Of course, it isn’t MY beach. But it is so unexpected and so welcoming, that after a week of travel, gear transfers, and trail work, it’s my little slice of calm and relaxation.

When I first spotted this oasis, I thought I was hallucinating. We had just finished a full day’s work of brushing and tread repair over five miles of trail and I was exhausted. Visions of sunbathing and toe dipping carried me that last mile to base camp with happy plans to return on the next day for some relaxing!

You might think that after 16 miles of hiking and trail work over two days, hiking a mile along the same route on my off day is just plain silly. Well, so is the thought of a beach in Idaho. But here we are! Sometimes ya just gotta go where your spirit takes you. The course sand is a treat for my toes long bunched up in hiking boots and my aching feet only briefly rejected the frigid chill of the Snake River.

…written from my little slice of sand.