It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

No wonder Fred's cranky

OK, this itching was driving everyone to distraction..... so we went to Sun Valley Animal Center to see (no kidding) Dr. Heidi Woog.

She is a vet who does acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, pet lodge and spa with day hikes, and seances (JK LOL on that last one).  They really take their dogs seriously here.

So, Fred's underside is full of bug bites-- apparently lots of dogs are coming in with these, but they are not sure what kind of bug it is. Maybe chiggers.

Hey, I remember those from summer nights when we played Ghost in the Graveyard in our front yard. This was right before we would run through the cloud  behind the Mosquito Truck  as it drove by---hmmm explains a lot..

OK,  back to Fred---

When we mentioned that our Fred was a little out of sorts, she actually did a chiropractic adjustment on him!!

Holey Moley!!!!  She said his back and legs probably were sore- she fixed a couple of things...

All this for $35.00!!!

Wow, it's a dog's life.

Where is Freddy, You Ask?

Fred is feeling a little sulky these days. Maybe it's the bug bites, maybe it's the long bumpy car rides, maybe it's the never ending elk and their nightly shenanigans, maybe he's homesick.

Well, he does get to have a LITTLE BIT OF FUN, sometimes

Having a good shake in the sand

Enjoying a good game of fetch, in the water, no less!

Wading in a lakeSplashing in a stream

Posing for a genuine Lab moment

Maybe he prefers the easy life?

Idaho Ghost Towns-- Where even the Ghosts are Dead

I actually stole that line from one of the volunteer workers at the Ketchum Ranger Station. Also turns out he is a long lost many time removed cousin, who made it out to Pocatello, Idaho many many years ago!
Small World. Oh, and may I say, the National Forest and Parks Service are one place in these United States where our tax dollars are being spent on something wonderful. Looove the Rangers, the trails, and especially the public restrooms (no graffiti, clean, available).

Which brings me to our GREAT FIND!!!!  Vienna City, a mining town which lasted less than a decade.
There is only one ramshackle cabin:

And a bunch of partial foundations. But the archaeologist in me kept searching, and next to a big tree, and a stream (YUCK), I found this:

Whoa, an outhouse!!!! Great views, and all the privacy you could want.

Anyway, this town was located in one of the most gorgeous valleys around:

And of course, there was lunch at Smiley Creek, on the way:

More photos from the coolest ranch ever!

This ranch has just the most awesome entry. The fella hanging on the bar changes clothes daily. Today he is wearing camouflage, holding a shotgun, with a Budweiser box hanging off his arm. The driveway is scattered with empty Bud cans.

Dogs Who Know There is FOOD Somewhere nearby

Mountain Beauty

SO many beautiful places:

Coolest Ranch Entrance

A Day's Work

Go for a hike


Take a dip

Eat Lunch

Rest

Go back

Please Sir, May I have something to eat?

Possibly the most peaceful place on earth.....

Well, we took a trip to a place called Stanley ID. This area was designated the Sawtooth National Recreation Area  (SNRA) in 1972, an area larger than Rhode Island! Homes were torn down to retain the pristine look of the area and new homes can only be built under VERY strict restrictions. I saw maybe 10 new homes since I was last here 10 years ago.   Anything new must look old, and in no way affect the look of the valley, but blend in. Somehow this area escaped the Mc Mansion craze of the 90's....
Ranchers are given free split logs to use as fencing rather than barbed wire. This is truly the West of your imagination.

Stanley Lake is a beautiful lake and meadow at over 6500 ft....The silence is awesome. Even the stream is quiet.  No motors, no birds, few animals. The air and water here is some of the purest in the country.

The proof was this: Freddy went swimming in the stream, and rather than coming out smelling like a WET DOG, he came out smelling like a sweet new puppy. Two days later, he still smells good!

Between Sun Valley and Stanley, there is a clean little roadside motel, cottage and restaurant called Smiley Creek. Remember Hamburgers and French Fries the way they used to be???????? Remember when people didn't put bubbly coatings and stupid orange spices on your French Fries????? Remember when they just tasted like potatoes fried in grease SHOULD taste?????????? Well, this is your place if you agree. YUMYUMYUM. Nothing like the perfect French Fry!

Oh, and they have a big scary bear at Smiley Creek too!