Sun Valley 2010

Joined Jim and Suz another time in Sun Valley at 33 Cliffside. We were greeted by an uncharacteristically cloudy day but still managed to enjoy lunch at Shorty's home of the famous Orange freeze. This time Jim's younger sister, Lisa, joined us. Naps in the afternoon and the our luggage showed up about 5pm, which was great because it was pants weather. I did not bring warm enough clothes -- with it as hot in Atlanta as its been, it just is impossible to pack warm clothes. Hot tubbing before dinner and then some wonderful lamb chops from the grill, along with some corn Alan had bought on Sunday in Maine. Finished up with raspberry pie and butter pecan ice cream.

Thursday was cloudy, too, but that didn't keep us from taking the new gondola up Mt Baldy for lunch at the roundhouse. The gondolas are a definite improvement over the open chair lift, at least in my opinion. And they are quiet! Speaking of quiet, the car Suzy rented is a hybrid electric and it is so silent you can't even tell you've started it. In fact, on a couple of occasions, it has been left running for long periods of time.... Lunch at the Roundhouse was good -- burgers and chicken sandwiches along with -- DORITOS. We ate seven bags in all. Well, the burgers did take awhile to get there. We fixed dinner of wonderful cedar planked Idaho trout -- highly recommended. However, a lot must be attributed to the quality and freshness of the trout.

Friday finally brought sun -- yay! We celebrated by driving up for lunch at Galena Pass. Alan and Jim had their special beer, made by a guy in Hailey who only distributes kegs to restaurants. Apparently, it lived up to its reputation as they scarfed them down. After lunch, a quick peek at the Sawtooth and then headed back to Ketchum for a nap and then to hike the Chocolate Gulch Trail which offered its usual lovely views of the river. Such a hike must be rewarded and we did so with cocktails in the pool and hot tub. Dinner was out at the Ketchum Grill.

Saturday Lisa departed for Santa Barbara, so the four of us decided on a morning hike up the Liftline Trail followed by lunch at the Gold Club, followed by errands in town and then a visit to the Arts and Crafts Festival. All in all, a gorgeous Sun Valley day.