Craters of the Moon Lunarlike Exploration

After spending two nights with friends Starr and Cross in Blackfoot, ID, we headed up to Crater's of the Moon National Monument.

The road was officially closed about .5 miles in, making it more otherworldly than it might otherwise be.

There was just a light dusting of snow on the ground and we went for a beautiful hike.

Some of the rock was quite red.  You could imagine the lava flowing through this area.

We hiked up and over a small hill to check out a short crater hike.

It was quite cold with the wind whipping around but also quite pretty.

Amy and Analise were happy to stretch there legs after the drive.

The ground we were hiking over was full of surprises and combinations of colors both rough and smooth.

There were large holes and caves around as well as boulders.

It was really fun checking it out as we hiked around the loop.

We stuck to the trail and could imagine lava bubbling and flowing.

The few trees that survived were gnarled and fossil like.

The roots were preserved.

We admired the large lava rocks jutting out next to us.

We took a little break and tried not to blow away.

Analise lost a glove, but I was able to carefully retrieve it.

This rock reminded me of a science experiment, it looks like hardened ash in the process of erupting.

The smooth blue rock was really neat.

We headed back to the visitor's center to have some lunch before continuing our drive toward Harriman State Park.

Family Journey to Blackfoot Idaho

Mom- We set off on a family adventure to travel 1500 miles, visit friends along the way, and explore some amazing places.  Our first evening was spent in La Grande, OR

Amy-  At Donna's we roasted s'mores.

Mom-  It was great to visit friends in their beautiful Eastern Oregon home at the foot of the Wallowas and enjoy a fire with them.

Mom-  On Sunday, we drove 7 hours from La Grande, OR to Blackfoot, ID.  Along the way we tried to find the Birds of Prey refuge but ended up driving to the wrong section and just enjoyed the vast farmland and distant mountains.  We continued our drive and finally got our walk in about an hour from Blackfoot at Massacre Rock State Park.

Mom- The Snake River and Eastern Idaho rock and plants were fun to explore.

Amy-  Dad came on this trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom-  We saw really pretty rocks that looked like they were homes for animals.  We had a nice view of the river from the top of the trail.

Amy-  The windmill has a lot of air.  I know that because it spins round and round a lot.

Mom-  We had a beautiful view of the ever growing mountains and really enjoyed our short hike in this lovely park.

Mom- The rocks were volcanic from an early eruption in this area.

Mom-  We saw a few bunnies and were watching for snakes.  It was a fun little hike which we all needed after 6 hours of driving.

Mom-  We were excited to see our friends in Blackfoot, ID after a long day of driving.  They have a great backyard!

Amy- Analise hoed the sand under a broken swing.

Mom-  We visited the "famous" potato museum in Blackfoot and learned about growing and processing potatoes.

Amy- Ha ha he he !  Sorry but the potato heads are so funny!

Mom-  I thought the fancy clothes made out of potato sacks were very cool!

Amy- We had fun with the dogs (Gizmo and Zelda)

Amy-  They had a sprinkler.

Amy-We had fun with Gizmo and Zelda.

Amy-  Analise  was drumming!

Mud, waves, sand, and sunshine

Mom- It was unseasonably warm and sunny in early Feb 2015.  We headed to the coast to take in the view and enjoy the sunshine.  This short hike in Ecola State Park starts on the bluff and climbs down through thick mud to the beach.
Amy-There was a couple of good views of the ocean.

Amy-  My sister Analise walked part of the way.

Amy-  This is another great ocean view.

Mom-  We gazed at the ocean from the bluff and enjoyed the sound and sight of the waves crashing against the rocks.  Analise was very determined to walk.

Mom-  It was so good to be on this trail and get the luxury of hiking and beach all in one adventure!

Mom- Sarah found a heart stump.  The girls found some great hollow stumps to play in.  Then the going got VERY muddy.

Amy-  This view is blocked by tree branches.

Amy-  On the hike I found a tree bed.  I took a nap.

Amy-  Analise and I stood in a hollow spot in the tree bed

Amy-  Analise and I found a tree playhouse with a couple of hollow spaces to climb in and out of .  it was funnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.   SUPER FUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Amy-  The ocean view!

Mom- Analise and I found a pretty little snail on a piece of wood along our muddy route.

Amy-  I got soked

Amy-  Analise had a lot of fun!
Mom- When Analise and I got to the beach after walking through knee deep mud, Amy had gone out to the ocean with my friend Sarah and tripped running away from a wave.  Fortunately it was a warm day!  I was able to keep Analise out of the water through some minor miracle.  Usually Amy is the careful one and Analise would be the one getting soaked.

Mom-  We got to spend time on the beach enjoying the view of the rocks.  There were a few surfers braving the cold February surf.

Mom-  Analise loved playing in the sand and pushed her limit toward the ocean as far as I would let her go.

Amy- We made a giraffe castlel
Mom- Amy was the sand castle creator and Analise was the demolition crew.

Mom- Amy found a tree to hang out in.

Mom-  We enjoyed the ocean views on the hike back.

Mom-  What a lovely muddy woods and ocean kind of day!

Mom- At first glance I thought I saw a cow, but closer observation revealed a moose.

Mom- Analise rode in the backpack for the trip up the trail through the mud.

Mom- This hike was a serious February treat.