My parents came to town last Thursday through Sunday and we had an awesome time showing them around the area. We visited Sun Valley for a night at the Inn, cruised to Galena Summit on a clear and frosty day, walked around some shops in Ketchum, went to a live performance at the theatre in Hailey and of course had many a dark beer.
Also included in this photo set are some shots from Ben’s last visit including a couple bouldering shots from Dierkes. Even though it feels like the weekend just ended we are already gearing up for another big holiday adventure. Friday we head to Rupert to visit Susan, Nate and Zach for the weekend before loading Vincent up for another grand journey down to Red Rocks near Las Vegas. Meeting us there will be a host of great Alaskan friends amidst their own adventures, and none other then Ben and Cora as well! Christmas in Red Rocks? New Year in Vegas? Indoor skydiving (ask Cora)? In all we have 2 weeks of fun ahead of us before returning to the Big Wood which has lately likened itself to a freezer box. I won’t lie though.. getting up to see Galena Lodge has finally shaken loose the strangle hold rock climbing has had on my brain since last March. With new Deeluxe Sparks boots and a pair of new bibs, the backcountry awaits our return.
Happy holiday’s to you all and keep my grandma in your thoughts as she heads in for heart surgery on Friday, but in her words “I just want to get this thing over with so I can go on my next trip!” (at 80 years old she just returned from Africa)…
The Boulder Mountains offer a crazy view from highway 75 just north of Ketchum.
Panorama of the Boulder Mountains.
Cattails in the Draper Reserve on the edge of Hailey. The low light while we were walking in the fresh snow was surreal.
Pops on the boardwalk in the Draper Reserve.
These beautiful ducks call the small section of unfrozen marsh home. Eiders?
Robyn, Pops and Mom up at Galena Lodge and the starting point to several miles of amazing groomed nordic trails.
Ben rockin around the Christmas Tree at Sun Valley Brewing Company.
Ben crushing some featured basalt boulders at Dierkes Lake, ID.
Robyn bouldering from under a basalt overhang at Dierkes Lake, ID.
This day threatened with rain until it finally unleashed in spectacular fashion. We waited it out under an overhang thinking it would pass until a gust of wind whipped our bouldering pad 20 feet in the air like cardboard on a raging campfire.
Trying my hand at the the same problem. The rock is pretty textured for basalt and makes great all day climbing that’s easy on the tips.
Shoshone Ice Caves. Still haven’t gone but I am thinking it is more of a summer time activity.
As we headed home from Dierkes we were treated to another beautiful sunset. Often times the snowy mountains in the distance are the last objects to reflect back the evening’s final pink rays.
Back to the Big Wood.
While my parents were here we went to see this live performance of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. It was super fun!
Going for a stroll down main street in Hailey, ID.
Every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas the Hailey Hoilday square lights up with a big bonfire, carolers and tents serving hot chocolate and selling gifts.
Sun Valley Village
Deer pose.
Some of the light displays were downright hard to believe. There were lights on EVERY branch top to bottom and all the way out to the tips of every limb.
A “not $10” breakfast at the Sun Valley Lodge. We were greeted with a perfect sunny and crisp day to enjoy both Ketchum and Galena Pass.
It was actually pretty surprising how much snow there was only an hour up the road from home. Galena Lodge is a great down home lodge that Robyn and I hope to get back to often this winter.
Great post! love the photos..