Hot Springs Continued...8º burr, it is still October!

Thursday shopping was fun for a change, our first stop was a consignment store, where they only take quality items, and price them so everyone gets a good deal...All of us scored there, Jan and Sue thinking of the guys they left behind, found coats at bargain prices, Pam was into vests this year, as a multi colored wool fit in her bag, along with practically new winter gloves, and I with much trepidation tried on a pair of leather, ankle boots, (me who only wears stable tennis shoes, as I "approach" old age) they fit, felt good, had good soles and only a few scuff marks, I succumbed! Linda is a "professional" thrift store shopper, buying for; Herself, husband, kids and grandkids, she has a nose like a bloodhound when it comes to finding the best names, quality clothing and equipment for family skiing trips...From there we moved on to thrift stores and three hours later, Sue, Jan and I were shopped out and hungry...We left the other two, to shop more and walk "home," while we drove to the cabin, made sandwiches for all, visited, before Sue and Jan, took a walk for some fresh air and the incredible views of Payette Lake...For the evenings entertainment, some played cards and others enjoyed crazy tv shows/movies on netflix.

Friday dawned cold and clear...We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and were entertained by a family of raccoons, parading through the property and into their "home," under a storage garage...Soon we had lunches packed, car loaded, Sue as pilot, (her car is more roomy than mine) we drove the scenic 40 mile route to Burgdorf...As we neared Burgdorf, signs of this summers fire became apparent and we could see how close the fire came to nearly wiping out this lovely spot, with all of its historic cabins and lodge, and are so glad that, that didn't happen...Four of us enjoyed a 2 hour soak, (had the pool mostly to ourselves), while Jan investigated the many cabins, walked to nearby campgrounds, then joined us in the lodge for our lunch before we just had to get back in the pool for another hour, before our ride back to McCall...It was a sun filled, crisp, cold day as we soaked, neck deep, in this mineral bath that hovers around 103º.

On our other trips we have returned via the 39 road to home...Since Sue and Jan had never been from New Meadows, north through Riggins, Grangeville etc, to Lewiston we decided to drive this loop home...We left shortly after 8am, fueled up in Riggins, where Pam and I spent some time trying to meet up with friend, Kitty...We kept in touch via cell phones, for the rest of the journey...All made a stop at Costco and we drove through snowy country as we approached Wallowa County...We all arrived safe and sound, tired but happy and already planning next years trip!..Hugs To All...OWAV:)

These ladies get more camera shy every year!

Zims Pool

Selfies Were A Bust!

Brundage Ski Area/Lodge

Upper Payette Lake.

Back Seat Drivers

Home Away From Home.

 

Jan Found A Friend On Her Walk At Burgdorf.

October has been a long, cold month...23º

The writing/photo bug has eluded me for the past month...It has been a crazy October, with snow and cold days and the autumn colors have been missing on Barton Heights...Indian Summer must have taken up residence elsewhere...The leaves, still green, instead of that lovely golden color have fallen and Herb has raked and bagged them to be used in our veggie garden...Everything has been put away for winter and the wood stove keeps us warm and cozy.

The highlight of October is a "getaway," for me and "4 days alone" for Herb, no honey do list, he can do only what he wants to do...But he did rake more leaves and keep the home fires burning, eating hamburgers, until I returned home to cook.

On Wed. Oct 23, 5 ladies, 2 cars (packed with all the necessities) for a 3 night/4 day trip to soak in as many hotsprings as possible, left Joseph...The 39 forest service road was still open and we were on our way shortly after 8am...It was clear, cold and sunny...Perfect!..Our first destination was Zims at New Meadows, Idaho...Unknown to us they decided to go on "fall hours" and didn't open until 4pm, so we changed plans, got to our little cottage mid afternoon, settled in, before all piling into one car and were off to Gold Fork, to soak until dark...The main pool at Gold Fork is big and hot!...The day crowd (lots of kids) was beginning to thin out, so we had plenty of room to just soak up the heat...Nothing feels better, after many hours in a car!..Average temperature in that pool was over 104º, depending on where you were, and it has a ledge to sit on, that gets your upper body out of the water...It is heavenly!..Back at the cottage, we ate soup and ice cream before calling it a night.

Thursday morning, a short driving tour up to Brundage ski area and then a morning in the thrift shops, where we all managed to find a treasure to bring home...A late afternoon soak at Zim's, not our favorite, but an easy drive to get there...To be continued....Hugs to All...OWAV:)

Ready for adventure.

Over the loop road.

Real Autumn Colors.

Unusual September Weather...30º

A common saying in Wallowa County about our weather and seasons of the year is, "We have winter and July."...I think it came very close to that this year, spring was middling, summer was iffy and fall ended Sept. 27th, with maybe 2" of heavy wet snow overnight, that left everything drooping and snow showers that lasted for 5 more days...Maybe today Oct. 2, we will have sunshine and the temperature could reach a "balmy 51º."..We are optimistic folks and think Indian Summer is still possible.

It was a push to get the potatoes harvested and garlic planted before it snowed...We had offers of help, but being stubborn and determined, we dressed warm, encouraged each other and voilà, we made it happen!..We have potatoes for winter in the cellar and 9 new rows of garlic in the ground, for next years harvest...There is  more fall cleanup to be done, one day at a time.

Health wise we are both feeling better, Herb has most of the fall deadheading done, irrigation stuff all put away, the garlic is drying, (our house is very odoriferous), and my knee finally feels like it is healing, after two months of physical therapy and trying not to overdo, but still fill the cellar shelves for winter...We are snug and warm in our house and as ready for winter as possible...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Before the storm:

Fall Grasses

Fall Crocus

Asters

Black Eyed Susans.

Some of our Potatoes

The last bouquet of Sunflowers.

After the storm, bleak Sept.days.

Cold and damp.

Huge snow flakes falling.