On Wednesday (8/8), we headed up to the pool with plans for biking and running. Corb biked up while I drove up with the kids. We swam for a couple of hours until Susy arrived with Ann and Tim. Corb watched all the kids at the pool, while Susy and I went for a trail run. I have really wanted to check out the new Lightning Ridge trails - it was worth the wait and the slight fear of bears! The trail is in great condition - pleasant running and fabulous views without the tough climb needed to get to the top of Fred's Mt (where the Targhee Dreamcatcher chairlift goes). Wednesday evening, we all (our family and Susy's) headed down to Teton Springs to hear the Miller Sisters perform. The kids had fun with friends and I got to catch up a bit with Tammy. Corb and I took the kids to the Brakeman for a later dinner afterward. The Brakeman was crowded, so when warned that service might be slow, we got a deck of cards and played an awesome - epic :-) - family game of Crazy 8's! The burgers were, as always, worth the wait.
On Thursday afternoon, I floated the river with Karee Miller, Heather Wilcox, and Stephanie Walters. Susy was supposed to join us (and Corb was going to watch most of her kids), but Tim got sick so she had to skip this one. Despite the crowds on the river and our lazy, laughter-filled float, we spotted 3 bull moose along the way!
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| Susy at top of Lightning Ridge |
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| Nancy at top of Lightning Ridge |
On Friday, we coordinated a bike ride for Corb, an oil change for the truck, and an afternoon at Teton Springs pool with the Russells into one outing. Although thunderstorms interrupted our swimming twice, the kids managed to have a good time together and Susy and I got a few minutes of relaxing in the hot tub! Susy also got the call that their offer on a house had been accepted - it looks as if we'll be visiting them in Victor next summer. After the pool, Corb and I took the kids to Big Hole BBQ for dinner. Actually, our intention was to pick up dinner and take it home, but the kids loved the place so much and were so excited to try the food that we all "bellied up" to the counter and enjoyed their famous brisket and pulled pork. It was such a hit that all the kids are asking when we can return. Brady said it was even better than Brakeman burgers - which is saying a lot for him!
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| Karee and Candice Miller - The Miller Sisters at Teton Springs |
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| Karee, Heather, Steph, Nancy - start of ladies' float |
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| We saw 3 bull moose! |
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| More chilling and floating than paddling! |
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| Karee, Steph, Heather at take out |
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| Tim, Brady, Elsa, Maggie, Connor, Will |
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| Susy and Tim |
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| Corb even got off the oars long enough to paddle board! |
Saturday (8/11) was Susy's birthday. After Corb took Jeff fishing a couple of weeks ago, Jeff has been anxious to get his whole family out on the river. So, with multiple trips and a lot of coordinating, we embarked on a really fun float, with our canoe and driftboat and 3 paddle boards. It was a first for the Russell family and our kids were very happy to have a second chance on the boards. Again - lots of laughter! Reminded of last year's celebration of Susy's birthday, Connor and I picked up morning glory muffins and cookies at Pendl's in the morning and brought them out for our first snack on the float - with a nice loud rendition of "Happy Birthday" that scared away any wildlife that may have remained! We also came upon a stray dog, who was clearly injured and likely abandoned. The kids all rallied to figure out how to help him (they were also scheming for how to keep him, of course). He rode part way down the river in the boat with us, but he got nervous so we let him out on the bank and he followed us the rest of the way downstream. We ended up calling the sheriff to take him to the local animal shelter (the only way to get him into the shelter during off-hours). We were so happy to have the entire Russell family out with us - that's a rarity this summer as the ranch and restaurant are keeping them very busy.
Saturday night we had a nice quiet family taco dinner at home - everyone tired and happy!
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| Dinner on the back deck |
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