Idaho Trip

We spent our first week of August in Twin Falls, Idaho, visiting my Mom and also my sister's family.

Dar and Tom are great hosts.  Rusty and I felt very welcome in their home.  We had fabulous meals every evening, mostly outside on their large patio.  We were entertained by many birds, including the quail, orioles, and humming birds.  "Rosary the cat" also joined us.  She is a very pretty Siamese cat that someone abandoned.  She feels right at home with the Wagners, especially since she now has her own food bowl that is filled regularly.

Mom, Dar and me.

The air in Twin Falls is warm and arid throughout most of the summer.  The terrain is desert-like, but the Snake River Canyon makes a remarkable impression as it wanders along the north edge of town.

Sunset from the Wagner home.

We had lots of fun telling stories and looking at old pictures.

Dar's and Tom's oldest daughter, Kelly, lives with her husband in Japan.  Kelly and her two children were visiting while we were there.

Emmy, sits on Great Grandma's lap.

Quinn takes a turn on Great Grandma's lap.

One evening, Kelly cooked a Japanese meal for us.  There were three courses and the entire meal was accompanied by sake.  I wish I could remember the names of the foods, but they were all delicious.

preparing the dinner

The sake had the same name as the sake presented to Obama during the visit with Emperor Akihito.

...a toast to Kaz in Japan, since he was unable to be with us.

We went on a hike around Dierke's Lake.  There are hidden lakes here where people do scuba diving and cliff jumps.  (We didn't try either.)

Mom lives at Bridgeview Estates.  The trail along the Snake River Canyon is right outside her back door.  We joined her one morning for her walk.

Mom and Dar

Mom's abode has view of the Perrine Bridge, hence the name Bridgeview.

This bridge is 1,500 feet long and 486 feet above the Snake River.  Base jumpers love to come here!  It takes them less than 30 seconds to float to the bottom and over an hour to climb back out.

 3 jumpers headed up to the bridge

There are many beautiful views of this canyon.

We played a little pool in the evenings (before heading outside to the hot tub).

Even Mom got in on the action!

It was a lovely visit. The best part was just being with family.

Mom, Dar, and Kelly

Mom, Dar, and Emmy

"Dangrad" and Quinn

Today is my birthday.  I learned:

• I share a birthday with Jim Keck, our head minister
• Nathan Ames patented the first escalator on this day in 1859.  The patent was eventually acquired by Otis elevator, who built the first escalator.
• Sadly, the Ferguson, MO shooting also happened on this day one year ago.

One year ago I also had all of my family with me in Saratoga, NY, FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK!

Thanks Fishers and Caviezels for making this dream come true!