooong day.

Thanks for leaving a little Jack Marianne.  I'm sure it's the bottle we left last summer.  :)

After a few loooooong days, nothing like the wood fired hot tub and a nip of Uncle Jack.

More stories to tell if I get to it.  This trip had a lot of fun and as one person phrased it maybe a stupeventure in it as well.  Sleds can be challenging or maybe just the guy trying to ride it.

see ya.

SP

Random Winter Fun

Last weekend first. 
I had the pleasure of guiding the wife and a couple of her friends on a hike along the Snake River Saturday. Well maybe guided is a bit much, as anyone can walk upriver and stumble upon virtually everything we have seen.
This is not far from where I grew up and not too long of a drive from the current residence. Celebration Park is more or less our starting point.  Wonder where they came up with that name?  The Railroad ran down this direction about a hundred years ago and the old bridge crossing the Snake is still there. Guffey bridge is the name I believe.  Although it is now a foot bridge.  Of course we refered to it as the railroad bridge. 
Onward, our objective was to find the intact stone house that I have seen numerous times while floating this strectch of river. 

Someone has told me that there are close to 40 stone foundations scattered along this stretch of the river.  We did see several without much effort.

Echo on patrol, waiting paitiently for me to come down the hill to the rest of the group.

The good old Snake River.

The crew, more dogs than people of course, all in front of the house.  Had to be a tad cool even with a door and windows, don't you think?  I suppose the rock will hold heat for a while after the fire went out.  Not sure I want to try it , but then if the rent is free and you don't need much it would work. 

And now we go back to what I truly like about winter, SNOW and skiing.

But first there are the views that keep me coming back for 16 hour days of recreating. 

Click on any of the photos to make them larger for your viewing pleasure.   :)

My friend Steve having a look at the scenery as well as where we'd like to ski next.

Ski tracks  :)

Yes you will have to click on the photo below to see the man on skis.  Eric S. doing the honors.

I've not had the camera with me much this winter so not a lot of shots.  Working on that.  Later I'll try to add some video.  But for now that's all.

Steve

Yep, it's winter.

Opening shot, of course is of main street Fairfield, Idaho USA.  I guess Christmas must be next on the holiday list, from the looks of the decorations, aye?

Too lazy to walk out front of the house for a better shot.  You get the idea.  It was a tad cool and there was a little breeze.  How unusual for this fair land.

Better view from the house.  Soon, very soon, I plan on being up there. 

Went up this weekend with the intention of doing lots of work. Things like, work on interior trim, cut and put up the soffit on the shed, air up the sled trailer tires, plow some snow if needed and go climb the hills at Soldier.

Air up the tires, check, plow snow, didn't need it yet, maybe next week.  The wind can be a plus when it sends the snow on across town or wherever it goes.  I did manage to take a couple of hours and climb up a little way at the local ski area (not open) just to get some exercise.

Not much else to report other than the kite people are out.  Snow is about a month ahead of last year.  That's good, very good.

Winter is coming

Winter is coming, but it is still fall.   With a storm coming in and showers predicted for the day, it was time to go hunt fall color.

One of the first things needed for a hike is a hiking stick.  Halle likes just about any stick from time to time.  Especially one that someone else shows interest in.  I had picked this one up and then put it down, that'll work.

Up the Trail.

Getting rained, sleeted and snowed on.  :)

Along the trail.

Cloud trees.

After the hike we took a quick drive down the South Fork to look for more color.  We turned around at the Boardman trail head bridge.

Then back to the house for a nap and some work on the jeep.  I purchased some parts for the winch and wanted to get it ready for the winter ahead.
After the nap the coluds broke and patches of sun came out for some great photos by Marianne.

.

There is snow on the mountains and more on the way over the next several days!

Click on the photo below to really see that snow!

On the way home we eye spied this small herd of elk in one of the fields along the highway.

Another nice weekend in a less busy part of Idaho.

Way lax on blogging

This is part of the reason for little to no work on the project or blog.  You see we decided that Marianne needed her own art work space besides halfway through the house here in Boise.  So due to the fact that the back yard is tiny, we decided to make it even smaller, sort of.  Now according to the city code, it is within code mind you, it is a storage building.  No more than 120 sq. feet., 7 feet in height from ground level to top of the walls, away from other bldgs. the required distance, ect.

Monkey in the window? 

So the story is, oldest son Jake did most of the framing and siding with my help and some help from other son Johhn.  I did the roofing, some of the wiring and most of the insulating.  Marianne did all of the painting to this point, except for the door.  I put the first coat of paint on it tonight.  The door has turned out as good as I could ever hope.  We bought it off of craigslist for 30 bucks, solid heavy wood frame, double pane glass, also heavy.  I cut off about 5 inches to get it to fit.  As you can see it swings out, Mariannes request, I have never built a door frame until this project.  Man did I get lucky, this baby is just about as perfect as can be.  With Mariannes help hanging it and  without any harm to either of us or the door, it fits and swings as good as any I've seen.

Lots more work to be done on this as we will be putting a miniture deck around it and raised garden boxes against the alley side, drip irrigation and so forth.  I have some fun design ideas to put in place with the deck and boxes to hide and utilize the blocks that are currently visible, but they won't be when we're finished.  I dare say it is nice to have a project right out the back door to work on versus driving  2 hours before starting work on it.  I'll post some other photos showing that it hasn't been all work on this and no play.

Later

sp