The Search for Big Game in St. Joe National Forest

Despite the crazy weather on Tuesday (rain, snow and multiple bouts of hail) Greg, Dixie and I piled in the truck and drove about an hour northeast to visit St. Joe National Forest on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation. No hiking today, just a drive along a 17 mile forest service road that ran along the ridge of three mountains and an Idaho state park. We enjoyed views from Mineral Mountain (4128ft), Mission Mountain (4324ft), and Iron Mountain. We found a few good places to camp in Mary Minerva McCroskey Memorial State Park that stretched across all three mountains. We did not, however, spot any big game. :( A few different groups of turkeys was the extent of our wildlife viewing. It was good to be among trees again though! This is another spot that is worth a drive to for anyone who comes to visit us. Check out the pictures.

We had almost made it to the end of the park - just 1 1/2 miles left - when we had to turn around and go all the way back out the way we came because of leftover snow drifts that blocked the narrow road. Although you can't tell in this picture, the hillside dropped straight down just to the right of the snow drifts. One slip and we would've been in some big trouble. You can see where another vehicle started to drive through the drift and then changed their minds and backed out as well.

Also, we could only see two of the three camping areas because of snow. We made a valiant effort to get to this campsite (which looked like it would be the best one) but had to back out of it as well because of the deep leftover snow. Stay tuned for more pictures later this week or the beginning of next week. Saturday's weather is supposed to be great, so we're hoping to get a night of camping in somewhere!

And finally, it was Christmas yet again for Greg. His fancy new motorcycle jacket arrived today. He was so excited when it was delivered that he gave the UPS guy some hot out of the oven brownies! Here are pictures of the new jacket and helmet.