When we got home from MI, one of the things we wanted to do before I had to go back to school was to head back up to the hot springs along the Payette River in the daytime. So the other day we did just that and I am so glad we did. It was amazing to see the area in the daylight. There are quite a few pics to follow because everything was breathtaking; we had a hard time putting the camera down.
Our cat's namesake
I like taking pictures of the cows here because they roam free in the fields like they should everywhere.
Getting very close to our desired destination...
This is stepping out of the car and looking beside us to the right
And so begins the lengthy, but beautiful hike straight up the mountain to the hot springs
Resting while I snap some phots
The Payette River was a bright blue-green color
In this picture you can kind of see the man-made trail winding along
The 'upper pool'
You can see in this picture the rigged piping that allows you to change the water temperature
Both times we have been here we went to the 'upper pool' so we decided after we got our clothes back on (that is over our swimsuits ;) ) we walked down to check out the 'lower pool'. This one was actually bigger and had a little waterfall. Derek took this picture standing at the 'upper pool' looking down.
Derek liked this sign... ? I dunno
Water flowing down from the 'upper pool' into the 'lower pool'.
Yes these hot springs are called the Skinnydipper hot springs and the sign says under the name "built and maintained by skinnydippers" Yikes.
Dereks take on the hot springs : ) Oh this is one of those times where I just nod and smile and think to myself, "yes that is my husband".
View sitting in the hot springs
Back down to the base of the mountain where we took a lot of pictures of the water. The river was not frozen at all, but it had some ice where little waterfalls flow into the river from the mountain above. They looked like tiny glaciers since the water was so blue-green.
Derek also decided to mimick Payette "paddy-warming" in honor of her namesake.
Getting ready to leave we could see the steam from the springs come all the way down the mountain. Crazy since it is a good 12-15 minute hike up to them.
I am not sure... while Derek was messing around with the camera I discovered that I could make my hand into the shape of Idaho. Derek however, was not as impressed.
We are so blessed for the opportunity to live out here for a little while. Sometimes it is easy to feel like we are not home, but these small trips we are able to take help settle those emotions. It is incredible to be surrounded by such different creation. It is so magnificant and such a great reminder to us of how big our God is and how much He loves us. We are thankful.
