Turning 18 & a Trip on ATV's

Jonah and Micah turned 18 in September. It was a busy time around their birthday with homecoming, XC practices and meets, football games, and service projects, but we were able to have a few moments together to eat dinner, have them open gifts, and sing to them! They're easy boys and don't require too much. They've truly been a dream to parent (well...past their baby/toddler years, that is). They got some necessities for their birthday and a couple of their wishes, too. 

 

new floormats for his car--that we he didn't
have to use my Pooh Bear ones anymore!

a new motorcycle tire--his front one was all worn out!

The candles say "18" in their requested
dessert of homemade pumpkin pie.

The weekend after their birthday, we took them camping. It was their "family" celebration year, and they both enjoy camping. We took the toyhauler trailer, packed with their motorcycles and a 4-wheeler we borrowed from Grandpa, down river to an open spot near Ebenezer Campground. We set up camp on Friday evening, then took the boys to the nearby restaurant "Ram's Head" for dinner. On Saturday mid-morning, Grandpa arrived with his 4-wheeler (he surprised us), and we all rode up Colston Creek on ATV's to the Long Tom Lookout. On the way there, Josh showed us where he rescued some stranded drivers on that same road in August. It was incredible to see in person the terrible road conditions those families had driven their minivans on; I'm so grateful Josh found them and was able to help them! When we arrived at the Long Tom Lookout, we climbed up the tower. It was locked up, but the balconies were open to walk around on. You could see evidence of one of the wildfires in the distant wilderness. Afterwards, we drove back to the campsite to eat lunch, and then sat around the campsite reading, doing puzzles, and playing games the rest of the afternoon/evening. On Sunday morning, we took a family ride down to the Confluence to show the boys were the Middle Fork joins up with the Main Salmon, before loading up the campsite and heading back home. It was a really nice camping excursion, and a fun way to celebrate the twins' 18th birthday together!

the silhouette of the nearby mountains on Friday night

Our camping spot overlooked the Salmon River.

There was a cute pathway leading from our
campsite to the sandy banks along the river.

The river is lower than I've ever seen it in 20+ 
years of living in Salmon. It had a greenish tint
to it from being so low as well.

Getting ready for the day's ride.

We parked our ATV's at the base of Long Tom, and walked
up the tower to see the surrounding areas.

You can see the smoke from a wildfire in the distant wilderness.

Evidence of the dusty ride on the dirt road!

Kanyon rode with me on the 4-wheeler.

There's actual signage now about the road
closure to try and prevent future motorists
from taking cars onto Colston Creek Road.

Josh and the twins took a side trip after Long Tom to a nearby lake.

The lake was more like a pond, though.

Great views for miles around from the top of the peak!

Kanyon and I had our own side trip: we checked
out the old, dilapidated Colson Creek Guard Station

The boys caught up to us!

At the campsite, I worked on a puzzle.

The boys mostly read!

And Kanyon just mostly sat and felt "bored"! (it's hard for him
to leave cell service and online games behind!)

At the Confluence of the Main and Middle Fork Salmon Rivers.

Sunday's drive down the Salmon River Road
to the confluence.

A view of our campsite on the ride back:

We love the versatility of this trailer: it's amazing what we can
squeeze into it. It's been so handy to take camping!