Grouse Creek, Here We Come!

May 27

Nate and I got up at 5:30/6 to drive to Grouse Creek to meet up with his family. Again he insisted on driving the whole way. I fell asleep shortly after we hit the road and missed the gorgeous view of the Sierra Nevadas. I was bummed when I woke up to have missed it. We showed up at the house a little after 5 pm. We ate lasagna for dinner and as a family went to the Etna house to see where Larry grew up. 

 The family living there was really nice to let us look around as Larry recounted stories from his childhood. The owner of the house and Larry talked about their ancestors from the valley. It was cool to hear all the stories and memories. I guess at one point the current owner was hunting game across the street and saw something under a rock that peaked his interests. When he moved the rock, he found a bunch of letters in an old crate, written by one of his ancestors starting around 1916 or 1919, just before and during WWI. They were still in pretty good condition too! This building above also was made in the late 1800's with bricks chiseled with an ax and mortared in quality condition.

 This was Larry's playground as a boy. Right around his mother's garden.

After leaving the Etna house, we drove around to different sites where Larry helped his dad work the farm. Apparently, around the house Larry's grandpa or great grandpa had 400 acres of farmland and another 17,000 acres near Pilot Peak. That's huge! Currently, Larry's family only owns a small fraction of that land today....(which Nate hopes to own one day. Grouse Creek is one of his favorite places, much like his dad, Larry, quiet with minimal amount a public crowds.) Emily and Sara recorded Larry's stories as we went from place to place

 The "Grouse Creek" house Larry's family still owns today. We slept there for the night.

After driving around, Larry wanted to show me the grouse creek cemetery where the Warburton graves are. There's a lot of their ancestors there, including those that built the Etna house. He also showed us some graves of Shoshone children. It was kind of cool. We came back to the house for Em's dessert which was delicious!!!

 Scott was pretty interested watching me play with my iPad

 The living room. The adults talked while the kids ran in and out of the room. Emily gathered them together at one point to play spoons with cards and candy. As it got later, the kids were put in Barbara and Larry's room to watch a movie, while the grown ups played Wits & Wagers. It was really fun.

Soon then everyone decided to go to bed. Nate cocooned me next to him inside a sleeping bag and a blanket on a twin. The next morning his mom came in to wake us up. Originally, she couldn't see me, I was that bundled! Eventually she saw my forehead. I stayed warm though.

May 28

Monday morning, everyone got up, ate breakfast and cleared out of the house. Barbara traded her car with ours because Nate wasn't entirely sure the Saturn could make it over anymore dirt roads. We also picked up two of our nieces in the back seat during our trip. Emily's family, Sara, Nate and myself went to City of the Rocks in Idaho.

 Do you see how there is nothing out here?

 Twin Sisters National Monument

 We drove through the park, arriving at Bathtub Rock.

 Nate, Emily and I climbed to the top. The rock has been altered in such a way that you don't need gear to climb it. Nate thinks he's so cool.

 We're almost to the top!

 Do you see why it's called Bathtub rock?

 City of  Rocks

 After we climbed down, Rob and Marri decided to climb to the top. Nate and I sat near the base watching Scott try to climb the same rock.  Cecily and Sophie went on their own adventure after trying to climb the same rock as Marri and the adults. Emily took her girls on a climb of their own. One that hadn't been explored yet.

 Afterwards, we went to the visitor's center and hot springs in Almo, Idaho. They have 4 different sized pools. It was nice to just relax and soak in the water.

 Sara

 After swimming, we went to the Almo Steakhouse for lunch. We shared steak, pie, dutch oven potatoes, mixed veggies and steak fries. It was honestly the best steak I've ever had. It was SOO delicious!

 Afterwards, we headed home with the girls in the back seat. I put Aladdin on for them while we drove to Garland. We put flowers on the graves of Nate's grandparents and great grandparents. It was a great end to a much needed summer vacation.