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!