Meyer Family Times: Gimpa's Last Adventure

There are times in life when we don't realize the precious weight of those simple everyday moments we take for granted. Our Idaho camping trip with Steve was one of those times. This trip was the last trip we would ever take with our beloved Gimpa. There are no words for the depth of this loss. These memories are more precious than ever... and if there is one thing that Steve gave us all plenty of, it's wonderful memories.

Feeding the ducks at Alton Baker Park in Eugene.

Grilled Cheese is good for ducks... right?!

Gimpa and Norah settle in for our first night of camping at Hell's Gate State Park in Lewiston, Idaho. It was a long drive... but we made it in time for a wonderful sunset!

We went in search of petroglyphs and I lead the crew up a cactus-riddled slope having sworn that I saw them... only to discover that it was just very creatively splattered bird poop. Oops!

Steve still took the opportunity to take in the scenery... which was quite lovely overlooking the Snake River.

One cool cat!

Gimpa and Norah built quite the fortress of sand castles!

So many sand castles... under a full moon... and on a sunny day?!

Here are the real petroglyphs... I'd like to see a bird pull that off mid flight!!

Norah was amazed at Gimpa's juggling! He really knew how to put on a show!

Gimpa taught Norah a thing or two about hand-eye coordination. His genuine patience, interest and love in his children and grandchildren was one of Steve's most beautiful legacies.

The top of the Spiral Highway, overlooking Idaho, Washington and Oregon

Love this shot so much it hurts.

Born to be wild

I stole a spin with Steve on our last day together in Farragut State Park...

he went 35 miles per hour (tops!) and I was holding on for dear life! It was exhilerating! Steve said he loved feeling like he was right in the middle of things on his bike. A part of the landscape. Like seeing the world in surround sound. (And speaking of surround sound... Steve didn't wear headphones or blast the radio when he was riding... he jammed out to song koodies. I imagine a lot of Skinamarinky Dinky Dink :)

Thanks for the good times Steve!

You will be sorely missed.

Our last night at Hells Gate State Park we built a camp fire, which Steve was really looking forward to because he had so many 'deep thoughts to share' with us. We talked a lot about family history and his parents and what they did and how they lived. A conversation that I will always treasure. He would peek into his binoculars every now and then and spy on the lighted windows of the ritzy houses across the river. "They don't know what they're missing", he said dropping his binoculars and looking up at the star-riddled sky. "They're too busy being busy to see what's around them. People don't know how to slow down anymore. I don't understand how someone could ever be bored. People just don't know how to be still. Me? I could just sit in a chair and stare at the dust in the corner, for... ever. Watch a moth in a fire, a bee on a flower. Whatever. I can do nothing for hours and never be bored." I took this picture the day he left. Excited to share with him just how philosophically deep and affecting his thoughts truly were. His gentle wisdom will be sorely missed.

After we said 'Good-bye' to Gimpa we spend the rest of the day exploring the park and taking it easy. Norah found a great swinging spot, her favorite thing in the world is to swing. Shouting "Higher! Higher!"