A pic or two, thought I would share.....

[Little Big Lost]

My engine has been on a roll for the last 2.5 weeks. We’ve been on fires for 17 days in a row and are looking like we’ll hit 21 days straight and have to take two paid days off👍.

Looking like a busy summer.

Wow.... just WOW!! Incredible shots!

I fill in for the guys who need a few days off, 10 days at a time. They went back to ND last year to haul water and oil.....you can imagine how that turned out....so back to the fires this year. I'll be called out soon......

[Little Big Lost]

Worked and played yesterday...


Looking down towards the eagle nest....it's down there somewhere...




Will do the same today.....

[Little Big Lost]

MB riding again today. Went over the handlebars. First thing to hit the ground was my head. Broke the helmet, a full face. A little blood here and there with my left eye feeling a little swollen. Might get a sweet black eye out of the deal. Right elbow feeling a bit sore too. Going again tomorrow!

I ride with Patrol much of the time...like today, probably a good thing!

[Micol]

sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you are relatively ok. As a biker here in mountains, breaking a helmet sounds bad. I am just not sure if it is good bad or bad bad. Good bad would be you are relatively good shape after fall. Bad bad would be the hemet broke. Would you be willing to share more about the fall and helmet 411? I understand if not...

[Little Big Lost]

sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you are relatively ok. As a biker here in mountains, breaking a helmet sounds bad. I am just not sure if it is good bad or bad bad. Good bad would be you are relatively good shape after fall. Bad bad would be the hemet broke. Would you be willing to share more about the fall and helmet 411? I understand if not...

Thanks! Not a problem. Ended up relatively unscathed, right elbow hurts the worst, and I have no idea why...fell on my left side, so go figure.

First I should maybe clarify to all, I am no mountain biker. I can get from the top to the bottom, but that is about all. It's fun, but on a scale of 1 to 10 it rates right in there at around 6 for me. Snowboarding? 10 doesn't even come close, maybe 10 times more fun...to me.

Look at it like this, I'm the MB equivalent to the beginner snowboarder who board slides the entire mountain. I am beginning to understand how to adjust the bikes to match the terrain , and the type of rider, but I am certainly no expert. But if you want to know about snowboarding, well, I'm your guy.

That is probably my problem, too much fun on a snowboard, I don't ever see myself as a badass mountain biker, to old now to really safely figure it out. I'll stick to my main source of entertainment, we romp that shit.

I was just going into a left hand berm, probably a little off the right trajectory, and the bike just went out from under me. Instantly, no time to react. It was like I had hit a piece of ice. WHAM! First thing to hit the ground was my head. I normally wear one of the 'regular' bike helmets. That day I had grabbed one of the new full faced rentals. Not a top of the line brand, fairly cheap I understand, but it probably saved me from a broken orbit (left eye). The visor broke in about 4 pieces, and after inspecting the rest of the helmet, found a little crack close to where my left eyebrow lines up with the helmet. You get the picture. Broke the left lens of my cheap sunglasses.

The hill is mainly dirt, but I happened to hit an embedded boulder, sicking out of the ground about 2 inches, just above the trail. Hard. Rang my bell.

Not going to stop me though. It's all good.

To all I would recommend a full face, a nice one.

The wife calls me Doc Brown.

[Micol]

^glad you're relatively ok, thanks for that update and detail. don't underestimate low speed impacts...they can be bad. i hit a slick rock back 8+ years ago on a yz450 or 400 on a high mtn pass (mosquito pass - yep motorized allowed yee haw!) less than 10 mph where my head took the first shot on a rock and i had to get hauled out by passing jeepsters, a hospital visit and used a cane for a while...plus i think i have like chernobyl effect from mri and like 8 chest x-rays....

stay safe...check for concussions...

[Little Big Lost]

^glad you're relatively ok, thanks for that update and detail. don't underestimate low speed impacts...they can be bad. i hit a slick rock back 8+ years ago on a yz450 or 400 on a high mtn pass (mosquito pass - yep motorized allowed yee haw!) less than 10 mph where my head took the first shot on a rock and i had to get hauled out by passing jeepsters, a hospital visit and used a cane for a while...plus i think i have like chernobyl effect from mri and like 8 chest x-rays....

stay safe...check for concussions...

Rodger that! Sounds like your episode rates waaaay more worrisome than mine. Wow.

Patrol kept tabs on me for the rest of the day, I know they were inspecting my pupils and behavior. No issues. Put 500 miles on a motorcycle yesterday, I think I'm ok.

Thinking about selling my place here in Ririe and moving to the Salmon area, looked at 17 acres yesterday. Only 35 miles to Lost Trail.......................!!!

Photos to come.

[Little Big Lost]

The view? Spectacular.

Looking east.




Looking south towards Salmon


Looking at Mt. Idaho in the LRR on the way home.



Along the Salmon River


Wildlife....






Borah

[Djongo Unchained]

Rolling the Ninja off road...



My Man!


I did not know you had a sportbike. We should meet for a lap. Fuggin Ririe to Salmon would make me saddlesore though, dang.

[Little Big Lost]

Rolling the Ninja off road...



My Man!


I did not know you had a sportbike. We should meet for a lap. Fuggin Ririe to Salmon would make me saddlesore though, dang.

Was not far from the pavement.... about a half mile up the 'driveway'. Had to go look.

...and yeah, my ass hurt a bit, though I took 12 hours and got off and walked/hiked around frequently... The acceleration is incredible, the river road from Salmon to Challis was frickin' nice. Hang on!!!! Took the road through Howe and onto the site out by TAN (Test Area North). Long stretches of straight and smooth road. Zero traffic. Did not see another vehicle for 20+ miles. Easy to hit a hundred (actually 110). Had to, just once. 60 seconds of pure adrenaline.

Not mine, though I have use of it anytime I want. Only had 100 miles on it yesterday, today - +600.

[new yabyum]

Was not far from the pavement.... about a half mile up the 'driveway'. Had to go look.

...and yeah, my ass hurt a bit, though I took 12 hours and got off and walked/hiked around frequently... The acceleration is incredible, the river road from Salmon to Challis was frickin' nice. Hang on!!!! Took the road through Howe and onto the site out by TAN (Test Area North). Long stretches of straight and smooth road. Zero traffic. Did not see another vehicle for 20+ miles. Easy to hit a hundred (actually 110). Had to, just once. 60 seconds of pure adrenaline.

Not mine, though I have use of it anytime I want. Only had 100 miles on it yesterday, today - +600.

Has Ririe undergone the Real Estate madness that Diggs and Swan Valley have? You can spit without hitting a Real Estate agent these days.

[Djongo Unchained]

Has Ririe undergone the Real Estate madness that Diggs and Swan Valley have?

This concept explodez my brainz.

[zion zig zag]

Has Ririe undergone the Real Estate madness that Diggs and Swan Valley have? You can spit without hitting a Real Estate agent these days.

That development at the intersection of 26 and 31 in Swan Valley doubles every few weeks it seems like.

[east or bust]

Nice pics LBL, never had the chance to see herons in the nest like that.

Finding a place near IF has been a huge crap shoot. Putting in applications on listings that are only a couple days old and you're like 5th or 6th in line on every one. FKNA. Think I finally got my hooks in one in Ammon.

Guess we'll be neighbors

[Little Big Lost]

Nice pics LBL, never had the chance to see herons in the nest like that.

Finding a place near IF has been a huge crap shoot. Putting in applications on listings that are only a couple days old and you're like 5th or 6th in line on every one. FKNA. Think I finally got my hooks in one in Ammon.

Guess we'll be neighbors

Hey neighbor! Good for you snagging a place up here!

You probably wonder why I want out though...here it is...

Having seen what changes have taken place here over the last 50 years leaves me feeling torn. I have loved this area like few around here truly have, and it has been good, perhaps a better phrase is 'was good', at least to me. Had to run to Swan Valley this morning, the traffic insane. Every fucker doing about 85-90, taking chances to pass to get one car further down the road. It's crazy if you ask me. I'm sure there are places that are much worse, but that is why I moved back here 35 years ago..... to get away from it all. Now it seems (to me) that what I was running from back then has finally caught up with me. Same thing that happened to places like Denver/SLC/ect....will happen here too.

Love the Big Holes, Palisades area, Swan Valley, Teton area (both sides)...but damn. Can hardly find solitude anymore. I see what goes up the Kelly Canyon road on the weekends. Jesus fuck. Where are they all coming from, and where the fuck are they going to find a place to camp? Shit if I know. So I have for the most part given up on spending leisure time in those areas. I go west and north. More rugged overall, and waaaay less crowded. My idea of a good time is when I don't see another soul all day, as people tend to fuck things up. Trashed campsites, graffiti painted on rock cliffs (or elsewhere), and litter just boils my blood. I could go on.

Seems like those of us who ski and snowboard have a different view of nature. To be cherished, and cared for. Whenever I go somewhere, you'd never even know I had been there. Seems like most never got the message, or ignored the message. Campfires abandoned and left burning. Trees nearby shot full of holes, illegal off roading, fireworks. Then all the rescues that take place all the time. I could go on, and on. You get the picture.

My plan is to get the fuck out of here and relocate to 40 years ago. Leadore (not my first choice), Salmon/Challis area. Gotta be close enough to a ski hill though. Find some suitable property to build 3 Deluxe yurts. 1 to live in, 2 to rent out to clients that I would guide on E-bikes, like I described earlier in the thread. 1 or 2 people at a time in the mostly empty vastness that is still south central Idaho.

I still love this area, but it has been ruined, at least for me. Just to go to 'town' (IF) almost requires that somebody (loved one) better be dying to get me to go. Fuck that place.

Not blaming you, I understand that there are way worse places to be, and don't blame anyone for trying to get out. Not sure what your particular circumstances are, if you want to get away from AZ?, or you have had a job transfer or whatnot. I wish the best for you.

I'm not leaving anytime real soon, and when I do I will probably keep the place here. In the meantime we will have to meet up at KC and do some shredding. I've got connections.... ;-)

Also, the herons. They nest high in trees that are used year after year. If you know where those are, they are there every year. This particular spot (north of Leadore) is used by about 20 nesting pairs. They do look weird way up there in the branches tho. They also make strange noises.

[Djongo Unchained]

I think the being out in nature is, for many of us, our Church.

Whatever your church is, that's what I mean. In the abstract way.
For some, it just means getting out of the cubicle at lunch to dig the toes into some grass or maybe dip them in the water.
But for many of us, we have a bigger church. It's the Elevation, the Weather, the Solitude, the Magnitude, the real Risk, the Rarity of being Alone.

A few of us actually need a Cathedral.

[Little Big Lost]

I think the being out in nature is, for many of us, our Church.

Whatever your church is, that's what I mean. In the abstract way.
For some, it just means getting out of the cubicle at lunch to dig the toes into some grass or maybe dip them in the water.
But for many of us, we have a bigger church. It's the Elevation, the Weather, the Solitude, the Magnitude, the real Risk, the Rarity of being Alone.

A few of us actually need a Cathedral.

Couldn't have said it better. I worship at a few non-denominational Cathedrals every chance I get. Does a soul good.












To be completely true to my faith, I have climbed all the peaks featured above, a couple of them more than once or twice....

[skiJ]

Couldn't have said it better. I worship at a few non-denominational Cathedrals every chance I get. Does a soul good.












To be completely true to my faith, I have climbed all the peaks featured above, a couple of them more than once or twice....

Dj and LBL -

Word.

Thank you -
With Great Respect -- tj

[Little Big Lost]

A little more perspective from me....this shit went down today.

On my way to the hill at around 2:30, came around that hairpin turn at the bottom of the canyon proper and see a woman walking down the road on my side in kind of a bad spot. SHARP CORNER. There is a guy in a car on the opposite side of the road matching her speed. My first thought is she got out of the car because he was being a dick or something. She didn't look desperate, he had a neutral expression. As I went by I could see her bend over to pick a flower....so I thought 'well weird, but people can do strange shit, who am I to judge'. I continue on up the hill.

20 minutes later my co-worker shows up and says the cops are at the bottom of the hill, some kind of shit going on. Hmmmmmm.

30 Minutes later, a person who shall for now be known as 'Good guy with a gun', or GG for short ( buddy of mine, pretty good buddy in fact) showed up to ride/work. He had come upon them just about 150 yards down the road from where I saw them. He beating the shit out of her. GG was able to come between them, protecting her. Perp then assaulted GG, but GG was having none of it. Drew down on the perp and warned him one more step forward and it was all over for him. Ordered him to the ground, face in the dirt, arms stretched out above his head. Called the cops. They came and hauled his fucking lame ass off to jail.

Afterwards GG and I discussed the merits of moving to less populated areas, he said he was also looking to buy something, somewhere....of getting out. Jeeze.

[Djongo Unchained]

Consider this:
After the ugliness, A lot of good luck happened.
Your friend, armed and capable. Wary and attentive.

Now i'm no gun waver. I have been on the wrong end though, which is one reason I live in the boondocks. Less wack.
They serve a variety of purposes. Some good, some less so.
For many peeps, seeing a woman getting a beating , makes squeezing a much more viable option.
Kudos to your bud. Depressing and sad about the scene and gal.

And , well, shit happens everywhere eventually.
Garden of Eden comes to mind. Paradise lost?

[Little Big Lost]

Consider this:
After the ugliness, A lot of good luck happened.
Your friend, armed and capable. Wary and attentive.

Now i'm no gun waver. I have been on the wrong end though, which is one reason I live in the boondocks. Less wack.
They serve a variety of purposes. Some good, some less so.
For many peeps, seeing a woman getting a beating , makes squeezing a much more viable option.
Kudos to your bud. Depressing and sad about the scene and gal.

And , well, shit happens everywhere eventually.
Garden of Eden comes to mind. Paradise lost?

I have hunted elk for years and years, but not to any serious extent. Have never thought I needed something for self defense. Shit happens, but in more populated areas shit happens more.

Eden? If I was younger I might have considered staying and fighting, but I believe that is a losing battle. Can't win.

GG? He was kinda my hero before this happened. Now he is approaching super-hero status. Did not want any fuss, asked to remain nameless, though I think that might get out, but it won't be from me. I have biked with him a couple of times, but over the years have taken many a chair/run with him in the winter. Awesome dude.

[Little Big Lost]

Anyway....on this hottest day of the year so far, and windy......let me remind everyone why we are here....







My old board. Now hanging on the snowboarding wall in my 'cave'.








Need a boop? Here's one for you...


Enjoy the rest of your day!

[mtnjam]

Was the good guy Wes? That dude don't put up with any shit, but really cool about just about anything else.

[2bjenny]

I've noticed, even in my little remote neck of the woods, that things are getting more and more crowded. In the forest up here, it's packed with campers parked where locals have never seen campers before because it's so crowded. I've gotten to the point where I just stay home on the weekends to avoid the hordes and go out with the dogs to hike around on week nights. As soon as the A2 road gets paved between Kilgore and the Island Park, I can see a lot of that land being sold for vacation homes. It's a beautiful area.

And, the wind has started to blow. Hot and windy, something will burn today.

Looking to forward to meeting up with some more folks next ski season!

[zion zig zag]

I've noticed, even in my little remote neck of the woods, that things are getting more and more crowded. In the forest up here, it's packed with campers parked where locals have never seen campers before because it's so crowded. I've gotten to the point where I just stay home on the weekends to avoid the hordes and go out with the dogs to hike around on week nights. As soon as the A2 road gets paved between Kilgore and the Island Park, I can see a lot of that land being sold for vacation homes. It's a beautiful area.

And, the wind has started to blow. Hot and windy, something will burn today.

Looking to forward to meeting up with some more folks next ski season!

It's like that everywhere right now. Crowds.

And yeah, you guys are under a red flag warning today.