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White Bird, Idaho
Idaho Camping and Hunting
(October 9 - 15, 2012)
Papa, Sue and I packed up
in a hurry and took off for White Bird, Idaho to join the bunch that were
elk hunting. We'd been told that the area had a number of forest fires
still burning, and upon arrival we noticed a couple of
large fire-fighting encampments. There was some smoke in the air and
a few roads were still closed.
At first we turned to the right here because I remembered
that's how we went last time, but because we needed fuel and got
conflicting
directions we pulled into the Heckman ranch equipment yard to turn around.
That's when Clay Groom drove up in a pickup with some herd dogs in the
back. He had a beard, but reminded us of Timmy. We asked where we could fuel up. He mentioned Grangeville and that
Old Highway 95 would be quicker; then joked that he'd look for us in a week
in case we ran out of fuel. He probably noticed our California
license plate.
Old highway 95 is narrow, lots of sharp turns and
steep canyons off the side. Sue was pretty nervous. You can see how we
practically doubled back on some of the turns. Still not as bad as some of
the one way, winding canyon roads Mel hauled logs over. I remember closing
my eyes because all I could see was the canyon drop off on my side. I
think this was Sue's first experience with someone else driving.
In Grangeville we fueled up at the same place where we'd done it last
year, and after some conflicting cell phone directions headed off again.
We wound up wandering around back and forth from another direction.
Meanwhile, the sun gave up and disappeared. Finally, we stopped by a
pickup parked beside the road. The driver recognized the bunch we were looking
for. He thought they were camped near him.
Talk about manna from heaven!....Yep, it was our bunch... in the same spot where we camped last year.
We should have gone the way we started in the beginning.
The guys are discussing plans for the hunt. Some of
their stories later were funny...like the cow moose that surprised Kirk in
the bushes. He didn't expect something that big to crash the party. And
there was the snarling wolf encounter. All the hunters had their radios to
keep in touch that kept things less stressful.
Thanks to Timmy, we discovered what caused our RV to
lose most of our water. He fixed it and we drove back to White Dove to
fill up at Angels Nook RV Park. The elderly
manager helped us get water, and mentioned how unusually dry it had been.
Normally, he didn't have to water the lawn much. We'd noticed how the
trees and bushes looked parched compared to last year. He wouldn't accept
any money for the water, but when I offered him a Snickers candy bar his
face lit up and he accepted. Wish I'd given him two. By the time we got
back to camp it was overcast and felt like it might rain. That night it
did rain and the sound on the roof was wonderful. What a blessing for
every living thing. How beautiful everything looked the next day.
Timmy and Areana met everyone here. They finished
harvesting grain in Canada and were looking forward to the hunt. The
tents are their home away from home. Notice the stump in the photo above.
At right is the photo of the little chipmonk that hung out here last year.
It loved to torment Maggie.
Kirk and Deanna celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the campsite. We had lots of fun visiting and playing
cards. I relearned to play Hearts. Can't remember the last time I played
that game. Margie wound up winning big time. Glad we didn't make any bets.
Timmy's beard was a surprise...
Darlene, Grammy, Areana, Deanna, Sue and Margie.
Papa's making faces in the background.
Brent, Papa, Grammy, Deanna, Sue, Margie, Tim, Timmy
and Areana.
Ken, Brent and Kirk.
Mason, Kirk and Deanna.
Tim, Margie and Brent heading home. We'll leave in a
few minutes too. The rest of the bunch plan on staying a few more days.
Papa and Sue ride up front going home. She's getting
the hang of it to help with the driving.
I have to include this from the Heckman Ranch
website because it's so ideal for animals and humans. "There is something to be said about one
of the last remaining, self-contained cattle ranches in the Northwest. The
Heckman Ranch is settled in the town of White Bird, Idaho, and has a
natural beauty so majestic that it inspires the soul. Captivating gullies
and mountain streams, steep trails and rocky hillsides, green meadows and
endless sky are features that only begin to describe this paradise.
Originally started in 1933 on 3,000 acres, this
third generation ranch is now one of the biggest family-owned and operated
ranches in Idaho. Owner Don Heckman explains that his grandfather Eck
Heckman first trailed cattle from Lewiston, Idaho, to Flynn Creek near the
town of White Bird. Their first load of cattle sold went by rail car to
Portland, where 27 head sold for a net value of $530.00. The ranch then
expanded with the purchase of neighboring properties and the Heckman’s are
responsible for the first shipment of all natural, grass fed cattle out of
the state of Idaho.
This ranch has always been a proponent of all natural beef and uses no
growth hormones or stimulants on any cattle. To ensure quality,
uniformity, and freedom of disease, the Heckman Ranch continues to expand
their cattle operation by breeding back their own heifers exclusively. In
other words, the Heckman’s do not purchase any cattle from outside their
own ranch. Heckman Ranch has a full time, on-site licensed veterinarian
who is responsible for signing all drug-free documents.
The Heckman family has persevered through hard times, and Don himself will
tell you that a strong work ethic throughout their family history is what
has allowed him to be the third generation owner. This ranch produces some
of the finest all-natural grass-fed cattle available.
Angel's Nook RV Park where we filled up
our water tank.
The little historic town of White Bird below us.
It's in Idaho County, Idaho. The population was 106 at the 2000 census.
Both the town and the adjacent White Bird Hill are named after the Nez
Perce Indian Chief White Bird. At the southwest corner of the Camas
Prairie, White Bird is near the Salmon River crossing point for the Lewis
and Clark expedition. It is also the location of the 1877 Battle of White
Bird Canyon, which was the first fight of the Nez Perce War and a
significant defeat of the U.S. Army. Chief White Bird was a leader of the
tribe.
Papa's sticking his tongue out at me....He loves
photo ops.
The sign reads, "Salmon River Canyon. Some 15
million years ago, Salmon River ran across great miocene lava flows above
here and started to carve this deep canyon. Then this part of the earth's
surface gradually rose. As the mountains were rising, the river cut down
into the older rock below. Many other north-western rivers cut similar
gorges. The Snake flows through Hell's Canyon...deepest of them
all...eight miles west of here."
How about that Sue....it's amazing and beautiful!
And we're off an running towards home on highway 95
south, then 80 west, and 20 west, but Mel decides he would rather go the
Colfax route, then home.
Colfax, then highway 174, Brunswick and Idaho
Maryland. We're almost home.
It was a wonderful journey, but getting a little
tuff for the old folks. Thanks so much Sue, for coming along, sharing the
adventure and helping Papa drive.
Trip the Light
(Lyrics by
Alicia Lemke)
If all the days that come to pass
Are behind these walls
I’ll be left at the end of things
In a world kept small
Travel far from what I know
I’ll be swept away
I need to know
I can be lost and not afraid
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
When we trip the light
Remember we’re lost together
Remember we’re the same
We hold the burning rhytm in our hearts
We hold the flame
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
When we trip the light
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
When we trip the light
I’ll find my way home
On the Western wind
To a place that was once my world
Back from where I’ve been
And in the morning light I’ll remember
As the sun will rise
We are all the glowing embers
Of a distant fire
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
When we trip the light
Come on and trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna trip the light
We’re gonna break the night
And we’ll see with new eyes
When we trip the light
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