We were up on time on this frosty Friday to make it to OC Coffee, where the group of SOWERs meets every week. We spent an hour and a half talking over cinnamon rolls and coffee. I’m appreciating more and more the wisdom that these older people have through a long and colorful life and through many years of service to the Lord. I may be in my sixties, but others in their eighties and approaching ninety can teach me a thing or two (or many). We were commenting afterwards about how our lives are so much richer by getting to know other people during these projects and their many and varied experiences and perspectives. We’re not just being a blessing to those we serve and work alongside of, we are definitely on the receiving end of blessing as well.
Since this is a day off, we set about taking care of a couple items on our local bucket list. First was Jump Creek Falls. Located about 10 miles from our home base, this extremely popular area was a must-see. And on this cool morning, we had the place to ourselves at first.
Short quarter-mile hike to the falls along Jump Creek, this is an oasis in a dry land. Just a narrow swath of green amongst the dry grass and rock, but it contains really sweet picnic areas under the tree cover and next to the creek, and lots of little paths leading off towards the creek or towards the caves in the canyon walls. Probably a lot of fun for older kids who love to scramble on rocks.
Next was Lizard Butte. Right outside of the town of Marsing, this rocky outcropping looks like a lizard crouching on a rock from one angle. I believe this land is owned by the local Baptist church, which holds Easter sunrise services on this hill. A large cross sits on the very top of this hill, which is probably the first thing that gets illuminated as the sun comes up. The slope of the hill forms a natural amphitheater and the church built a stage about midway up the hill. It would be really neat to attend an Easter service here.
From the top of this rock, there is a commanding view of the entire valley, a portion of the Snake River, and the town of Marsing.
Then on into Nampa to get some supplies and to hang out before we met our companions for this evenings gala, called Equus & Overture. Greg and Lyla met us in the Walmart parking lot across the street where we parked our RV.
The’ve never been to anything like this, we’ve never been to anything like this, so it was a new experience for all of us. This was part of their 50th anniversary where they will be doing 50 things they’ve never done before. I asked Greg where we are on this list and he said this was number two. So not much of a history yet but a cool idea nonetheless.
Turns out this is an annual fund-raiser for the Idaho Horse Park Foundation. So a lot of the program was geared towards separating the attendees from as much of their money as possible with a silent auction, a live auction, sale of the table centerpieces, and more. But in return for the privilege of getting rid of lots of money, they put on a good show and a good meal. A local jazz band played some familiar jazz tunes and some of the horse demonstrations were set to the music from the jazz band. It was all very well done and we had a near ring-side table to watch all this. It’s something we never would have done on our own had we not been invited and it was a chance to get to know another couple who were complete strangers just last week.
We didn’t roll back in to our space at the Hope House until nearly 10:30pm. Long day, and it seemed we lived a lifetime in a single day.
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