Getting out and about

Things have been a little crazy with my job.  I work for a public University in Idaho.  Idaho is not exactly well know for funding its educational institutions.  (That being said, since we were never very well funded to begin with they haven't been able to cut as much as other public universities are cutting.)  Unfortunately, we've had to the work with quite a few less people, and as the manager this makes my job pretty stressful.  So a we or so ago, I just had to get out.  Needed to get away from computers, desks, people, emails, etc.  We went for a few little hikes.

First we drove just a few miles away to Klemgard Park.  I've seen the signs for it on the highway, but didn't know anything about it.  Off we went.  The park sits partly in a little valley, with a play area, a large picnic area and a creek running through.  Then the back part of it goes up the side of the hill towards the wheat fields.  Its a nice little hike up the hill, kind of a wooded hillside, then when you get to the top you are greeted by a wheat field.  

This is me at the top of the hike in the wheat field.  

Not the best picture, but I like the contrast of the pine trees and the wheat field.  

Saturday morning I was still pretty restless, so we headed out again, but this time to Kamiak Butte. Between Pullman and Palouse, WA Kamiak Butte rises up off the rolling hills of the Palouse and offers AMAZING views.  After a nice 1/2 mile of switch backs we came to the top of the ridge, and then sat there for a good half hour taking it all in.  

 I think this is looking towards Moscow, ID (its kind of hard to tell)

 Looking Southwest out into the fields of the Palouse.

 

My brother, Ryan, and I with the Palouse in the background.

This is also Ryan and I but with the rest of Kamiak Butte in the back ground, and just off to the left of the picture you can see the fields of the Palouse to the south west of the butte. 

And a not so lovely picture of me sitting up on a rock taking it all in.  

I love the fact that both of these little hikes are less than 15 minutes from my house.  I sure miss the rivers back in the Auburn area, but there are things I love about living here!  

Exploring Idaho!

We've been in Idaho now for about 2 1/2 years, we've done some exploring, but there is a lot more to do. My mom, brother, Mike and I went for a long hike to see Elk Creek Falls. It's about an hour drive from home, but just a beautiful drive getting there even.

We started at Mom's house with a super yummy breakfast of biscuits & gravy. My mom makes the most fantastic breakfasts, but generally you are ready to go back to bed after eating them. But we said "Nope, we are going hiking!"

There are three falls, Upper, Mid & Lower. We hiked out to the Upper Falls first. Mike and Ryan did a little fishing. Ryan caught a rainbow trout that was a keeper, and Mike caught a little brook trout he released back into the water. Then, he caught a nice sized rainbow, but when he went to grab it off the line the fish got away. If I hadn't seen it myself I would have considered just a fish tale, but it was the big fish that got away!

We then hiked down to the middle falls, which were amazing. You can see all the columnar basalt that is part of the Columbia River Basin. The falls are about 90 feet and were just so amazing to see. We then followed a little 'goat trail' up to the viewing area as we had kind of hiked a little off trail to get closer.


-above is a far away shot from the viewing area

- a closer picture

The little 'goat trail' we hiked.

Then we hiked down to the last falls, Lower Falls. The rainbow on the Lower Falls was so pretty! Below is a picture of the Lower Falls, it was a great day, and boy was I sore from the mile+ hike of the canyon, but I would love to do it again!