It is a very warm 78 degrees (25.5 C). Yes, I sound like a broken record. It was sunny and not a cloud in the sky. Luckily, there was a breeze every so often.
More hiking but less photography today. We went on two smaller hikes. I just did not want to carry the camera on both hikes.
On the second hike, we took the path less traveled, as I could not stand walking in the sun any longer, and on the other we walked along the Wood River bike path. If you walked along the bike paths, you were mostly in the sun. There were so many people walking their dogs today as well as people riding bikes. I wondered if this was due to it being the start of the weekend or if it just was a gorgeous warm day and people wanted to be outside.
We even came upon a picnic table.
This was on the path close to the center of Ketchum. Nice to have water available for people and pets.
Are the poles attached so you can find them in the deep snow?
Interesting barn/house
This is a hollyhock. The seeds must have blown from someone's garden. Did you know hollyhocks support the life cycle of painted lady butterflies as a host plant for their caterpillars and also attract other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds?
The aspen trees have not started changing color yet but I did find a leaf or two that have.
Ketchum has some interesting parking. If you don't like to parallel park, you can just pull in.
Do you want drivers to see you when you cross the street? Grab a flag from the pole and wave it as you cross the street and then leave it on the other side. It is a great idea since there are so many large vehicles on the road that might not see you when you cross.
When we went to dinner, we could smell smoke and it was starting to get a little hazy. Asked our waitress, Samantha, about it and she said smoke from Bozeman, Montana and from Oregon and California were starting to reach here again. She said we were lucky not to have had it this past week as they had the smoke two weeks ago.
Samantha also said the hillsides are bare because of wildfires in 2016.
I will leave you with some trivia.
Over 75% of all farm raised trout consumed in the USA are raised in Idaho.
Idaho is the second largest producer of hops in the USA.
Idaho has a state liquor store whose mission is "to provide control over the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of distilled spirits; curtail intemperate use of beverage alcohol; and responsibly optimize the net revenues to the citizens of Idaho."
Governor Brad Little's Message:
"The 21st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States ended the era known as Prohibition. Authority for the regulation of the importation, distribution, and sale of beverage alcohol was returned to the states. Their charge was to oversee alcohol regulation according to the sensibilities of their citizens. Idaho chose a model of enhanced oversight for distilled spirits.
The Idaho State Liquor Division’s excellent compliance in preventing underage sales of beverage alcohol is evidence of our attention to responsible service. In 2018, out of the millions of transactions at retail in Division-operated stores, there was not one instance of citation for sale to underage persons. Not one.
Additionally, the Division continued its collaboration with the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association for, the Community Coalitions of Idaho, among other groups. These awards made a difference in our communities for local law enforcement and the Idaho State Police, local citizens, and state agencies focused on preventing the harm caused by irresponsible use and underage drinking.
The Division receives no General Fund dollars. Rather, it operates on the revenues generated by its sales. In Fiscal Year 2018, the distributions to cities, counties, community colleges, substance abuse treatment, and general government totaled more than $78,500,000.
The Division serves Idahoans all across the Gem State, regardless of whether they consume distilled spirits. The retail leases paid to private-sector landlords, the in-state transportation services provided by Idaho businesses, and Idahoans employed in the communities served are all examples of the meaningful benefits of this system."
When we drove back to the parking lot closest to the Lodge we came upon these four Porsches. Wonder if they belong to a Porsche club?
The Tesla is all charged and ready to go on our next adventure to the Tetons.
Sad to leave Sun Valley. It was an exceptional place!! Michael and I will cherish all the memories we made here. Friendly hiking, biking, resort and towns' people! Found very friendly and helpful staff, extremely clean room and resort, beautiful well kept grounds, attention to making you feel welcome and very safe, great food, and so many things to do. The Sun Valley Resort is highly recommended! Hoping to come back again!!!!