Sun Valley In October

After Ray and I purchased our fifth wheel we took a couple of camping trips - Ray's Sister Carolyn and her husband Pepe have a motorhome and have been asking us for a while to take a "camping" trip with them.  This is always kind of funny because Carolyn and Pepe do not camp - they have to stay in a full hook-up resort and Pepe has to have lots of hot water for a good long shower and they need to have access to their television.  Ray on the other hand is a pretty good camper - he loves to dry camp and we have had some pretty primative camping experiences.  Of course the new fifth wheel is anything but primative and now we have the opportunity to use the full hook-ups and enjoy all of the comforts of home when we go on these driving vacations.  So we planned a trip to Sun Valley in October.  They have a celebration called "Mine Wagon Days" - Ketchum, ID was founded because of mining and the railroad so their traditions concerning mining run deep.  They have a Mine Wagon museum and on this special occasion they have a big parade in downtown SunValley/Ketchum and they bring out the Mine Wagons that they pull with a 100 mule team.  It is really impressive.  We attended the parade, we went to a car show, enjoyed a craft fair, ate at some really good restaurants, and basically relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.  It was awesome. 

This is our spot for the parade - you can see that Ray and Carolyn got into the spirit of the event.  It was really great!

This is the start of the parade - everyone standing for our beautiful flag.

This is Ray's boss and his wife (Carol and Earl Holding)  They are both in their 80's and have been participating in this parade for many years.  Carol always pulls out her indian attire for the parade.

Here are two of the 100 Mule Team waiting to get instruction on how to maneuver this corner.  It took a lot of work and alot of man power to get these mules and these HUGE wagons around this corner. 

Here is someone riding on the side of one of the wagons - these things were HUGE!

There were 6 wagons so you can imagine how hard it was to turn the corner!

Yeah!!! They made it with room to spare!

This is our "camping" spot.  This was the cutest little park.  It's hard to see the grass, picnic tables, and amenities but I will definitely stay there again!

Here's Ray getting ready to pack-up!  We've already pulled in the tipouts.

One last check before we leave.

Oliver is ready to hit the road!  He is such a great traveling companion and he loves to camp as much as we do!

On the road again!!!

The requisite self portrait!

Oliver was worn out!!!  Another good trip for the books.