Stanley and Sun Valley, ID

Made it to Leach Botanical Garden leaving Portland. An adorable fawn prancing through the ferns.

And wow! Scenic! Gorgeous drive the long way along Rte 21. Cabin on Salmon River with front view of the Sawtooth Mountains. 

Lots of dogs, kids, pickup trucks at Redfish Lake Lodge. Had a picnic dinner on their beach, listening to live music. Then gratefully returned to our separate, quiet cabin down the road. Night stars and the Milky Way! Hurrah! Central Idaho first dark sky designation. Makes sense.

Took a relaxing float trip down the river, watching the osprey overhead and the mountains and ranches on the shore. It’s like adult camp, with so much to do outside.

Found the local organic bakery and cafe, annual craft fair and library. Stanley feels unreal, like a movie set - all log cabins gridded out, catering to outdoorsy tourists. Scenic though!

Took a short detour to Craters of the Moon National Preserve. Eerie lava fields from thousands of years ago, oozed out through fissures in the earth.

Explored Sun Valley and Ketchum, and found the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. Member reciprocity strikes again, yay! I have to say, this part of the country is gorgeous - large ranches, mountains, rivers, curvy roads, no traffic lights, big blue sky. You can breathe out here. And, apparently, Idaho has the clearest air in the lower 48.