Camping at Bonneville Campground

Last weekend we went up to Bonneville Campground with the Snow family. The site is located at mile marker 92 on Highway 21 (between Lowman and Stanley). We read about the nearby hot springs, but I didn't realize how cool they really were until checking them out myself.

No trip starts without some form of adventure. On the way up our Montero broke down (bad spark plug), with the tent trailer in tow. Fortunately, it was right in front of the Sourdough Lodge. After calling AAA to get a tow back to Boise and counting the trip a wash, Michael happened to drop by the lodge for some butter. His family had already checked into their site and set up. I loaded the wife and kids into their truck and set them off for camping.

We got an OK from the lodge to leave our tent trailer in the parking area (and spare a $300 tow) and I spent the night riding 90 miles back to Boise in a tow truck. The next morning I borrowed a pickup truck from a buddy (thank you Jimmy), which had a crew cab and could tow. By noon, I was at the lodge to pick up the tent trailer and get to camp. I was determined to do some camping, even if it was for one night.

Despite the setback, we all had a great time soaking in the pools, enjoying the sun and breeze, shooting the breeze, and watching the birds and deer. Perfect.

Family Visitors from Florida

We spent the weekend with my mom, sister and her two kids, Hayden and Cole (the most recent addition to the family in Feb.). It was a nice time spent together. We headed over to Kathryn Albertson park to do a photo shoot of the kids together, which was a little better than our first attempt two years ago (which ended up with the kids crying, chaos, dogs and cats living together, etc.). You can see the rest of the photo album here.

To capture the sights and smells of Idaho, we also spent a day up in Idaho City (an old mining town with lots of original structures from the 1850's). The weather was clear and breezy, and we got in time to throw rocks into a small pond, have lunch and head home the back way through Robie Creek. Near the top of Aldape Summit, Hayden touched snow for the first time. At first, she wasn't sure what to make of it. But in five minutes she was chasing her cousin Rachael around the snow banks.

We also got together with the Frank family (my in-laws) for several dinners. One thing is for certain with the Metzgars and Franks -- when we meet, we eat. I think the last time everyone was together was for Rachael's birth, five years ago.

While we missed not having my dad or brother-in-law, Patrick (both of whom were tending shop at the Reserve Cigar and Wine Bar) we had a memorable time together.

Metzgar Year in Review -- 2007

Every year, we receive one-page newsletters from friends and family with an update on happenings in their family. We love them. Keep them coming. For the Metzgars, we're taking it to the next level "web 2.0" or "new media" style. Hey, Doug preaches this stuff, so there's no excuse to do it any other way;- )

2007 has been a year of serious change. As one friend said earlier this year, with change there's loss and with loss there's change. This certainly rings true for 2007.

Suzanne and Doug lost their remaining grandparents. Suzanne's grandfather, Dr. BillFrank, passed away in July. Doug's grandparents, the Angels, passed away in February and September. While they'll be missed, they lead healthy lives into their late '90's.

In September, we sold our house at 2419 N. 24th. We moved into a home closer to downtown and the girls' school. It was built in the '20's and wins the award for quietest home we've lived in as a family. Our good friends, the Wieners, live a block up the street and we have sidewalks, on which the girls love to ride their bikes or take walks. You're probably wondering, doesn't everyone have sidewalks? Our last neighborhood didn't. We obviously took them for granted and didn't realize how much we missed them.

In September, we also launched the Treasure Valley's only (heck, Idaho's only) baby-proofing business, Safety for Toddlers. Response from local hospitals, doctors and parents has been great. Doug is also working on his strategic marketing consulting business. The emphasis of his work has been around web 2.0 or new media (web sites, blogs, podcasts, e-mail, etc.).

Doug's also active on the board of directors with a local marketing communications network group. And after a few years off, Doug's playing drums for several groups in town, including Andy Byron (country), River City Crossing (world) and the Moody Jews.

Suzanne's busy managing the girls' school schedules, in addition to participating on the board of directors for our local synagogue, and the girls' PTA. And now that Suzanne's parents and sister live in Boise, we spend a lot of time with them.

Rachael turned 5 in August, and Rebecca will be 4 in March. Both attend the same school in town. They love it there -- making lots of friends, getting in lots of play dates and doing dinners with families.

As a family, we managed to get out to see a production at our local Shakespeare festival, as well as Spamalot, G Love and Special Sauce, Niel Young and other acts. Doug's parents made it out to Boise during his 40th birthday in May. This fall, we did our first corn maze. And we got in some good camping, including a week-long trip up through Idaho's panhandle to Sandpoint - a mere 60 miles from the Canadian border. We also camped at Redfish Lake near Stanley. The valley below the Sawtooth Mountains is was one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen and we are looking forward to another trip there in the spring.

As a reminder, our new snail-mail and e-mail addresses are included with your holiday card. We're dumping our att.net e-mail service in the coming weeks.

We hope you have a healthy and safe holiday season. And a happy new year, too! And while you're here, say hi by posting a comment (see the links below).

The Metzgars