you rode along for, a 1,000-mile drive to Challis Idaho. Cora and Deacon
you did great, Quinn…. you did good. Sometimes you felt the need to remind us
of your unhappiness during our car ride odyssey by screaming/ crying for about
20min or so before falling asleep. We stayed in Cedar City UT on the way up and
back. You all got a kick out of the hotel as usual, and eating out at “fancy”
restaurants- aka Chilies! We did have ice cream at a cool place where they
freeze it in front of you with nitrogen.
We accompanied the Bishop family for this trip. Mr. Sean as I call him
has been going ever since he was little to a ranch called the Flying B. The “B”
is located in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness along the middle
fork of the Salmon River. To get there we took a Cessna 210 which was piloted
rather excellently by a man named Mark- mostly good people share that
name. I was a little nervous about the
flight as if something goes wrong in mountain flying you don’t have a ton of
options to get it fixed…. Or to land somewhere flat. In any case we made a
smooth landing on the grass field by the river as intended.
The first thing we went to do was catch some fish. Deacon and Cora, you
had not yet ever caught one, despite at least two attempts at Lynx Lake in
Prescott. Well it only took about 10 min before each of you got to reel one in!
I was relieved as I had promised you we would all catch at least one. The best
way to catch them was fly fishing so Mr. Sean let you each reel in a few more
that he hooked. I actually caught my first fish through fly fishing there as
well, it was pretty fun. You guys all crashed hard that night after running
around and playing all day. We had a beautiful cabin overlooking the river and
hills surrounding it.
Horseback riding was next on the agenda. Cora, you had been eyeballing a
white horse with some light black markings named Paul, and sure enough you got
to ride him. Deacon you were on Fuzzy, with a lead rope connected to Mom who
was on Ziggy. Quinn, you sat in my lap and we rode Clancy. We crossed the river
over a narrow bridge, at which point Mr. Seans horse, Digger started acting up
and wanting to go back home. He was not a very good horse but thankfully Mr. Sean
knew how to handle him. I ended up leading the pack as Clancy was a pretty good
paced lead horse. We rode along some beautiful country following the river. In
one spot I was not particularly fond of we were basically on the side of a
steep drop off down to the river below- didn’t enjoy that too much at all!
Thankfully we had a snack and returned home safely and I was fairly relieved
after getting off! I don’t know if I care too much for horses at this current
time in life.
We spent our remaining days fishing, playing at the beach, playing with
other kids that were guests and just generally enjoying being outdoors and
disconnected from the world. The ranch had no phone or internet service. I read
my book on the French and Indian War, talked with friends and travelers as they
came through and just enjoyed the downtime. There were two backpackers that
came in from Hamilton MT, a place I have thought about moving before… perhaps
it was a sign! It was strange not seeing any news or generally caring about
what else was going on. Being disconnected really helped you just be present in
the moments and enjoy a different pace of life. One of those things I often
think about when I consider moves to a smaller town or less demanding career.
Being out in the wild has always been a place of joy and peace for me.
Now in this circumstance we had most of the comforts of home, but regardless
its just being outside the hustle of the city and its demands on your attention
and mind. I often wish I could just work a small plot of land and do a side job
to make enough money to live comfortably. The longer I live the less I want
riches, unless the end of them is to bring me the freedom for my time I desire.
It was great seeing the three of you enjoy it so much as well and be brave and
adventuresome. I loved the family time and can’t wait until we go to lake Tahoe
in a few weeks.
Cora- you cried the night before we left and the morning we left. It was
so sweet, and reminded me of how I often feel when things that bring joy are
coming to a conclusion. You were going to miss Paul, and all the other horses,
miss fishing and playing by the river, and just being outdoors. You were such a
big girl this week, riding your own horse, feeding all the horses, helping in
the kitchen, holding a fish without flinching. You made me very proud, like you
always do. You also helped me in my Frisbee throwing skills which I seem to have
forgotten from childhood! The day before and morning we left you took around
your camera we got you for Christmas and took a bunch of pictures. What
interested me is how much you cared about the lighting, the angles, and
setting. You have a good eye and were very keen to capture the things you
thought were beautiful and worth remembering.
Quinn- my sweet and sometimes full of attitude little girl. One thing ill
say before it slips my mind, one day at the ranch you were upset with Cash and
Deacon as they were evidently not paying enough attention to you- so you walked
away a little bit and laid down in the dirt to show your disapproval. It was
pretty funny, we left you there until you realized no one cared about the fit
you were pitching. You have all this hair that just bobs around with you as you
fearlessly take on the world. You loved the horses, I think they were just big
dogs to you. You complained to mom when they wouldn’t come to you a few times-
but they often did and when you had food that helped even more. Cash and you
had a few quarrels but overall you were often side by side playing. The first
morning we were there you woke me up in the morning bright eyed and ready to
go. You give us all sweet hugs and kisses when it suits you, and you act like
the boss most of the time. My fearless little firecracker.
