Spring time in Idaho

[marnold***]

It was so nice last week when I was in MN. I come home yesterday and today to snow. Blech. At least it's supposed to be back near 70 by the end of the week.

[just strum]

It's around 50 for the next couple of days, with night time lows in the mid 30's. Friday its 75+ and Saturday is suppose to be a little warmer. I need to install the cutting deck on the tractor before the neighbors start to complain.

[Childbride]

got in the 90's today

[ducks... runs]

[Spudman***]

Still popping up

[sunvalleylaw]

Our daffodils and tulips aren't blossoming yet over here, though the crocuses finally showed their heads. Trees are just starting to pop their buds (no full leaves showing yet), and I have my first round of springtime sneezing. ;-)

[Bloozcat]

It was 57 degrees at my house this morning. That doesn't sound bad, I know, but this is Florida and it's April 22nd. This has been the coolest winter I can remember. Not the coldest in terms of individual cold days, but in the number cool days vs. warm days. I've only had the A/C on maybe 4 times since late last October. I wish every winter was like this one.

[Spudman***]

Just went for a hike above the house with the whole sack of Spuds and found some wildflowers.

[street music]

Spud, my wife wants to know what kind the yellow flower is, I don't recall seeing that bloom around Kentucky at this time of year??

[sunvalleylaw]

That is most likely Balsam Root, pretty common this time of year in the inland empire/northern intermountain area.http://www.acclaimimages.com/_galler...1713-3046.html It is sometimes called Arrowleaf. http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washin...arrowleaf.aspx (I sound like Cliff Claven now. : )

The other one is Phlox. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...num=3&ct=image

[street music]

Thanks Sun, We have never been out west so that Balsam root is new to us.

[sunvalleylaw]

Sure, Street. Around here, it is found mostly on sunny slope hillsides, mixed in with the sage, and other flowers, and contrasts nicely with the new grass that is still green at that time of year. It seems to peak in May or so in the Sun Valley area. Some years, it can turn the entire hillside yellow. Other years, it just provides some nice yellow accents. It is the largest wildflower I can think of we find around here.

[sunvalleylaw]

Just thought I would share some shots I from the way back from court today. Springtime in Idaho indeed! (BTW, it is still legal to use a cell phone and drive in Idaho ;-))










(yes that is snow blowing onto the windshield)

[street music]

Sun- keep that stuff out west. In Kentucky using a cell phone means that you are placing your free call from jail.

[Spudman***]

I never know the names of these but they sure look nice.

[Spudman***]

It finally got semi nice today. It was 50 degrees by 10:30 so I took off for a 52 mile bike ride and took a small camera with me. It was just a nice spring day.

New spring babies


This is looking across the valley south of town at Pebble Creek Ski Area


The low spot is a drainage called Robber's Roost. It's narrow and steep especially at the end.


There is a small creek in the foreground called Marsh Creek. It's a major stop on migratory routes and today was primarily geese, pelicans and raptors. In a few weeks it will be humongous sand hill cranes.

[Childbride]

Spud, the longest i ever went was 30 miles. good ride. i miss that.

beautiful pics.

[Spudman***]

I went to pick up my daughter at the school bus stop and the city was clearing out their lines. These guys wanted a drink.

[Spudman***]

Logged a little road time by riding up to Crystal Summit. It's about 2,000 feet higher than the town. There was a little updraft from the valley as the air was heating up so I couldn't get out of the 40s on the way down. Usually I can get up to 51-54 mph. Fun!:

The air is super fragrant with blossoms right now. It was like riding with cotton candy packed into my nose. Sweetness with every breath.

Going up


Going down


The max


My reward for not crashing

[Spudman***]

Mrs. Spud and I decided to get high today. So we pretty much went straight up. It was a perfect day with the high around 85 and a mild breeze. Elevation gain was around 2,000 feet and we went straight up the ridge. Brutal! Totally worth it though. The temps on top were much cooler and the view was awesome. I've never seen the valley from this perspective.

We went up the ridge just to the right of the snow. It's much steeper and higher than it looks here.


Found this little guy down low and the other guy too. They were every where and we constantly had to check.


Scary!


Scout Mountain - we got married there


This is Robber's Roost from almost the same angle as the bike riding photo earlier in the thread.


There were lots of mountain flowers out too. We had to get pretty far up before we found the really good ones.