One Fine Day . . . .

We almost missed Aspen Show 2018.

Thankfully, though, when several family members were able to head up Rapid Lightning Creek Road to what has to be one of the most exquisite and heavenly stands of aspen here in North Idaho, most of the trees still had their leaves.

Many golden, some still green and a few spotches of orange red quaked or fluttered in a slight mountain breeze from their limbs extending from tall, slender, white, majestic trunks reaching far up toward a stunningly blue sky. 

We felt fortunate to have made the trip yesterday, which was a relatively relaxing "day after" for all of us.  

Some were taking a breather from two weeks of preparing for a successful barn celebration, while the two Love's of the group were past the worst stages of re-entry after a long overseas trip.

Talk of just what time we each collapsed from total exhaustion the night before dominated some of the conversation while organizing ourselves for the drive to the grove.

On the way, some occupants of Barbara's pickup spotted a cow moose in a thinned out stand of trees just off the road. 

Rigs stopped. People armed with cameras exited.

The clicking began.  

Barbara noted that the doors to her truck had been left open, just in case, what was soon noted to be a mama moose, decided to chase us off. 

She didn't seem to mind, though.  After standing like a statue for a while, she slowly ambled off with the baby following behind. 

I'm sure my sisters captured some nice shots because they stuck with her and found an opening suitable for some nice images. 

Later, after parking on a wide spot next to the aspen grove, the rigs emptied again.  

This time, the intensity of catching some good shots of the moose diminished to almost total relaxation as we casually strolled up the road, stopping from time to time to take in the awesome beauty all around us. 

Occasionally, some stopped to compare images within their respective camera window viewers. 

To say a "good time was had by all" would hardly match the combined exhilaration within us----a day to relax and truly a day to behold the beauty God dishes out in so many places on this earth. 

We pretty much had the place to ourselves too.  One motorcyclist drove by while we were tailgating at yet another stop with cheese, crackers, popcorn, chips and candy, left over from the previous day's celebration.

As we were about to leave and head home, another rig came by and stopped.  The driver seems to show up in a lot of remote places where Bill and I go. 

Yup, Bill Hawkins, his son Dal and his friend (Heidi Overholser's hubby) were on their way to a hunting spot. 

All in all, it truly was one fine day. 

And, another and another lie ahead. 

Feeling blessed on this Monday morning.