July 21, 2020

        Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their children have been touring Idaho and beyond. This family are good campers and could take in lots of beautiful scenery. They spent some time at Stanley Lake and even in some chilly moments donned water suits and gear for some exploring. They connected with the Bear Valley Rafting Company on another day. All sorts of activities: the Route of Hiawatha, Fish Lake, Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald, and more After soaking up the outdoor life they are back home and pleased with a great vacation.

         The Bob and Claudia Erickson household has had ongoing family guests for a few weeks. So glad these grown children still consider Mink Creek as 'home.' Claudine and LaMar McKague of Vancouver, WA, gathered all of their family here from Utah and Idaho to do a family photoshoot. Then the family of Jay and Kristin Collins of Lakeview, OR, arrived. Lots of work and fun were accomplished, besides just enjoyment of being together. Carla and Mark Nielsen and sons came up from American Fork, UT, to finish off the July 4^th holiday. The visits overlapped and, as it worked out, there was room space for all as it was needed.

        Sherrie, Shane and Austin Corbett did some camping out recently. This was a quick overnight session at White Pine Lake. Just a break from the usual routine gives a feeling of freedom much needed in these days of restriction.

         Matt Egley is on the road again, in more ways than one. He gets behind the wheel of a big semi to haul hay for the Egley Farms. As a race car driver he has been itching to get on a race car track during this shut down summer. The first race this year was at the Magic Valley Speedway near Twin Falls with the intermountain outlaw modified series. There were eleven cars in the field. Matt said," it was our first time running in division 1 Nascar series and we ended up 6^th out of ll, so not so bad.” They had a few mechanical issues but fought through it.

         We are relishing the cool nights. It is such a respite from the hot days when the evening breezes come in for comfort. There are many reports of seeing the comet above our northwestern horizon.

          It is the inevitable season of earwigs. They seem to invade every crack and cranny. When it is time to haul hay, it is time for the bugs to arrive. The boxelder bugs are still around, but not in quantities yet. I feel grateful for the mosquito abatement program and smile each time I hear them making the rounds.