Island Park

One of my Mom's favorite things about her childhood was going to her family's cabin in Island Park, Idaho, for weeks at a time.  I remember her talking about it a lot. I think she wished our family would go and have a vacation like that - days spent on the lake - wading, canoeing, hiking, standing on the bridge feeding the giant, leaping trout. etc.  But as far as I can remember we never did.

So, as I was planning my trip to Idaho for Hillary's graduation I decided I needed to go to Island Park.  I wanted so much to get there and call my Mom and say "guess where I am!".  I wanted her to know that I was listening all those times she talked about it.  I wanted her to know that I care about her memories/her history.  So that's what I did, and thats how it went - but even better than I had imagined.

By this time the Dobbins, Samantha and I were staying with Rocio and family.  Hillary's graduation wasn't until 8 pm so we took a day trip to Island Park and got back just in time.  Rocio and her youngest 2 rode with Samantha and I (J.T had to work and the oldest 3 were on a trip with their Dad).  Rocio and family had just been to Island Park and so she directed us to their favorite part, about an hour from Idaho Falls.  When we got there I called my Mom and she was as surprised and pleased as I had expected.  We started comparing where we were with her memories and, I kid you not, we were in the same exact spot where she used to vacation as a child.  We were in the "Big Springs" part of the park, on the bridge feeding the jumping trout.  We didn't do any water activities but we took a beautiful walk around the area.

I am SO happy to have done that.  I am SO happy that things worked out for Rocio and little ones to come with us.  It was a beautiful day at a beautiful place.