Hidden Valley Loop and Kelly Canyon Huckleberry Picking Weekend

This week Alan got off work a little early so we decided to try a little hike (because it's not paved) on a loop in the Hidden Valley directly east of the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg.  I found a website with several hikes close by that we hadn't tried.  The loop is about 2 miles and got us ready for our adventures in the woods the following day.

Theo all geared up for the hike.

There were lots of thistles along the path many of which were taller than Alan and thats pretty tall:)

Beetles, Beetles, and more Beetles.  They were everywhere and most were about the size of fifty-cent pieces.

There's something pretty about the sagebrush and rugged terrain of South Eastern Idaho

 Saturday Morning we woke up headed to Kelly Canyon to pick the infamous Huckleberry.  It's about all Alan talks about doing from May to July until he finally gets out and stains his fingers with some of that purple juice.  A recent sale post indicated people were selling some in Idaho Falls for $25 a quart so we figured a cup would make the day worth while.  After a couple hours we had about 1/4 gallon and decided to call it a day and go for a drive through the Swan Valley and over the pass to Driggs before coming come.  

Probably the best looking huckleberry bush we found.  There are way too many pickers in the Kelly Canyon area.

Theo and I on the hunt for the perfect bush

Theo "picking" the leaves off anything in reach of the carrier.  An early rain or heavy dew made everything really wet so Theo had to stay in the carrier most of the morning. 

After a long drive we stopped at the park in Driggs and had sandwiches while Theo stretched his legs and gave his puffs to the squirrels.  

Theo eating a joe joe for the first time.  

The family including the evasive photographer

Theo was pretty excited about trying the slides at the play area in the park.

Getting ready to go down the slide.

We finished the stop in Driggs with a good swing before heading to Rexburg