Idaho and the Sawtooth Relay

Jared and I got back from Idaho on Wednesday and can I just say right now that it was the BEST VACATION EVER!!! Jared and I flew out of Phoenix on Thursday, June 12th and got into Boise around midnight. Friday we packed the family van and drove 4 hours up to Stanley, Idaho to participate in the Sawtooth relay. The relay was on Saturday, June 14th. I didn't run because I am having a baby but Jared ran as well as my parents, siblings, cousins, and my sister's in-laws. It was such a cool experience. 

The relay is 62 miles and there are 6 runners to a team. Each person on the team runs twice--about five to six miles each time.  We had two teams running. Both teams finished in just over 10 hours. It was an incredible race! 

The best part of the relay to me was that we were camping in the mountains. It was so nice to replace the usual big city, lots of traffic, and the desert scene with pine trees, crystal clear lakes, cool weather and fresh air! I could actually see the stars at night...lots of them!

 

After the relay was over on Saturday we went to church on Sunday in this tiny cabin near the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. I felt like a pioneer going to church in a log cabin like that. 

A lot of the family that had come out for the relay had to head back to various destinations on Sunday so that was sad. Both of my sisters had to be back in Rexburg. So Sunday morning after church we all went our own ways.  My mom, dad, brother Keith, Jared and I drove back to Nampa and went to family home evening with the Banner Family that night. It was great to see my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles again. Everyone was excited to see us but I think the best part was showing everyone my growing belly. Monday morning Mom, Dad, Keith, Jared and I drove up to Ketchum, Idaho. It is a little resort town about an hour and a half from Boise. When we got to camp  we put up the tent and then went to a play at Starlight Mountain Theater "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". It was an awesome show.  We ending the evening with a dip in a natural hot spring right by the campsite. The next day, Tuesday, June 17th, was one of Jared's favorites. We went golfing at a golf club right in the middle of the woods. My favorite part by far was the awesome golf carts we rented. I could have driven around the whole time on the golf cart while the boys were golfing.

 The rest of the day up in the mountains we played Cities and Knights....it is the best board game in the world...except it really wasn't the best game in the world that night because I totally lost! After the game we packed up camp and drove back to Nampa. Wednesday morning my family drove us to the airport and far too soon we were back in Arizona. I don't know how those trips always go so fast but they do! It was such a wonderful vacation. Our next trip to Idaho isn't scheduled until December so I am going to have to miss my homeland for another six months.