Down in the Valley

Daily Mileage=60; Trip Mileage=4143

Today we are relaxing and hanging out in Ketchum. Sun Valley is about 1 mile away so we went over and checked it out. The "poor" people don't hang out here. It's quite lovely (as is the whole area). This is the Sun Valley Inn which isn't quite as nice as the Broadmoor in CO but it's pretty nice for a ski house (nothing like the places we used to rent when we were young!)

The towns are old and western with a trendy hip atmosphere. Ketchum's motto is "Small town, big life." Here's the "lodge" we're at. It's quite nice and we would recommend it. Yet we had a very sophisticated brunch at a charming little restaurant, Christina's. We purchased some wonderful take-out for tonight's dinner on our balcony. Life is good!

Once again, Rich had an encounter with some "wild life." Did I hear someone call "Bullwinkle?"

Just in case you're wondering, we have actually seen some real animals on our journey. They include: bison (buffalo), cattle (cows & steers for you city slickers), antelope, deer, big horn sheep, coyotes and different birds (lots). Of course I'm waiting for the real Bullwinkle and Smokey to show up!

There is practically no snow here and they are in their change of season mode. The mountains are turning green and spring is quite evident with various flowers and trees blooming. In another month the place will be full of tourists again.

And, apparently most of the tourists can't cross the street. They have this interesting system by which you take a orange flag and cross the street (alone or in a group) and the cars are suppose to stop for you (we hope). We haven't had to use the system. Here it is.

The last interesting tidbit we'll leave you with is that Ketchum was one of Ernest Hemingway's homes. In fact, he was invited in the 1930's to Sun Valley with the hope that if celebrities came others would follow (and they did). He loved it so much he owned a house in Ketchum for over 30 years and did some of his writing here (For Whom the Bell Tolls is one done here). He sadly committed suicide here as well. There is a monument in his memory by Sun Valley in a very lovely spot. They even have annual Hemingway "festivals" here . Don't know if you can see the statement on the monument but it was written by him for a friend's eulogy. It is appropriate for him reflecting his love of the outdoors and his great sportsmanship. (By the way, thanks to Paul Lesczynski for telling us about Hemingway. We would have missed it without his suggestion.)

We are now going to take a nice stroll along what was once a train track down by the river at the edge of the mountain. Good night, Love & Joy, Mare & Rich