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Nez Perce Forest
JULY 29
WEATHER: 94 degree high. Our day started with a lovely deer and other critters while we were having coffee by the river :)
But then it started to get super hot, and was one of the worst days of smoke we had. The sun is so intense here, it was sweltering even in the shade. We just hiked on the road - often just as beautiful as a trail.
The other Forest Service campgrounds along the river are very rustic and barely filled.
It was soooooo hot and smokey that it was a drag to even walk. We found a beach site on the side of the road and spent a few hours by the river.
I tried and failed to make a basket :( I really wanted to make my mom a basket for Christmas, I just have no talent for crafts. I didn’t give up, though. I learned a lot about which materials to use through trial and error.
Aaron tried and succeeded in making a tarp shelter. With sticks for stakes!
Back to our campsite. Toooo hot to be out in that powerful sun, but a river right there to cool you off.
The family next to our site had an ADORABLE dog, Cricket, who came to visit often :) I couldn’t help but think of my dad and one of his favorite dogs, Cricket.
The 16 year old grandson of the family, Max, carved these hiking poles for us, complete with little feathers tied to the top. He was one of the sweetest, smartest, most interesting and loving kids I have met. Generous and kind. Loved hanging out with us old folks, and just ADORED his grandparents. We did too! A very cool family!
We got river shoes so we could walk in the river without falling, but it’s so hot here we ended up wearing them instead of hiking boots a lot of the time.
Max showing off his chopping skills with logs by the sandbar.
Max is special. One of those people you meet and think “If I had a kid, this is how I’d want him to turn out.” We both felt a special connection to him. He was very wise for his 16 years.