Elba, Idaho

Part of our journey to Burley included seeing Cole's old stomping grounds just around the bend in Elba.

When we pulled up to the Nelson homestead Phil said, "Oh, when did we pass Elba?"

That's the beauty of it folks. Elba is so small and quaint. We loved spending time there.

We got a private tour from Paula Nelson herself and she told us all about the history of the place.

I love homes with a story!

It was big, open and beautifully serene. We truly felt like we had stepped back in time.

We also got to tour the old mine that Cole's uncle has so beautifully restored. 

To learn more about the labor of love visit here.

I could have stayed there for hours and listened to all the stories about the place. So much fun and so much history. I would love to jump back in time to see places like this in their hay day.

I conveniently forgot my camera that day but it probably was better so we could just enjoy our time exploring. Luckily, cell phones can take a few pics for memory's sake.

A little bit about the builder of the house: Peer Mc-Intire built it for his wife after he fell in love with the area. When Peer brought his wife, Tess, to their new home, she didn't hold the same fascination for the place as her husband did and left shortly thereafter.

The home was advanced for its time. It had electricity and running water through an easement from Albion in 1920. The city of Elba didn't have electricity until 1940! After spending $1 million on the mine, Mc-Intire closed it in 1920. The mansion was left with the china in the closet and bedding on the beds as if someone was still living there.

Here's just half of the huge front porch.

The mansion has a living area of 5,400 square feet, three levels each with 1,800 square feet. The original owner, Peer McIntire, hired an artist who handpainted the living room walls with a floral design. Jones traced the pattern and colors from the original walls. Each room's handpainted designs were meticulously restored.

I'm glad we got a picture of this beautiful stove...I love it though!

 

And a view of the place from the side. It is massive!

Told you - pictures are less than satisfying but it was amazing. It was certainly a fun part of our getaway.

Thanks again Jamie and Cole!

Burley Idaho

Life brings a lot of firsts...first steps, first solid food, first day of school, first love etc.

All so memorable and touching. 

But folks, none as memorable as the first time your foreign hubs sees a real life cowboy.

Run down:

Phil's glance around turns into wide eyes.

Wide eyes turns into a wide-eyed stare.

Mouth drops open.

"Kaylee, they actually live and dress like this. In REAL life."

And then you walk into the county fair's photography display and a pleased with this masterpiece...

Yesir. That most certainly is a bride and a gun and a truck.

and the only response I can muster is, "Phil, it's Burley, Idaho!"

Yes folks, that's about all we could say many-a-time throughout our weekend.

You see, it was the only explanation we could give.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's the real reason we came to Burley. These two beauts...

Jamie and Cole. Jamie is one of the best people you'll ever meet. 

We bonded our freshman year with help from mutual friends Pocahontas and Clark Kent. thanks guys!

So naturally we had to go to Burley, Idaho to see them. Luck would have it that our visit was during the Cassia Country fair.

Well, not luck, more like elegant planning on mine and Jamie's part. We knew Phil needed to experience this and by golly was it an experience!

Jamie and Cole gave us the grand tour. We were at the fair every day taking it all in. Remember old time county fairs? Burley has kept it real.

Judging of pies? Check.

Judging of home grown flowers? Check.

Judging of fruits and veggies? Check.

Complete with ribbons and all.

We feel like we the whole experience because one night we meandered into Idaho Falls for a ritzy wedding reception. Sure we had to drive on a 90 degree slope to get there and peek in the door to make sure we were in the right place but we made it and it was gorgeous.

It was down in the canyon and had a beautiful view and the food consisted of salmon, prime rib and endless desserts.

We couldn't get over how posh we felt, even in Idaho. Who would've thought?

And then it was straight back to Burley for night one of the rodeo.

Gee whiz was it a ro-dee-O!

We were laughing, ooing, gawking, laughing, eating, learning, yearning, churning, burning....

ok minus the last few but we were educated by Cole as to what gets points and what a "broken barrier" is.

Speaking of broken barriers, definitely was included in the pre-rodeo prayer along with the beautiful pastures in heaven above with knee high grass and horses.

Can I have an AMEN?

Anyway, we had so much fun and seriously were in love with the wild cow chase and the rodeo queens/princesses. Phil just kept shaking his head in unbelief. Oh my foreigner. :)

I'll let the video Phil made do the rest of the talking. Just realize that the way the contestants are dressed is really how everyone was dressed there. We were certainly the odd ones out in our shorts and t-shirts.
Plus we didn't have a cowboy hat or belt buckle.
ps. a belt buckle was the reward for the wild cow chase. You tell me if you think it's worth it after watching the vid...

And that's one side of Burley...to be continued!

Yellowstone 2010

What you're about to see may be painful.

Just bear with me as I put you through picture vomit.

Once you go to Yellowstone, you'll understand.

This is us.  Yours truly, the Perucca clan.

At Yellostone.

Minus the two big brutes, Nicholas and B-ray.

Oh Yellowstone was soooo grand.  It was candy, or should I say "lollies" to the eye.

See what I mean?

But our vay-cay to Wyoming started in a much more quaint place.

1960's?  CHECK.

In the middle of nowhere? CHECK.

Perfect for our family vay-cay? CHECK.

My great aunt and uncle's cabin was definitely an adventure.  It felt like we'd stepped back in time.

Even a friendly 1961 Friend magazine welcomed us.

We stayed there for three days and loved every minute of it.

Now on with the picture vomit!

Mars?...nope!  Just Yellowstone!

BUFFALOOOOOOOO!
Want to touch them?  No problem, just not highly recommended.
But they were definitely close enough.
Such beaut isn't he?

Poor fella.  Looks like somebody hacked his haircut.

The water was so blue!

This place was just magical.

Here's Jocey at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
It certainly was grand!

These are our bubbling buddies.  I could just watch and giggle each time they went "blumb!".  Kinda wish it didn't smell like sulfur though!

Hello, would you like a photo here?

...or perhaps here?

...or here?

...ooooorrrr here?

Come on! All the cool kids are doing it!

This is probably one of my favoritest moments.  I smile when I look at this photo.

Ever heard of Old Faithful?

We have!

Here we wait for the old geyser to give way...

...apparently we're not the only ones.

BLAST OFF!

Contrary to picture viewing belief, the geyser was really big and it didn't come out of Phil's head.

mmmmmmm

Bear print off the side of the trail.

Philly boy has a love for small fluffy rodents.  

See?

He's very intent on finding a little chipmunk.

  

Once Phil found one of his buddies, he'd follow it all around.

Cute!

The girlies!

This is our elk-friend-guy.  Such a nice ole chap just eating the day away.

Can you believe that we saw much more wildlife that I could snap a photo of?
Spoiled little explorers we are!
But do not fret, I've left the best for last.
A GRIZZLY BEAR!
They're rarely seen at Yellowstone and bless our hearts, we saw a momma bear and her two cubs!
They were so cute and cuddly...but we didn't cuddle of course.

See the cubs! Awe! I want a baby bear!

and THAT my friends, was our trip to Yellowstone.

Whew you made it through my picture vomit- commentary and all!

Thanks folks!

~July 14-16, 2010~

ps...watch out for giant flies in Wyoming!