Idaho-Utah trip! Idaho first...

It's getting late so I don't know how much real writing I'll do right now. Ron just crawled into bed. I wanted to get some photos posted of our recent trip at least. They're mostly self explanatory. I believe the photo to the left was taken south of Superior, Montana... or in that general vicinity. We took a different route than usual since we were dropping directly into Rexburg to see Karen and Niklas (delivered some of her things). Our first night was spent in Coeur d'Alene, near where my parents attended high school and met one another (Dalton Gardens). The next day we traveled through Montana and where many of the Hough relatives had settled and lived. I have fond memories of a trip to the Missoula area when I was ten. It so happened there was terrible flooding that year and the president declared Montana a disaster area. We were all out joy riding and looking at the amazing flood damage and heard this news after returning to my great uncle's motel at Nine Mile!

There will be some photos taken along the way below. Ron was making pretty quick time on the freeway and I had to open the window for picture taking and shoot into the sort of breeze that happens at 75 to 80 mph. =:o All things considered, some of the pictures weren't too bad.

It was great to see the girls and their new husbands... and the family in Idaho Falls. Trudy's husband, Jeff, was finally back from his deployment and he brought photos for people to see. I was so busy taking photos that I don't think I saw the ones he brought! We gathered at the care facility where Bessie is staying and celebrated the twins' birthdays while there. I forget how old they are now... but they are looking great! Who cares? ;-)

Hmm.... I had all kinds of photos dropped in but the auto-save was not working. So... nothing took and I'll have to start that over. :-/

Since we shared the need for frequent stops, we saw some pretty country at the various rest areas. There are some perks to getting off the freeway once in awhile!

I believe this one was near the Continental Divide and there had been a snowstorm the week before.
Ron grabbed a snack at this one and while we were stopped we unknowingly took on an unwanted "hitchhiker." This required stopping the car a mile down the road and vacating while we tried to coax the wasp out of the back window. I didn't like the prospect of him landing on or under the driver while we were hurtling down the freeway at high speed.

I think these mountains are in Idaho. Loved the scenery during this stretch of road.

Due to us not realizing the GPS was still set to Washington time, we arrived in Rexburg in the evening... an hour later than expected. Soon after landing, we left for town where we gassed up Karen's car and went to Winger's to grab some dinner. The kids were quite happy to do this, since they like to get out of the apartment and are on a newlywed's budget right now. ;-) Karen is working for a firm in Idaho Falls (accounting) and Niklas just picked up a seasonal job at Circuit City. He'll only do this until he starts school in January. At that time he'll resume working part time for the catering department. They don't employ students during their "off" term.

On Sunday evening we converged at Turtle & Crane where Ron's mother is staying and had a family gathering. I'll drop in the photos from that. Trudy and Judy came with some of their children and significant others. A dog was part of the group also, but Grandma Miller was not too thrilled with his exuberance so Brent grabbed him and left before he got in on the cake and dessert eating. Bessie had not been feeling so well that day and just wanted to sleep (she is 97 years old). The care worker had her hands full getting her up so she'd be ready to receive guests.
In this photo, you can see Bessie to the left and her great-granddaughter, Krista, in the foreground. Judy and her boyfriend are chatting at the back of the room. He seemed like a nice fellow.
Next shot is of Ron, looking at Jeff's photos from his deployment.

That's Trudy to the left and her husband, Jeff, to the right of Niklas.

Here is Judy with her oldest and youngest children... Brent and Krista (sure hope I'm spelling that correctly). He sure reminded me of is Grandpa Dell (Sharen's late husband) in this picture.
Three generations - Sharen with her mother and granddaughter, Trudy, to the right.

Judy and Trudy, Sharen's twins. Trudy and Jeff were slated to attend a Donny and Marie Osmond concert in Las Vegas on the 22nd of October (to celebrate her birthday). I hope they had a great time.

Not sure if I can stay awake for the Utah leg of the trip... If not they'll go up in the morning... well... later in the morning. ;-)