near Sun Valley, Idaho
"It's not a vacation. It's a lifestyle."
-a complete misquote of what Jeff told Darl when she apologized for interrupting our vacation
Heading east
"It doesn't take long to get to the heartland!" Jeff said as he pointed the wheel toward the sun.
We encountered lots of open land and A LOT of Trump signs and flags on our journey to Idaho from Oregon, the land of a million Subarus.
We'd been having some exhaust noise that kept getting louder and louder. By the time we pulled into Cliff and Noli's driveway on Monday evening we sounded a lot like an overgrown jalopy.
Never fear! Jeff fixed the exhaust system while we were here. He journeyed to Napa auto parts at least 4 times and O-Reilly's auto parts a couple times as well.
This picture shows the lovely, carpeted center console removed so he can look at the engine. It gets real hot up there while we're driving. Now I know why.
This isn't the first thing he's fixed, by the way. He fixed a broken gauge. He fixed this horrible, incessant beeping alarm. A few cabinet latches that didn't open easily or didn't stay closed when we turned corners.
This adventure is not to be taken lightly, nor with someone who is afraid of fixing things. Basically, he drives and does repairs and I do any other kind of cleaning and organizing. We are both very happy with this arrangement.
The boys started their online-distance-learning-clusterfluff-of-a-school year.
Yawn.
We are parked in our friend's driveway for the week. It's rural Idaho so their driveway is 1/2 a mile long. Also, they are very nice about it. I think isolation has made people more happy to see us. (Did I already say that before? I keep thinking it over and over because everyone is so hospitable and wonderful to visit.)
After "school" was over, the boys found the go-cart and Jeff showed them all the necessary safety precautions. !!
Zane is having a better time with his friend who is more receptive to his sarcastic banter and video game explanations than Darla. There was a moment on the first day of school when Zane and I got into an argument because he wanted to go home. That was just frustration coming out at me because he couldn't throw his laptop I bet.
He does this funny thing where he says, "Today's adventure is brought to you by __________ and ___________" depending on what's going on with all of us.
On Declans birthday we had some anxious moments on a curvy road. That day was brought to you by Oreos and CBD oil.
If you're ever in Bellevue or Hailey, Idaho, be sure to stay at the Longhorse Ranch cabins. Cliff made the horse! and Noli has amazing style. She decorates all the cabins and takes care of reservations.
Their yard is also amazing. This is a hops vine growing like crazy! I'd never seen wild hops before. Have you? They are like little, soft, green pine cones.
We all went swimming and tubing in the Big Wood River just down the street.
Then one hot day Noli and I did an EPIC bike ride for TWO HOURS in the wind! from Ketchum back to Bellevue.
The thrift stores in Ketchum are ridiculous. I bought some ridiculous-over-the-top gold sunglasses at a consignment shop. I love Noli because she inspires me to be fancy. I inspire her to eat cheese.
My harvesting tour of America continued today when I saw this huge alfalfa (right? anyone?) field complete with 2 tractors and a gorgeous mountain backdrop.
You can't make this stuff up!
Spot the furry bee in the bee balm plant.
Then there's this mean-looking plant. It looks like a wreath the grinch would hang on his door. Or maybe place on the toilet seat.
People. This is the backyard* where we ate every night. It's paradise! And can you imagine in the winter when everything is snowy?
*Noli would want me to clarify that the cars and storage shed are on the neighbor's property. And neighbors, if you ever read this, MOVE YOUR DAMN JUNK!
This magical place is Silver Creek, one of the most loved fly-fishing spots in America.
I know there are a lot of photos in this post. It's too hard to choose!
To see the video of Jeff bringing in a big ol' fella, click this link https://photos.app.goo.gl/oDA9JD5tUXGXZ5SC6
Now he's on the internet seriously finding out if we can move here. I blame that fish he caught.
People always ask if I fly fish, as well.
I can think of nothing more tedious and stupid than hours spent tying flies and then standing on slimy rocks in freezing cold water! But I really enjoy the hunt of getting a great photo and I love hanging out around water, hiking or reading in my chair. I've also learned that Jeff really appreciates when I go to hang out around the river while he fishes. Guys are so weird like that. They don't need to talk about feelings and brush your hair. They just want to hang out and do their own thing.
In the same way he likes to know when a friend is in the audience for a show (even though he usually can't see the audience,) he likes when someone is around while he works in the garage or throws some line around in a creek.
My style is to always be doing things, moving things around. Busy work. Which is ridiculous, I know. But that's me. I admire how he just does what he loves to do and whoever else is around can join him or not. No pressure and no hard feelings either way.
Well, thanks for reading again.
love,
Nonni
PS- Of course I miss Darla. I can't even talk about it or I start to cry. DON'T ASK.