Idaho - Road Trip

One day, while we were in Idaho, we went on a road trip.  We passed this little, one lane bridge that crossed the river to Gardenia, Idaho.  I couldn't just drive by, so we drove across this little (seriously - it's little) bridge into Gardenia.  There are two houses in Gardenia.  Really, just the two.  And the road ends between them - it's dirt already but it just sort of ends.  Dena says it goes on, but what I saw going on wasn't a road - it was a path.

 We saw lots of signs.  I guess they need to know where Game is allowed to cross the road.

And where the open range starts - as opposed to the closed range?

 No idea what the heck this means, but I was very cautious after I saw it.

 And we saw this giant mountain goat . . . 

Really.  It's giant.

 But the scenery was gorgeous.

 We had lunch at Gramma's in Cascade, Idaho and left with two cups, one for That Girl and the other for Gramma.

And we saw Tackle Tom's which I thought was cool - nice sign and Dena has a son named Thomas.

 I drove.  I drove Fred's car.  I didn't go on any dirt roads this particular day.  But you have to remember, Fred told Dena she couldn't drive on any dirt roads - he never said anything about that to me.

 We visited the small town of Sweet, Idaho.

 With it's very small post office.  There are several post offices that are about this size in Idaho.  There are no post offices this small in Georgia and this wouldn't handle one person's mail in Atlanta.

Sweet was named for the sweet water that comes from it's natural spring.  And yes, I tasted it and it really is sweet.

And it flows into the prettiest little trough.

Teresa

Idaho Wine Country

 I love how the snow sticks to just part of the post and sign.

This is Idaho Wine country - just gorgeous, isn't it?

This is the Sawtooth Winery - one of my favorite.  Dena says I should broaden my horizons and visit some new wineries but I don't see why when I have several that I really love so much.

 This is also Idaho wine country.  Miles from anything - even paved roads.

This is the 3 Horse Ranch Wine Tasting Room - another terrific Idaho wine.

See?  Miles from anything - lots and lots of sage brush and a dirt road.

 Gorgeous vistas.

 And a lovely winery.

 Something for everyone!

And, Dena didn't drive on a single dirt road - she's not allowed to drive on dirt roads and there are a lot of them out there.  See?  She didn't drive on any dirt roads.

Lest you think I just tasted and did not buy - that is 38 bottles of wine sitting in my garage.  There were more, but we already drank a bunch of them.  There is another case being shipped out this week.  You'll notice that the whites are on the right and the reds are on the left (with two lonely pinks in the middle).  I drink white, he drinks red.  He got a LOT more wine than I did.  But, the wine club I joined at Ste. Chapelle requires me to buy another case . . . and they have some lovely white wines and shipping is cheap.

And this is a man and his dog.  

Teresa

Idaho - 'nother day

See through those trees?

 This is Terry.  He lives two doors down from Dena.  He has horses and he likes to ride 'em.  He also likes to share them with friends.

 Everytime we visit, he comes down and asks if That Other Girl wants to come out and ride.  She always wants to and she always rides.

 Terry makes her pose for Mom's camera, even if she complains.  I like that about him.  I like pictures of everything and rarely get them of this child.

Do you know what happens when you call alpaca?

 They run as fast as they can toward you (or is it toward the food?).

On this particular day, we had the brilliant idea of splitting the girls off and moving them to the front pasture where there is more fresh green grass.

 We figured the nursing (and possibly pregnant) mama needed more to eat.

 And we figured the other girls could use the extra too - they aren't nearly as friendly as the boys and as a result aren't nearly as fat.

Moving them meant a lot of running around and chasing animals.  I'm proud to say that I caught (yes, in my arms) at least three alpaca and moved them from one pasture to the other.

 Then the girls in the front pasture cried and cried until we moved a boy in with them.  That fawn colored paca is Polo and he cried and cried until he got moved into the girl pasture.

Dena also has attack ducks.  The boy (standing) chased me every time I went outside - likes to nibble the backs of your ankles as you walk.  Good thing it doesn't hurt or he'd have gotten a good swift kick in the beak.

Teresa

Idaho Visit - Llamas

 The two critters on the right of this photo are llamas and the rest are alpaca.  The critter in the center is That Other Girl's baby llama - Dai.

This is a better shot of Dai.  She's about the same size as the alpaca, but very much still a baby.  She eats some hay, but is always behind mama and always protected by mama.

 Check out the close up of that fleece.  Yes, it is every bit as soft as it looks.  Kid llama - is that what you call it?

 That Other Girl having way too much fun feeding the alpacas - well, really only the mama llama Tanna is getting any of those pellets!

 Gramma came out to watch and help.  

 Both the girl and gramma seemed to be having fun.  The alpaca were certainly enjoying it thoroughly!

One more shot of Tanna and Dai - the two herd llamas.

Dena and I visited this winery - Ste. Chapelle.  It's my favorite and I fully intend to visit it and taste their wine every time I visit Idaho - whether Dena likes it or not.

There was playtime with the dogs . . .

 and with the crazy cousin . . .

See?  He really is crazy.

And many knitting books came home with me.

Teresa

Playing Catch Up

I'm going to have to figure out what I have knit and not posted.  This is going to be the Tin Man's heart in The Wiz - being put on by my daughter's school soon.  I love the way Noro yarn changes colors.  For this one I just used my Little Hearts pattern but kept on knitting till it was the size I wanted before I split for the tops.

This is going to be the Fenna shawl from  Stahman's Shawls and Scarves by Myrna Stahman.  This lovely yarn is Royal Platinum Lace by Royal Fiber Spinnery.  It's pure Alpaca and so soft and lovely when knit.  I'm trying to determine which size needle to use - the first and widest bit was knit with a 7, the middle bit with an 8 and the narrowest bit with a 9.  I think the 7 part is too stiff, love the drape of the 8 and think that the 9 is lacier but I'm not in love with it.  I think we will be using the 8.  I can't cast this on just yet because I have mom's Gemma almost done and have a special request to finish this week as well.  But I am looking forward to knitting this soft stuff.

Teresa