Escaping the Heat

Yesterday it got to 99 degrees in the valley. So we headed high up on the mountain to find some cooler air, and sure enough, at the trailhead at about 10,000 feet it was 70 degrees. Yeah! We started out on a hike towards the bristlecones with eight kids and two moms. 

Desert Boy hiked some on the way up, and two of his cousins were really helpful, guiding him over the rocky terrain.

We stopped to smell the flowers. They all learned that these Polemonium flowers smell like skunks!

The flower is pretty, but stinky.

The real excitement came when we reached a patch of snow.

The girls made snow angels,

while Desert Boy threw snow balls at them.

Up ahead, some of the older cousins had found a wonderful snow-covered hillside and were busy sliding down it.

You could get some good speed on the slippery slope.

They did it over and over again, enjoying the speed and the cold.

Amazingly, no one even got hurt!

Eventually we had to leave, and one of my nieces helped carry my camera back to the trail. I enjoyed looking at the photos she took on the way.

Happy cousins.

"I'll make a face because I want to."

Peace, rock glacier.

"I just ate something really tart."

The end of the hike ended with a snack--animal crackers dipped in Nutella. Everyone agreed that was the best snack ever in the entire universe.

Especially Desert Boy. He slept the whole way down, but he woke up for the snack. He wouldn't miss that for anything.

Second Crop

Life is hectic out here. The crews are busy putting up second crop of hay, which is looking much better than the first crop (which got rained on a lot).

Some cousins are visiting and we're spending lots of time swimming, hiking, and of course, the most important part of visiting: eating!!! In fact, I think I better get back to the kitchen. 

Desert Boy Counts

Desert Boy in the River

I was going through my photos and realized I had a set from our trip to Indiana that I still needed to post. On our last afternoon, we went to a park and after a picnic and playing, some of us decided to go on a hike. It didn't take Desert Boy to get a couple of his uncles and his aunt initiated to how he likes to hike.

The clothes came off and he was in the water! Not ever being in a river this big, Desert Boy was fascinated by the way the water moved, the sticks and rocks on the bottom, the deep and shallow places, and all the green vegetation.

It was a really hot day, so the uncles and aunt didn't seem to mind the detour down the river.

Some parts were a little deep, but the water wasn't moving fast.

We reached a good area to get out and get back on the trail, but everyone decided it would be a good idea to just stay in the river for awhile longer.

And a good thing we did, because Uncle Matt got to try out his talents as Tarzan.

The strong vine held his weight as he whished through the water...

...and gave his mighty jungle roar. All the animals quieted to listen to their king. 

Okay, not really, but we all had a fun time watching.

When we did head back, the muddy trail seemed like a real piece of cake compared to the adventure we had just had. Hiking with Desert Boy can certainly be an out-of-the-ordinary experience.

Enough to totally wear out an uncle.

The Steam Engine

While we were in Ely last weekend, we just had to stop over at the Nevada Northern Railway to look at the trains because a little someone is fascinated with choo-choos. They had Locomotive #93 running, and we watched it come back from a trip through the tunnels. 

It sure is impressive seeing that huge piece of steel operate and propel so much weight. The coal car is also an eye-opener.

The volunteers who run the train sure look like they enjoy it. They all dress up in appropriate clothing to make it feel like an old-time train experience.

The passenger cars make me want to jump on and take a trip across the country, to go places where the roads don't go.

And then there's the caboose, a great end to every train!

We'll be back to get on the train again before too long. A trip on the train is for kids of all ages!