Hiking Moscow Mountain

Since we moved here, we've been asking around for good hiking spots and people generally tell us how great a place is, but then can't seem to give driving directions to it. Moscow Mountain is one of those places ... everyone mentions it as a good place, but we've never been able to get decent directions on how to get there, even though it's less than 30 minutes away.

Saturday we just decided to give it a go and see what we could find.

Once we got into the right area, we realized why directions are always so hazy ... there are several different roads winding up and around the mountain and all the land is private, so there isn't a developed/mapped trail network ... just land that owners don't mind people hiking on. With that knowledge, we were happy to find a trail and go exploring. It turned out to be a beautiful day -- first day seeing the sun all week and it was amazing!

The knob in the background is Steptoe Butte - visible from Spokane too :)

Love us some dirt roads!

Moose camp

Last week I sent Luke out the door while I got my shoes on inside. When I stepped out, I was astonished to see a moose was camped out in our yard!
Note to self for the future: take a look before sending Luke outside :)



























She seemed completely unbothered by our presence. Knowing moose can be somewhat ornery made me a little wary. I did my best to keep Luke at a safe distance while keeping my eye on her. When she got up and started coming our way, I decided it was time to head inside (after taking one more photo).



























Luke loved watching her from our deck, especially when her calf joined her (no twin) -- our landlord has a salt lick out and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

October Visitors!

Sorry for the blog lull this month ... I've been struggling still with the adjustment back to life here and the excesses that accompany it; feeling like I just don't fit in. Then on the flip-side, fitting right in by feeling discontent with my life. Ahh ... I hate how when all our survival/safety needs are met, we immediately look around and feel unhappy with what we have (or maybe I'm alone in this??!?)

The reality that we plan to live here for THREE years is settling in on me. This will be the first time since we've been married that we've moved somewhere and planned from the get-go to live in that place for more than just one year. It's scaring me a little. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this location and our living situation is truly wonderful, but on so many days it just feels so ... unexciting. I feel so ungrateful for even thinking this way, but there it is.

I've also realized that this is the first time since I graduated college {16 years ago!} that I haven't had at least some loosely planned upcoming travel to look forward to. A baby and a fairly strict budget don't exactly lend themselves to travel plans, making me feel even more claustrophobic about Idaho living.

I was convicted at church this weekend (we think we've found our Moscow church home - thank goodness!) about how I haven't emotionally wanted to "give-up" our non-traditional/travel lifestyle and how perhaps I need to release that, knowing that life lived fully with Jesus is going to be better than any adventure I could ever imagine :)

Yesterday morning, I glanced out the window and was shocked to see a moose standing down below our deck! She let me and Luke gape at her a while and then went on her way. It was great. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't take the best pictures in such low light, but you get the idea - it was exciting!!

In the evening as we were coming back from a short hike, she stampeded out of some brush in front of us with TWIN calves!  I know ... and I'm complaining that my life isn't exciting! God is showing me that He has plenty to offer here in Idaho!

Monday morning, this bi-plane flew past our place again and again as it dusted the nearby fields (with I'm not sure what?) which Luke loved.

Just two days before that we had the best visitor of ALL!  Allison was one of Jason's co-workers in Guatemala and is just an absolutely amazing gal, drove over from Tacoma. I cannot express just how good it was to see a fellow Guatemala-kindred spirit. Seeing her was exactly what I needed.

She and her roommate spent the night before heading on to a concert in Spokane, so we had time for a good catch-up, a little hike and quick tour of Moscow. Allison remembered that Luke likes owls and brought him such a cute one! And her roomie brought her nice camera and took some sweet photos of him. So nice!

Winter begins ...

This week has been c-o-l-d. Waking up to 41° outside, 62° inside and a daily outdoor HIGH of 55° = not my favorite. And, this is only the beginning ... ugh. It is going to be a long winter and for some reason I'm having trouble getting excited about it. I feel like I didn't mind it so much when we lived in Vermont, but maybe I did and I've just blocked it from my memory.

Lucky for Luke, he was given some fabulous winter hand-me-downs from his second cousins and should be able to stay cozy over the next six months ... and, unlike me, doesn't seem bothered by the cold :)

Winchester Lake State Park

We recently got to visit our 3rd Idaho state park - Winchester Lake and now have 27 left to visit. This park is a little over an hour away and although small, was a fun day excursion for us.

Jason was happy to know that they have camping year-round here ... meaning he can come do some snow camping (without me!!) when he gets the itch.

There was a really nice path going all the way around the small lake and literally had no one else on it.

I was excited to see one of these thistles still in bloom and Luke was thrilled by all the geese living on the lake ... we were less thrilled since it meant the water and shoreline were filled with their waste - ick!

Our favorite part of the day was listening to these two old-timers fish and chat about their catches. It was priceless and something I would have loved to have on video.