I lost a special friend...

Erma Dean Steele Shriver

June 9, 1918 - October 12, 2010

I was fortunate enough to have her as a very special friend for over a half a century.

My girls were fortunate enough to have her as their grandmother.

Rest in peace Erma. I can guess that you and Pat are rounding up bridge players as I write this.

The guys go to hunting camp!!!

Somehow, I'm slow getting this post on. I drove up to the New Fork Narrows to help pack...I helped with two horses, then David took over. The three guys took five pack horses...and were ready for any kind of weather. So far it's been gorgeous.  The peak season for beautiful leaves is over...still wonderful however.

Bob and David are packing Snip.

Bob on Chaco with Snip and Toots..

And there they go...good luck guys!!!!  Oh I went down to the lake and had a late morning picnic lunch.  Should have done like Judi and taken my paints.  Early in the morning I didn't think once about paints.

Back up Scab Creek

The fall colors are still gorgeous...maybe a little past their peak, but non-the-less, it was a beautiful ride up to Mike's camp.

Last week we had a "hellaceous" thunder and lightening storm go through our area. This tree was about eighteen yards from their tent, and it was blown apart. He related they saw it happen through the tent wall.

With all they guys there, I just watched as they packed the horses.

Moved cows Tues...

Three generations riding....

Loved this one of the horses and Kirstie looking the same way....

A ride into Trapper and Section Corner

Bob wanted to see what the feed was like at Section Corner Lake. We rode up the Long Park Trail, which was a cuss to put it lightly. I was hoping our horses' shoes would make the trip..which they did..as did the horses fine.

We came out around by Glimpse Lake..and the views were out of this world. The above picture should be titled...horseback in the Rocky Mountains, or why these mountains are named the Rocky Mountains. This is a switchback coming out of Glimpse. The trail is actually very good.

The colors were phenomenal...what a gorgeous day. Notice Snip only has a pack saddle. She went along because we didn't want to leave her home alone.  We were riding almost eight hours this day.  Today the horses get a much deserved rest.

Spot pack up Scab Creek

We're at the trail head of Scab Creek. I'm leading Michael's horses Buckwheat and Cisco. Good horses, and even though we packed them light, or maybe because...they went up there easily..  Bob took Snip packed.

The sky was gorgeous with the mares' tails. It was a perfect day to ride in and out of there. We were horseback less than six hours this day. Dinner at the Stockman's...and a nice visit with Kay ended the day.

Kiz and Betty

Betty came by and took me to the art festival in Jackson. We ate our way through the booths, and did some other shopping too. Kiz was so glad when we got home, as Bob had left her in the house alone. He had to drive, and the Cat was out and about.

Somebody who shall remain nameless convinced me that we (actually she already snagged this for me) snag this off of Duene's blog and put it here with Betty and Kiz!

Ride up Scab Creek

This is one steep ride...Bob's taking a hunting camp in for a friend next week, and he wanted to ride the trail. It's steep.  Bob remembers Walt Lozier using this trail to take in a hunting camp, and Walt said "It's as steep as a cow's face!"

The horses are resting up from that climb yesterday.  When Bob gets back from the ditch I think we're just riding out of here, and he's planning to do some work on his colt.  :)

Some of our winter hay...

There was a heck of a wind storm came in when Michael brought this load of hay. The hay sure looked sweet coming in on the stacker. It's some we baled yesterday!

Trip to Emmett aka Jackie & Barry's 60th anniversary

Sixty three miles east of Boise my car quit. Safeco got Shorty's towing there in short order, and he got me to Boise in a timely fashion. Other than the broke down car, all of that went well. I left the car at Leitha Ford, and Naugle's grandson Jim came after me.

Sam was bitten in the eye by a bee..the eye you can't really see here..but he was hamming it up. He grilled us some awesome burgers and brats.

It was sooo neat to see Jackie and Barry after all these decades. They had no idea I was coming, and they were most surprised.

Annie made the whole trip work for me. Love that gal. Decided to add a little more "story" to this blog.  Jackie and Barry Naugle were old time friends from our Willow Creek days.  Their courting days were at the Z Bar U....and they report that I realized something was going on, "because Jackie started curling her hair".  Barry says he didn't even know it at the time.  Their wedding, which took place at Moose Wyoming,  was the first one I went to.  Barry has a couple of books out about his time in Wyoming, which was only ten years, yet a lifetime.  He remembers it as the most interesting time of his life.  Three of their four children were there.  Many grand children and great grand children...that I'm not entirely straight on yet.  Sam is the youngest of the kids...Carrie didn't make it.

Jay...the oldest son who lives in Ellensburg left Sunday.  This was his mode of travel.

Jackie and Barry build this canoe a couple years ago.  It is beautiful.  Because of my car being in the shop over the holiday, I got to stay longer.  I spent Saturday night in the only motel in Emmett, as I'd planned.  The Holiday Motel is a neat mom and pop business, and I would recommend it to anyone.  The next night I stayed with Sam and Cindy.  Somehow I didn't get any photos of Cindy, who is a beautiful lady.  Very beautiful.  She was always busy doing something for someone...she's a terrific girl.  After Annie, Bob, and little Sam left, I stayed with Jackie and Barry.  We had lots of one on one time..Jackie toured me around the country.  Barry works hard in his garden...the cat, Stretch keeps them on the straight and narrow.  Good cat.