Vacation in Sun Valley Idaho

Dear Boys,

As part of our summer adventures, we spent the Fourth of July in Sun Valley ID at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Sam's house.  We were lucky enough to also be joined by Nana, Gramps, and Cousin Chloe.  When we planned this trip we asked Nana if she wanted to come along for the drive.  It is about a 13-hour drive from the Bay Area and since she has not seen much of the West from a car, she happily agreed.  

We left on the Friday of the holiday weekend.  I was very proud of myself because I got us all packed up and shut down the house (including leaving the cats properly set up) all by myself.  We drove into the city and picked up Dad and then headed over the Bay Bridge on our way out of town.    We decided to get 6+ hours in on Friday night and finish the rest of the trip in the morning.  This worked out great.  We stopped in Reno for dinner and rolled into our hotel late at night.  We slept well and got back on the road early in the morning.

The rest of the drive was uneventful and nice.  We arrived in Sun Valley in the afternoon ready for fun and some running around.  Gramps and cousin Chloe were there already so everyone was ready for fun once we got in.

You guys gravitated to the indoor racketball court and the game room right way.  I don't think we saw you for a couple of hours once you found out about all the fun that could be had in Kathy and Sam's house!

The next morning I got up and went for a run and you guys went to the skate park with Dad. I met you there and we had a great time skating around.  Then we went downtown for breakfast and to walk around.  You boys decided that fishing was high on your to do list so we got the fishing pools and tried out our luck.  We did not catch anything and it even started to rain!  For some reason you guys did not want to stand in the rain and fish, I think Califonia living is making you soft on the weather!  Dad and I took your polls and gave fishing a shot.  After fishing, we went on a drive to explore the State Forest and try to find some moose.  No luck. We did find natural hot springs that were sadly not hot due to the crazy amount of snow run off!  It was really beautiful out there.

The next day we got up and tried to find a moose!  We had asked the local fishing shop where they could be spotted and the guy gave us a map and suggestions about where to go.  The surrounding area does not look like where I would expect moose to roam.  Once outside Sun Valley, there is a lot of farm land and no obvious place I would expect to see a moose.  BUT as we got closer to Silver Creek (where the fishing shop sent us) I could see how the moose would like to live there.  It sort of felt like an oasis in the high desert and I thought for sure we were going to find a moose since there did not seem to be a lot of places to hide.  

We checked in at the visitors center and the woman confirmed that there were some known places to see a moose.  We did a small hike but we were not dressed well enough to prevent the bugs from swarming us.  After a little while, you and I returned to the car and Dad kept looking. He really wanted to find me a moose!  Even though we did not have any luck, we had a great time exploring!

That night you guys stayed behind with and went bowling with Aunt Kathy, Nana, and Chloe.  As crazy as it sounds, Dad and I drove the 45 minutes back to Silver Creek to try and find a moose at dusk. We did a hike and drove around looking.  We spoke to a fisherwoman who said she recently saw a mama moose with two babies!  As we were talking to her a deer stepped into the river and crossed right in front of us.  I kept wishing that a moose would step out next!  At dusk, we saw a heard of elk, an antelope, and an owl but no moose.  Oh well, a moose hunting date was the best date I could ever ask for!

On the 4th we all went to Bald Mt and took the gondola up to the top of the mountain. We had a great time enjoying the views and hunting for snow.  We did eventually find snow and we all threw snowballs on the 4th of July!  How awesome is that?!  Afterwards, we enjoyed a great lunch high atop the mountain!  That night I went with Aunt Kathy, Nana, and Chloe to the ice show at the outdoor ice rink.  The fire works were right after and you thought they were amazing!

The next day we took you guys ice skating!  Yes, that is correct, ice skating in the summer on an outdoor rink!  Can you believe it?!  You guys improved very very quickly due in a large part to Nana's tutelage.  Never have I ice skated while drips of sweat rolled down my back, it was a very surreal experience and I am not sure you understand how unique that experience really was.

I would love to say that the drive home was as uneventful as the drive there but it was quite the opposite.  Brady, you got very sick the day we left and we ended up having to nurse your fever and vomiting the whole way to Reno.  When we got to Reno I noticed a rash on your back and knew immediately you had scarlet fever.  After a few hours in the ER, the doctor confirmed this diagnosis and we left with antibiotics.  You were still off the next day but at least you were on the mend.  Brody, you were an angel the whole ride home.  We paid you little mind because we were so busy taking care of Brady and you were good as gold.  Thank you, son!  While we were in the ER, you and Nana ate pizza in the hotel room and Nana put on a baseball game.  She told me that you sat back on the couch with your pizza in your hand and expressed utter joy for being able to eat pizza watch sports at the same time.  I guess I know what you want to be doing more often!

All in all the trip was amazing and it seems like the memories are cemented in your mind.  You talk about Sun Valley all the time now and ask to go back constantly!  I hope we can make it back there again soon.  Thanks for a great trip!

The fun did not end when we got home!  Nana, Gramps, and Chloe stayed for an extra few days and Aunty Ray Ray flew in for a 24-hour visit!  I got to go sight seeing with everyone on Saturday while Brady recovered and by Sunday everyone was healthy enough for a pool party!  It was a truly wonderful two weeks full of family and adventure!  I hope this entry helps you remember it!

love,

Mom

 deer

brown speck: antelope

brown specks: elk