LUCKY CLOVERLEAF!

We returned to Inkom on Monday, August 4 having spent a relaxing and delightful five nights in the Caribou-Targhee/Cache National Forest Campground near the Minnetonka Cave. The Cloverleaf camp is located about 4 miles from this cave and about 8 miles from St. Charles, Idaho.

Our original camping goal didn't work out. The state parks along the shores of Bear Lake were completely booked for the weekend. We could have camped there Wed/Thurs nights, leaving us nowhere to go once Friday morning came. So, we toodled around with camper in tow until we found Cloverleaf. (Actually, I'd found information about it and two others online before we left)

A few observations about camping in ID vs MI:

+The ID website for state parks not only gives descriptions of available sites, as does MI, it also gives PICTURES of every one . . . so you can "see" what you're getting before hand. And, campsites are quite a bit larger than those we encountered in MI state parks.

- The ID website was down for 10 days prior to our departure, so even though we knew where we wanted to go, we were unable via the internet or phone to make a reservation.

+ The National Forest Service campgrounds out here are pretty awesome. Our site was very large, included an asphalt pad for parking the camper, a concrete pad for the picnic table, a fire ring AND a separate barbeque grill, running water and flush toilets . . . all for 10 bucks a night! Plus, Cloverleaf only has 18 sites so it was pretty quiet most of the time!

- Lack of electrical hook-ups doesn't bother us. However, those folks who insist on bringing hard-side upscale RV's to rustic campgrounds are perplexing. Why bring (as did some folks next to us) a Greyhound-chassis size RV that had to have cost $200K or more to a rustic campground, and then allow the rest of us to listen to their GENERATOR??? What happened to peace and quiet? Sigh.

The trip for us was one of discovery. Although we have passed through the area several times, we have not spent much time there. . . always on the way to the Jurgens' (and excited to be so close) or on the way home (and sad to be leaving).

After setting up the camper on Wednesday, we toured Minnetonka Cave. Another bargain; a 1.5 hour tour for $5.00 each! We've toured caves before, and this one was no disappointment.

Thursday was a beach day at Bear Lake State Park. We're still learning about this naturally occurring lake (vs the many manmade reservoirs found out here). Folks who have "beach front" homes generally also have a quad runner to get to the beach! Houses are set back nearly a quarter mile. I overheard one local fellow speaking with someone and he remarked: "Two years ago the beach was 500 yards further out." We don't yet understand what causes the tremendous fluctuation in water levels.

Glenn's new dental hygienist suggested we visit Bloomington Lake, so we did that on Friday. A beautiful drive through Bloomington Canyon along a dirt/gravel road for 8-10 miles, followed by about a 3/4 mile hike. We found the sub-alpine lake as well as a camp of Boy Scouts! The Scouts were participating in "team races" which consisted of lots of running, rappelling and mountain biking. The lake was gorgeous -- water so crystal clear we stood for an hour just watching the trout swim by and grab insects. We picnicked there and swam, too. Along one part of the shore, the winter snowfall was still melting into the lake!

Saturday we set out to drive a forest road across a pass to Beaver Mountain ski area. It didn't work out. The term forest "road" is quite open to interpretation. However, we did drive south into Utah and found Swan Valley Flats Road. This was pretty good, but another serendipitious moment. We found a great pullout site, set up our camp chairs and picnicked again. This time, we looked across the canyon at Beaver Mountain, an area we've skiied once before with Meghan. We are not yet used to the different and breathtaking scenery of the west.

The last full day of our trip we spent hiking. A trail leading from the Cloverleaf Campground took us to the summit of a nearby, unnamed, peak. The walk, for the most part, rose gradually uphill. But, given the climate of "high desert" we raised lots of dust on the ten-mile (roundtrip) hike. I am still curious and interested in the "open range" grazing policies of the National Forest Service. About one-quarter mile from the summit, we encountered "wildlife" -- free range cows! The local paper has been carrying some articles and op/ed pieces recently about the practice of allowing farmers to obtain/purchase free-range permits for grazing of sheep and cattle. Having seen first-hand, even in our limited experience, the havoc these animals can cause in the forest, we're beginning to understand why so many are opposed to the practice.

Hiking back down from the summit was much easier, but still dusty and HOT! At about mile 9 of 10, I told Glenn to pick his spot for a bath. Having had the foresight to bring a small bar of soap and hotel-size containers of shampoo and conditioner (and to wear my bathing suit under my hiking clothes), we paused for a dip in the St. Charles Creek. The water was rushing, clear and COLD but oh so refreshing! The last mile was a piece of cake.

And so, we have now returned to Inkom where our grandson's expected date is two weeks from today. The family room hearth is lined with the many accroutrements of parenting -- stroller, car seat, bouncer, play gym, fold 'n go bed and boppy pillow. And the bath tub. Meghan's OB reports that said grandson is "Not quite ready, but he is in the 'go' position."

In the meantime, house is moving along again. Plumbers have installed the rough plumbing and set the bathtubs and shower stall in place. The HVAC people were seen headed up the hill early this morning so we are presuming the furnace, AC and ductwork are going in. We are to meet with the electrician later in the week to discuss positioning for outlets and such. The press to make decisions will be heightening soon. . . probably just when said grandson chooses to make his appearance!

In the "for what it's worth" category, Glenn called on a propane supplier today. The PPG we were quoted is $2.24; 15 cents less per gallon than we paid in Michigan in April. I guess that's good news. Also, we've learned that auto licenses are much less expensive here ($106 for TWO years on my Explorer). The sales tax rate (6%) is the same, but in Idaho groceries are also taxed -- we paid $15+ in sales tax at the grocery store yesterday. Also, unlike Michigan, our pensions are subject to income tax BUT in Idaho there is no requirement to pre-pay taxes -- so we can wait until tax time to pay what we will owe for the second half of the year. In the long run, we'll probably break even -- it remains to be seen until we've been here a bit and can evaluate further.

Taxes notwithstanding, being here for the birth of our grandbaby: priceless!