TravelingMel

Anders found another science project he wanted to try. This time it was making a stalactite. As a former cave guide, and troglodyte, I couldn't say no.

We mixed some borax in hot water then divided it into two jars. We tied paper clips to the ends of a piece of yarn and draped it between the jars. Within a few hours we had a stalactite. By the next morning it was a column. Cool.

Safety first!

We get out all the tools, whether we need them or not.

A stalactite

A column

Anders and Finn meet August, along with Auggie's big sister, Matine.

We have a new member to our little community; a new member to our extended family. Our dear friends Brooke and Peter had a little boy, August Scott Howell.

He's over two weeks old now, but we got to meet him on his second day of life when we visited them at the hospital. He is sweet and oh so adorable.

Happy Mama with her new peanut.

Anders checks him out.

My baby with the baby.

Welcome to the world, August, we're glad you're here.

Take a walk back in time with me. Back to April of 2012. We were in Idaho Falls for a fly-tying convention. The boys and I were itching for a field trip, so we drove about 1.5 hours west to Craters of the Moon.

It had been at least 10 years since I last visited Craters of the Moon, but a big field of lava doesn't change that much; it was just as I remembered.

Lots and lots of lava.

As you may recall, my purse was stolen in evil Provo, Utah. What you may not have known is that my park pass was in there along with everything else of importance. Luckily, it was National Park Day or something and we got it free. Take that, Provo!

Before we journeyed to the moon, I downloaded an online Geo-Ranger Manual full of activities that help kids (and adults) learn about the park. When we arrived, the boys could distinguish the different types of lava, discuss pika biology, and repeat the Shoshone creation story. We were ready to explore.

After looking around the visitor center we drove to a couple splatter cones, walked to the top and looked inside.

Lots and lots of lava.

Walking up a splatter cone.

Strike a (hiking) pose.

Checking out the lava.

Then it was time for the "real" hike. The Broken Top Loop is a 1.8-mile trail around an old volcano, called Broken Top.

As usual, Finn started in on the complaining within 30 seconds of leaving the trailhead. "It's too far, it's too hard. I can't do this." In my head, I'm thinking "Cowboy up and get going," but this time I stopped. That's right, 20 feet into a hike, I stopped and gave the boys a rest break and snacks. And it kind of worked. It was another mile before the complaining resumed. Then we had lunch. It was Finn's greatest triumph--a 1.8 mile hike!

Caught in a hole.

Crouching tiger, hidden Finny.

lichen

Anders on a lava bomb.

Inside a lava tube.

After the hike, we stopped a couple times to look at rocks and eat more food. Then it was back to Idaho Falls.

Do you know what one of the best things about homeschooling is? We can go wherever we want, whenever we want. Within reason, of course. We always use reason.

Today we wanted to check out the new pool at the Spa Hot Springs Motel in White Sulphur Springs. I don't know why there is a "ph" in Sulphur, but that is not a misspelling on my part. The town was probably named by a homeschooler who never learned to spell because they were too busy soaking in hot springs.

However you spell it, the new pool is pretty nice. It took us a while to get in since it is a tad warmer than the original pool -- 104F versus 98F. Those 6 degrees made all the difference to the boys. After I won several foam noodle fights in the original pool (what? Do you think I am going to let them win just because they are little?) they were ready to try the new pool.

We give it two pruned thumbs-up.

Anders dips his toe in and decides it's too hot.

The pools.

Scheming in the corner of the new pool.

Goofballs.

Henry's kids.

I love how this tree was incorporated into the mural.

Want to go?

Spa Hot Springs Motel and Clinic

Open everyday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.

adults - $7; seniors (Over 65 yrs.) & 13-17 - $6;
6-12 - $5; 3-5 - $3; Under 3 - $2;
motel guests – free.

406.547.3366

spahotsprings.com

And now you know what the back of a peacock looks like.

Despite my protestations about not liking zoos, I often go to them. Case in point, we went to two zoos on our trip last week (or was it the week before?).

The second zoo was in Idaho Falls. It's a little zoo, with a lot of animals, and those animals are pretty impressive: snow leopards- a cub was born there recently; threatened African penguins; lions; sloth bear, wallabies and a bunch of other critters.

Our original plan was to walk to the zoo. My personal assistant, Siri, told me the zoo was 1.8-miles from our hotel, mostly along the river path. I followed her instructions precisely, even using the GPS-equipped map to narrow in on the location. Turns out, Siri misinformed me and the zoo was another 2 miles away.

So, I played it off like we were just wandering around the river path. I had you fooled yesterday, didn't I?

That afternoon, we hopped in our giant truck (soon to be for sale--who wants it?) and drove to Tautphaus Park Zoo.

The boys ran around, Anders read every sign, and I played with my camera. The snow leopard was MIA, which was a bummer, but we had fun anyway.

One of my favorite things at the zoo--flowers! In April! Who knew spring came so much earlier just four hours south of us?

African penguins

Not sure who he was trying to impress, but it worked on me.

Wallaby and joey. So darn cute.

Riding the tiger. That sounds like a euphemism, doesn't it?

King and Queen of Idaho Falls.

The best part of this zoo visit is that I didn't lose either kid. I think I need to stick to small, uncrowded spaces.

Chillin' in the hotel room.