Campin in the 'Ho

Hi,

Just got back from McCall, ID where the fam spent the 4th of July. Apart from frequent, short-lived rainstorms, it was pretty perfect.

On Saturday afternoon, Tyler, Pops and I went mountain biking down the backside of Brundage mountain. Soooo sick. Tyler (Jon, too) is finally old enough that we can do pretty much anything together, so the three of us just ripped down the mountain without having to wait up for each other at all. Took us just under two hours to bike 14 miles, according to dad's GPS. The trail had a great mix of tough uphill climbs , wide downhill paths, and "technical" rock dodging. Since most of the paths were covered with loose fist-sized rocks, the uphill climbs were a twofold challenge - sheer legpower, plus balancing at low speeds with abnormal angular momentum. we missed a couple of turnoffs causing us to take a couple of really steep uphill offshoots. along the switchbacking trail we ran into periodic mountainside meadows, through which we caught glimpses of Cascade lake at the foot of the mountain. Goooorgeous.

Other highlights include: cliff jumping (only 30' max, so nothin as big as ye ol' Walnut Street to Schuylkill drop), making homemade ice cream, duct taping foam into Bandit's ears so he didn't freak out with the fireworks, drugging Bandit via Benadryl tablets in hot dogs, sitting around the campfire, Oreo milkshakes at My Father's Place, and finally looking out the window at the huge sky on the way back home.

things i'm gonna miss about the 'ho:
1. rugged mountains that will mess you up and/or take your breath away
2. driving to mccall
3. camping with the fam
4. sky that stretches forever, and single clouds that cover 270 degrees of view

I think I like my family.

Lots of controversial talks with the rents. Topics included drinking (public and otherwise), American nationalism and smoking (hookah specifically). Plenty of nostalgic reflection with the rents too. Driving home with just the two of them (plus Bandit) was really pleasant. I love my parents a lot. I'm super lucky to have 'em.

That's all for now,

- Josh