August 2019 - Cliff Lake

For our August campout Charlotte's friend Sadie and her dad Eric joined us on a canoeing trip to the Lost Mine Canyon fork of Cliff Lake.  We started out at the put in at Horn Creek, made accessible by the nice folks at the Wilderness Edge.

Cliff Lake is a natural glacier lake - part of what is termed the “chain of lakes” beginning with the highest, Hidden Lake, then continuing down to Goose, Otter, Cliff and Wade lakes.  Our plan was to paddle up the Horn Creek arm across and down the Lost Mine arm to a campsite and then make our way the next day up past Otter and Goose Lakes to the rope swing at Hidden Lake.

Dinner that night was a luxurious dish of Butter Chicken and rice.

Breakfast was a German scrambled egg hash that we call "Christmas Morning", as this is when we traditionally make the dish.  We'd cracked the eggs and then frozen and vacuum sealed them before heading out.  They held up beautifully and in fact were still frozen that morning!

On our way up to Hidden Lake we passed a couple of groups of hikers coming down and going up, but for the most part enjoyed the solitude.

Lucky Horseshoe!

Spotting Eagles over Otter Lake

The hike was capped by fun on the rope swing - some were more adventurous than others...

Hidden Lake

We had a pleasant canoe back to the dock, with mild winds and minimally tired arms at the end of the journey.

July 2019 - Badger Creek

For our July campout I joined Charlotte and her friends at Badger Creek for an overnight before heading up to Grand Targhee resort where we hiked up the Bannock trail and then over to Mary's Saddle.

The girls had a nice hike and I got great footage with the little drone - as shown here:

June 2019 - ODD Squad Returns! (May Family Ranch)

After a brief hiatus Eleanor passed the torch to Charlotte to begin our next season of the ODD Squad.  Charlotte and I joined the Rexburg 6th Ward youth group (including Oliver and Eleanor) on their multi-day activity at the May Ranch on the Salmon River.

Moonlight at the May Ranch

Of course while there, Charlotte and I pitched a tent and began our monthly campouts.  With warm weather and a mowed lawn to accommodate us it was no real hardship.

On Friday we went upstream to the Yankee Fork Dredge and then on up to Custer - part of the Land of Yankee Fork State Park.

There's gold in them thar hills!

We toured the old boom town buildings and tried our hand at panning for gold - without much luck.

That afternoon we returned to the May Family Ranch where the kids enjoyed outdoor play including a monster slip-n-slide.

December 2018 - Harriman Yurt Campout

To keep tradition alive Eleanor was willing to invite some friends up to Harriman for our December campout. 

the Three Amigas

Her friends and their Dad's helped us make some delicious Ravioli with Parma Rosa for dinner. 

S'mores for dessert

We again attempted to dominate medieval France in a game of Carcassonne before turning in for the night. 

Dominating the Countryside

The next morning after a scrambled egg hash breakfast we went for an exhilarating ski along Millionaire's bend of the Snake River. 

Breaking our Fast

The ski bandit

Skitastic!

Nearly all accounted for...

Wintersköl

Good times were had by all.

November 2018 - Twin Bridges / Christmas Tree Campout

Eleanor and I set out to find a camping spot near our favorite Christmas tree spot.  However, the Table Rock Campground and Kelly Island Campgrounds were both closed for the season so we circled back to Twin Bridges to setup a late camp. 

Candlelight Fajitas

We had Fajita's for dinner and then hunkered down to sleep through a cold night in our warm Hilleberg Tent. 

Mythbusters Keeps us Occupied

Hilleberg Keeps you Toasty when its Frosty

The next morning we shook off the frost and made some hot cereal before heading back to Moody Creek to get our Christmas trees...

Christmas Tree Hunter

Ellie making snowballs to pelt the selfie

September 2018 - Buffalo River Canoe Trip

In September we joined the Rose family again, this time for a camp along the banks of the Buffalo River in Island Park, and a float from the headwaters the following morning. 

Buffalo River Campground

We enjoyed a classic "tinfoil dinner".

Dinnertime

Eleanor and I hammocked that night without any rain to wake us, and enjoyed a hot cereal breakfast before heading upriver to begin our float. 

Hammock View

Ellie's Perch

My Shoulder Angel

The upper stretches of the river were like an Olympic slalom course, and the widened to a beautiful float before turning into a quarter mile slog through shallow water. 

Putting in

Canoe Pro

Obstacle Course

Downriver we got back on course and pulled out back at our campsite.

August 2018 - Harriman Bikepacking Trip

Harriman State Park recently made it's "Backcountry Yurt" available for camping during the summertime and we decided to use it as a base for a bikepacking trip. 

Roughing it

Eleanor's friends joined us on our trip. 

Rose family helping with dinner prep

With the "bob" trailer loaded up and packs on backs we made the easy trip into the Yurt and setup for a wonderful dinner of Beef Stroganoff. 

Good Eats

Winner Dinner

After making a trip down to the creek to filter water for the rest of our stay we played a game of "Carcasonne" before hitting the sack. 

Fetching Water

Medieval Fiefdoms Arise

How 'bout them waffles...

The next morning we enjoyed waffles, complete with berries and whipped cream. 

More Good Eats

Breakfast of Champions

Then we packed up and rode back on the single track trail to our cars and civilization.