Boiling Springs

Kim and I managed to fit in one camping trip this summer and it was a lot of fun. We went to Boiling Springs with our daughter Vanessa and her boyfriend Chris.

You can see the steam off the hot springs in the early morning. Maybe that's why it's named Boiling Springs.




Here we are enjoying those hot springs.






We indulged in the usual camping activities.

Sitting around doing nothing;












































Taking some mini-hikes;















Seeing some butterflies and taking pics.

































































Smelling trees because Vanessa told us some of them smell like vanilla. (And some do!)

















For one of our dinners we made campfire meals. They were a big hit. In case you've never had them here's what you do.

Step One: Lay out some aluminum foil and put together your personal meal from a variety of foods such as potatoes, corn, peppers, onions, meats, cheese, tomatoes, etc. Add olive oil and seasonings to taste.
(I had par-boiled most of the veggies.)
















Step Two: Wrap them up nice and tight in 4 to 5 layers of foil.















Step Three: Arrange them around the campfire, turning occasionally.











Step Four: Play a few games of Blongo while they cook. (For about one hour.)

(This is a great game, especially since I could play it with one hand while still holding a glass of wine in the other.)









Then enjoy!





Great time.

Sawtooth Mountains; Backpacking, Flora and Fauna

My daughter Vanessa and I and our friend Steph recently spent four days backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness area here in Idaho.

There was the usual gorgeous scenery;

















But being a gardener I was equally impressed with all the beautiful wildflowers. We had timed our trip well for viewing the flora.

Look at this breathtaking Little Pipsissewa which was quietly posed beside our first campsite:














According to my wildflower guide book; "The genus name, from the Greek cheima ("winter") and philos ("loving"), refers to the evergreen nature of the plant. The common name Pipsissewa is believed to be derived from the Cree Indian word pipisisikweu, meaning "it breaks it into small pieces;" the plant was once used in preparations for breaking up kidney stones or gallstones."









A less friendly plant is the Elegant Camas;









Still lovely, but according to my guidebook; "Camases are among the most infamous western plants, poisoning many livestock, especially sheep. Indians and early settlers were also poisoned whenever they mistook the bulbs for those of edible species, such as the Camas Lily."














I didn't haul up my wildflower guidebook, I had enough to carry, but I was pretty sure this was heather when I saw it.



I believe it is Pink Mountain Heather which has a range from Alaska to northern California, Idaho and Colorado.

















I just love what I've always referred to as "Indian Paintbrush." This one must be Giant Red Paintbrush as opposed to Desert Paintbrush. It was everywhere and so gorgeous.








In this field of flowers you can see Sulfur Paintbrush also. From the guidebook; "Most Indian Paintbrushes are bright red; this is one of the few yellow ones. The large genus is found primarily in western North America."



















Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum) from the Buckwheat Family.


























Hooded Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) from the Orchid Family.

























Probably Sticky Aster (Machaeranthera bigelovii) from the Sunflower Family.
















I was constantly tempted to stop, kneel down, and take wildflower photos which is really very difficult with a pack on your back. Luckily I only fell down once as I was attempting this maneuver. But really, how could I resist?







We did manage to see a bit of "fauna" but not much;

























Vanessa and I, standing on top of a waterfall.
(Our packs are covered with ponchos because of the many thunderstorms we encountered.)







It was a good trip but it's always nice to be back home with toilets, electricity, running water and a real bed.