Payette Lake

From Wikipedia: “Payette Lake is a natural lake in the western United States, located in west central Idaho at McCall. Formed by glacial activity, it is situated in the upper drainage basin of the Payette River, which drains into the Snake River.” A natural wonder and true gem.

Between Scablands, Wheat Fields and Waterways

Central Washington, U.S.A. is a region of contrasts, where sweeping wheat fields give way to rugged desert bluffs, and train trestles stand as silent witnesses to humans interaction with these lands. The massive Snake and Columbia river basins and the thousands of smaller rivers, creeks and streams that feed them, have carved out the basalt … More Between Scablands, Wheat Fields and Waterways

Forged In Fire – Pounded With Steel – Shaped By A Master’s Touch

Meet Barr Quarton: A Master of Hand-Forged Knives and Tools Based in McCall, Idaho Barr Quarton and Barr Custom Knives and Barr Specialty Tools respectively, has been working with tool steel since 1977. Barr has learned from some of the best bladesmiths and blacksmiths in the country. He even had the opportunity to apprentice with … More Forged In Fire – Pounded With Steel – Shaped By A Master’s Touch

Take a Journey: Deep into the Salmon River Country (A Vignette)

A few years ago, I posted on this blog about a trip I took to visit my friend Wes deep in the wilderness of the Salmon River country in Idaho, U.S.A. At the time Wes was the manager of the iconic Shepp Ranch. I whipped up a vignette of my adventures accompanied by some of … More Take a Journey: Deep into the Salmon River Country (A Vignette)

Rainbows On The Salmon Breaks

Idaho was once described by early surveyors as a “geographic monstrosity”. The pictures below speak to that statement, but as pictures often do, they may fall just short. I mention the “geographic monstrosity” description because these images were captured at what is essentially Idaho’s only North South State highway chokepoint, White Bird summit on Highway … More Rainbows On The Salmon Breaks

5 Days 7 Summits

Photo journey of a backcountry adventure in our backyard here in Central Idaho last Fall. Road based, this far away route takes you over 7 summit crossings. First block of shots showcase Pilot Peak, with views into the South Fork Salmon river breaks and the Lick Creek sub-range of the Salmon River Mountains in the … More 5 Days 7 Summits

Spar On The Lake

In my ongoing effort to control the spread of beetle kill, I hired the skilled folks at Acker Tree Service to come in and take out some of the infested trees that are too complicated for me to take out myself.  If you can get to the trees soon enough, burn, cover with plastic, or … More Spar On The Lake