I have returned!  My pre-planned winter vacations have now come to an end.  The last trip was to Idaho.  I got to break out my winter gear.  I do love my hat.

I know there are some people that don’t like the hat, but I say it’s way better than this one:

I say boo to this hat.  I do.  Anyway…it was the end of the Ice Festival in McCall.  Much like in Minnesota people made stuff out of snow.  Then, of course there is a judging.  This year’s theme was Wild Idaho.  This one didn’t win anything, but it made me laugh:

Overall it was a really great time.  I had fancy food: rachlette.  Went for walks in the winter wonderland known as the golf course, and even visited the mountain.  Next time I am snowboarding I swear.  Full photo album linked with the photo below.

Last week I went on vacation to the great state of Idaho.  That’s right, Idaho.  It’s like Colorado only more-so.  Colorado on drugs.  The day I arrived we went to see A Comedy of Errors at the Shakespeare Festival. It was really quite good.  I don’t think Tuesday Guy is still doing the sets as I didn’t see his name listed.  We had a box seat, which meant we got a table and enjoyed a picnic dinner before the show (chicken, salad, and lots of wine).

The next evening Kake (Katie & Jake) and I went to see the Denim & Diamonds tour of Found Magazine.  It was everything I wanted and more.  Some of me wanted nothing more than to have mad make-outs with Davy Rothbart, while the other part kept thinking ooo how 8 Mile.

On Thursday we packed up and headed to McCall for the true maxing and relaxing.  The lift at Brundage was free that day so we headed to the top to enjoy the view.

After words we headed back to the cabin where Kake & I dominated at Trivial Pursuit.  The parents rued that choice of games.  The next morning Jake went golf with the parents and left Katie & I to go adventuring on our own.  We walked to downtown McCall and saw pretty much one of every imaginable person.  We saw a guy under house arrest and a little person as well as one dirty hippie and a cheerleader to name a few.  We ended up at the microbrewery and had a few beers.  We got back to the house in time to get a recap of the golf game and help with dinner.  Kake and I went back downtown after a rousing game of Apples to Apples for ice cream.

The following day was the 4th of July.  I got up and went to Davis beach to hang out with all the kids (5 18 year olds–my cousin John & his friends).  I headed back to the cabin for lunch and then went on a hike with my aunt.  We had a great time and stayed on the trail 75% of the time.  I had a green huckleberry right off a plant.  It was lots of fun.  When we got back to the cabin a bunch of Kake’s friends were there.  We grilled and hung out till the old folks sent us to get a spot on the beach for the fireworks.

Post fireworks we got a fire going in the pit and cooked up some smores.  They were pretty tasty.

The following day it poured rain in the morning so everyone (14 of us) ended up watching Wimbledon and had a big breakfast.  Kake went back to Boise that afternoon and the parents and I went shopping, had ribs for dinner and then played 9 holes of golf (I rode in the cart) while it stormed.  It was an excellent day in safety.

The next day we packed up to head back to Boise.  I headed out for last minute shopping while the boys packed up.  When I got back the boys were gone, but they had left a note:

I can’t wait to go back.  Who wants to go on a float trip next summer?