Back In Business!
That's right.  After a hiatus of six weeks, our blog is  finally back in business!   It took TIME to make that transition from the Caldwell Stake down below or down in the valley, as they say up here, to the Council and Cambridge Wards!  But the deed is done and off we go with a new group of people, customs, and lifestyles.

Our new dwelling is a 1970's manufactured home owned by Ray Stoker, a former bishop here in Council, and his wife Ruth.  The setting is very picturesque with well manicured lawns every which way sprinkled with  trees throughout, including many types of  pine trees.  Birds of all kinds enjoy this property, but the quail especially seem to "rule the roost" and run around all over the place!  It is not unual to come up the driveway to see a couple of deer relaxing in the yard or munching on the tree leaves!  They are alert, but not that afraid of humans. 
An abandoned vintage home with gingerbread trim across the street causes one to ponder the story its walls could tell of the people who once lived there.

We mused about how we would adjust to living in a single wide manufactured home, but no worries.  After making adjustments here and there, it suits us quite well in the sense of having adequate space and comfort.  Beautiful mountain views beacon in every direction.  The Cuddy Mountains are to the west with the Council Mountains to the east. Years ago,  Council Valley was the place the Indians chose to hold their annual rendezvous.  It is so easy to understand  why this place was chosen and to imagine the fur trappers and traders as well as Army personnel and explorers who joined them in later times.

Council is depressed economically since the mill closed in 1995. Since most of the mills in this area have been closed, as well as Boise Cascade, the population has dropped significantly.  For example, the total student population  of around 400 has now dropped approximately 50% to the 200's.  The homes in town are, for the most part, modest manufactured homes with, as our friend Dennis Gallagher quickly pointed out, mostly metal roofs.  We all know what that means!  Yes, the winters can see up to four feet of snow and the temperatures can become quite nippy.  Since Idaho, as well as most of the western states, are in the midst of a severe drought, we do pray for lots of snow this winter.