Geocaching in the South Hills

Saturday (July 13th) we packed up the kids for a day-trip of geocaching in the South Hills.  

For those of you NOT familiar with Twin Falls, let me let you in on a few things.  The South Hills is what we get for mountains around here.  There's Sun Valley up north about 2 hours, and Mt. Harrison in Burley (1 1/2 hours).  And Twin Falls, we get the Canyon.  Which is spectacular by the way... there are so many waterfalls, and trails to hike.  It really is beautiful.  I love exploring the canyon.  But.  It's no mountain either.  There's no pine trees and campfires down there.  

I've never really given the south hills much credit.  Maybe because of the name.  "Hills."  As a result, I've never really had much of a desire to go out there.  

But Geocaching has taken us places I would never go. 

We saw that there are a TON of geocaches out in the south hills.  So we decided to take a family day-trip and see what we could find. 

Parker picked out some caches on the roads he wanted to take.  We packed a cooler with sandwiches, snacks and lots of drinks, then we got in the car and took a drive.  I was so surprised at how much like mountains these so-called "hills" were becoming!  Pine trees!  Cool air!  Cliffs!  It was beautiful!  And I really started to get excited.

Angie fell asleep on the way up Rock Creek Canyon (the road up to the hills).  I was glad of this.  It was going to be a long day in the sun, and a nap wouldn't hurt.  We picked up the first cache on the side of the road.  Inside it was a "redi-cache."  GENIUS!  It was a film canister with a small blank log book and a little pencil.  All ready to go, for somebody to grab and then hide in their own spot.  So we took it.  The second cache took us on a hike.  We started on a trail, but then the GPS was pointing about 300 feet in the direction where there WAS NO trail.  My GPS doesn't have maps....so even though we were sure there was a better way.....we had no way of finding it.  So we stepped off the trail and hacked through the brush.

I had Garrett on my back, and Angie was on Parker's back, and Caleb was on foot.

Even though I was slightly worried about snakes, ticks, and all those creepy things that you find off the trails.....we were fine. 

After hacking our way through the bushes and trees (up-hill by the way) we came to a rock cliff about 20 feet high.  The trees were thicker all around us, and we decided we were going to have to climb the rocks.  Parker went first, and Angie was pretty nervous sitting there helpless on her daddy's back.  She kept saying, "Daddy be careful!"  or just whining and crying at some points.  It really wasn't that hard of a climb....quite fun actually.  There were lots of red ants on the rocks, incase climbing with kids on your back wasn't enough to freak you out. 

We reached the top, and found a spectacular view.

We also found the geocache, hiding in the rocks.  And also a road at the top, that would have led us straight to the cache, no bush-whacking and hiking involved, if only my GPS had maps.  Oh well.  It was an adventure for us, and actually quite fun.

Most geocaches are full of things that you can take, as long as you leave something else.  This one was different.  There were 2 pads of paper, and a box of colored pencils with a sharpener.

The cache was named "Worth 1000 words."  It was a picture cache.  The creator wanted each person to draw a picture of the view.  We let the kids draw, and Parker drew a quick sketch as well.  Some of the sketches in the books were quite good actually.  It was a unique cache.  And definitely the most difficult we've found so far.

Garrett likes to chew on my GPS.

For the hike down, we went around the rock cliff.  Parker found a mushroom that was bigger than his hand!

Once we made it back to the bottom we had lunch in the shade.  The kids ate their sandwiches without a fight, and had LOTS to drink.  The kids took LOTS of potty breaks.  Parker and I were worried about them getting dehydrated with all the hiking, so we let them drink as much as they wanted.  As a result, Caleb and Angie became experts on peeing outside.

Garrett was so happy to be along for the ride.  He was happy almost the entire time! 

On our way to find the third cache, we saw a pretty amazing sight:

A mamma moose with 2 calves!

Parker had his new spotting scope with him, and was able to take this picture through the scope.  So cool?!  I was pretty impressed.  I had no idea you could just stick your phone up to the scope and it could take a picture of what you're looking at!

The third cache was about a mile in from every road we could find.  We finally gave up.  There was no way we were going to hike a mile with 3 kids.  I'm sure there was a better way (like the road to the second cache)....but we had no way of finding what that better way would be.

The 4th and final cache was practically on the other side of the mountain.....almost to Oakley (which is 20 miles south of Burley).   While driving out to this cache, we spotted a bachelor group of deer.

Parker got out his spotting scope to look at the deer, but they were pretty spooked....and they ran off before he could get it set up properly.

After all that, we drove in through Oakley, and then into Burley city.  We had a family dinner at the new Denny's restaurant in Burley.  The kids ate really good, and I just have to say again how much fun this day trip was!

Caleb ordered pizza, and Angie got spaghetti.  And Garrett refused to eat the mashed potatoes that I'd bought for him....but he did have an entire dinner roll, and a bunch of Caleb's fries.  I think he's tired of eating baby food.  He likes to eat table food....and if mommy would just accept it, I am sure he'd be a lot happier.  ;)

I really can't wait till we can take our next trip out to the south hills....which are very much enough like mountains for me.  I really am liking Twin Falls more and more the longer I live here.

4th of July weekend

 My parents came to visit on the evening of July 3rd, and stayed with us to celebrate the 4th.  Parker had to work, so we spent the day being Twin Falls tourists.  I actually really love doing this.  I'm so sorry to say I have no pictures.  It was such a fun day.  We went to Perrine bridge first and I had my parents watch the BASE jumpers.  I've lived in Twin for 4 years, but my parents haven't ever watched people jump!  (You know....it's the only bridge in the US that it's legal to BASE jump from).  People come from all around the world to see this bridge.  We looked for some geocaches around there too. 

After the bridge we visited Twin Falls, and Shoshone falls.  I'm sorry to say I didn't get pictures of THIS either....because I made an awesome discovery.  We were looking for a geocache near the falls, that was supposed to be located at a photo viewing area of the falls.  I went to the typical viewing site, and my GPS said I was still about 500 feet away.  I was so confused.  Where else could you go?  This was the only place I'd ever gone to view the falls.  Then when I looked off in the distance, I saw ANOTHER viewing platform on the next rock ledge over.  I had NO idea how to get over there!  I remembered there were some trails up the hill, so I decided to see if any of them led to the viewing platform.  My parents stayed with Garrett, and I made the hike with Angie and Caleb.  Of course Angie's little legs only lasted about  5 minutes, and I had to carry her for the majority of the hike.  It took about 15 minutes to get around there with the kids.  When we reached the platform, we found the geocache (a magnetic key holder with a log book in it.....stuck to the railing) and the MOST AMAZING VIEW of the falls I have ever seen!  And hardly any people!  The other viewing spot is always packed with people.  I couldn't believe I'd never seen this before!  And no....I didn't take a picture.  So dumb.  I'm just dying to take Parker back so he can see. 

When I returned to where my parents were, I told them about the spot.  It was so hot outside....they really didn't want to go out there.  I assured them it was worth it, and Caleb took them back out there.  They agreed it was worth the hike.  It just goes to show you that, the more beautiful things in life take just a  LITTLE bit more effort.  Even if it is BLISTERING hot outside!

 

After our trip to the falls, we had Lunch at Chick-Fil-A and then ice cream at coldstone.  I haven't had that much ice cream since before I went on my diet.  It made me sick.  I've always considered myself an ice cream lover....but I'm starting to wonder if it's all really worth it.  I never feel so good afterward.  Oh well.  It WAS delicious.

After ice cream I put Angie down for a nap, and Caleb actually fell asleep too (this NEVER happens).  And THAT....I DID take a picture of.....

After our naps, we piled in the car and drove out to Jackpot to meet Parker for dinner.  Our plan was to eat, and then play at the park till it got dark and then watch the AMAZING Jackpot fireworks. 

We went to Poncho Villo's for dinner.  And while we were there, a summer storm hit, and the power went out.  We ate by the light of the backup safety lights.  When we stepped outside, the skies were gray, the wind was blowing, and it was raining.  We didn't have jackets....and this was JACKPOT.  Without going to the park, there is NOTHING to do if you aren't going to gamble.

So we headed down to Parker's office and sat on the couches and visited while the kids played hide and seek and tossed around their glow-sticks.

The rain stopped about 5 minutes before the fireworks started.  And we watched the 40 minute show and listened to the fireworks echo across the desert hills.  It was really quite spectacular.  The fireworks were HUGE, and they shook the ground.  I never regret making the drive to Jackpot for fireworks.  You spend that much time fighting traffic in Twin Falls anyway.  And the show is more than twice as long.  Even with the rain and the power being out....it was still a good time.

 

Then Friday my sister (Melissa) came over and spent the day with me.  Parker actually stayed home sick that day.  He started throwing up on the drive home from Jackpot.  With the kids having been sick only the week before, I have no doubt it was from them.  He stayed in bed all day.  And Melissa and I hauled our kids around Filer to the park, and the pool (which we got kicked out of because of lightning) and even another trip to Shoshone Falls (which we were only out of the car for about 5 minutes because the wind was so bad....the kids wanted to get back in the car).  

 Honestly- the kids were just happy to get to play together.  Angie and Camrey traded dresses and shoes all throughout the day....while Caleb, Chase, and Tyler played superheroes, and transformers, and who knows what else.  I really enjoyed the company of my sister.

Saturday we went to Burley and celebrated Paul's birthday.  Paul has gotten fireworks in a business trade for the past 5 years or so....and he never gets around to lighting them ALL off.  Lets just say, he has A LOT of fireworks....and they're GOOD.  It's so fun to get to watch them from his back yard.  

Claudia called the radio station and told them it was Paul's birthday, and he won the daily drawing for the ice cream cake (Considering he knows the DJ....I doubt this was coincidence).  So we all ate ice cream cake and the kids got to sing Happy Birthday to their grandpa.

 We drove home late.  It's so hard to leave with all the fun fireworks.  And the kids didn't want to go.  But even so... with the 1 hour drive back to Filer....we didn't get home till midnight.  And we have church at 9:00 on Sunday morning.  It's ok.  We made it...and the kids had so much fun!

 This summer is flying by so fast!  And I really am enjoying every minute of it.  We stay up late a lot of nights, and skip lots of naps....but it's so much fun.  I just love building so many memories with my little family! 

June all wrapped up

 The month of June was the start of t-ball season.  On the day of the first practice it became very apparent that Caleb was on a completely different maturity level than most of the other kids on his team. T-ball is for ages 4-6 and Caleb would be turning 7 in a month.  7 year olds play in pitching machine baseball....so he just barely missed the cut-off.  After spending a year in first grade Caleb was at the maturity level of most of the 7 year olds playing pitching machine.  Caleb understands the rules of the game, and has a pretty good arm.  The kids on the t-ball team were still mostly playing in the dirt.  Caleb was ready for just that:  A GAME.  They don't keep score in t-ball or even count any outs.  I did my best to get Caleb switched to a pitching machine team....but the Filer Rec. guy in charge of the whole thing was on vacation.  It was so hard to even get ahold of him, I decided Caleb would just have to be an example to all the little kids this year.

He had his moments when he got bored, but he still had a lot of fun.  The majority of the kids on his team this year were also in our ward.....even the coaches.

 I was proud of Caleb for being patient, and having fun this season.

 And the most exciting part for him, was getting his metal at the end of the last game.

 June also brought an unexpected vacation for the kids.  Paul and Claudia were taking a trip to Las Vegas to spend some time with Robyn and John, and the day before they left, Parker got this crazy idea to send Caleb and Angie with them. 

When I proposed the idea to Caleb, he responded exactly how I knew he would.  He didn't want to go.  He kept saying, "Can't we just all go as a family?"  It didn't seem right to take a vacation without mommy and daddy.  I tried to explain to him that mom and dad had to work, and that this was a chance to have a lot of fun this summer.  And to get to see his cousins that he really doesn't get to see that often.  He actually got pretty worked up about it, and shed quite a few tears over the matter.  I was just about to give in and not make him go.  I asked Angie:  "Do YOU want to go to Kayleigh's house?"  "YEAH!"  was her response.  Caleb is a bit more of a home-body.  Parker was getting frustrated and was trying to convince me to force him to go.  I was feeling pretty bad, because, I WANTED to go!  It's so unfair being a working mom.  I decided I should talk to him one more time.  I told him it was only going to be for 4 days.  And that he could call whenever he wanted.  And that we could Skype every night.  Finally I got him to come around and he decided it would be ok to go.

 

The next day Parker took the kids to Burley, and then that evening they drove to Las Vegas. 

Once they had arrived and started playing, Caleb kept saying to Robyn, "I'm so glad I decided to come!"

 Even though it was hot, they had so much fun.  They went to the splash park, and Hoover Dam.  And just spent a lot of time destroying Robyn's house.  Robyn was kind enough to take these pictures for me.  I really wish I could have been there.  But I was so glad to let my kids do something fun this summer besides their daily trip to daycare while I work.

 Angie wore Kayleigh's princess dress almost the ENTIRE time she was at their house.  She wears dresses all the time at home too, but she loves new dresses....and this one was definitely a hit.

 

 I wish I could have seen the memorial bridge that they went to.  It was recently completed, and diverts the traffic on Hoover dam.  It's the biggest bridge I've ever seen (and I've never seen it).  It makes the Perrine bridge here in Twin Falls look miniature.

 While the kids were gone, I got to spend the weekend caring for baby Garrett.  I kept thinking over and over:  I just don't know how I ever thought my life was hard with one kid.  It was so quiet in the house with the kids gone. 

Parker and I picked up geocaching while the kids were gone.  And I re-discovered my love for the world-wide treasure hunt. 

 One of our geocaching trips took us down into Auger Falls.  This is an area I've never been to.  I've lived in Twin Falls for over 4 years now.  And I'm learning that there is SO MUCH to see down in that canyon.  Auger Falls was amazing because the road takes you down RIGHT NEXT to the canyon wall.  It was kinda eerie actually.  And majestic.  The pictures do not do justice at all.  I kept thinking how much I wanted to bring the kids down there.

 The water level was so low that the river has shrunk, and the actual "Auger Falls" had pretty much dried up.  But it was still spectacular.  There are lots of trails down there I can't wait to go and explore.

 The Twin Falls canyon is notorious for ticks and poison ivy.  We didn't spend much time down there because it was getting dark.  So we did not have to experience these things first-hand.  But I think I'll wait to bring my kids down until the fall when we don't have to worry quite as much about ticks.

 My flowers at home are getting so big and beautiful.  I love knowing that the beauty around my house is my very own.

 And our strawberry plants are producing so many, that I haven't bought strawberries in weeks (And I almost ALWAYS buy strawberries every week....especially this time of year). 

 

 June has also brought a few bouts of sickness.  Tummy aches, fevers, and throwing up.  Even Parker got it this time (and he's only thrown up one other time since we've been married).  Caleb threw up while we were geocaching last week.  It has not been fun.  I don't understand this sickness in the middle of the summer.  It just ruins everything. 

But I think we're all finally over it.  And I am so grateful.  Because after next week, we have some big summer plans (including my High School reunion and a trip to Hells Canyon)....and we don't need to be dealing with sickness for all that.

I'm so grateful for all we have.  And I really do love summer.