Donaldson Crew Adventures

We spent thanksgiving week in Idaho getting our new place outfitted to stay in. Plan is to start renting after the snow melts in the spring.  We had lots of snow up there - so beautiful.  

See the bald eagle take off from the tree across the river from us  

We love the town of Bonners Ferry 25 min south.  We spent an afternoon exploring some of the shops and having dinner. 

Worked on the house.  The seller had to put up some temporary railings to sell which we took down this trip. 

Noah taking an ice water bath in the river 

The caldera XC team made state again this year.  Weather much nicer than last year! 

Preston turned 13!  He had the boys in his class plus a couple other close friends from the neighborhood - Jasper and Caleb. 

We did a box construction project and the boys did a great job!  

2nd half of October and weather looking like it might pop into the 70’s in town we decided to head out for a short fall getaway to one of our favorite family spots - little crater campground at Paulina Lake. It’s the latest we have been there in the year and the campground was almost empty with only a few locals there. The hot springs were almost empty on a sunny Saturday afternoon!

Dinner, smores, fire and a sunset made for a good evening and we also got to see the comet again after dark. 

Sunday morning was cool and windy but warmed up nicely and we went to the obsidian flow for a quick hike. 

First snow on the mountains (light dusting at our house in the morning), a fire in the fireplace.  

Visible each night after sunset the second half of the month.  Really cool to see.  

Last day!  We had our airport shuttle pickup in Banff so we went back there for the morning.  To cap the trip we decided to do the Banff Gondola which was really amazing!  It was super cold but really cool sky / views. 

Some more shopping and off to the Calgary airport and then home. An amazing trip 

Early morning hike near our condo in Canmore

In and around Canmore (Canmore a great town just outside Banff National Park)

Today we went to Moraine Lake. When we were here with the kids back in the 20-teens we drove right into the parking area. Now you cannot get in without a pass. We got a free pass with canoe rides from the lodge we were staying at so that worked out amazing! 

Canoe Ride on the Lake

Hike to the Larch Valley