Poulsen Family Reunion & Happy Birthday!

I celebrated my birthday this year in Idaho at the Poulsen family reunion.  My mom and sister were going and since we didn't know hardly anyone else that would be there we decided this would be a good time to go (the first time ever) and meet some of the relatives, visit with my mom and sister and see some beautiful country all at the same time.  It ended up being a quick, but delightful trip.  We left on Wednesday, June 22nd, right after I got done with summer school. 

We found a beautiful camp spot up Logan Canyon that night and then drove up the rest of the way to Salmon, via Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  We stopped for just a little bit a Yellowstone to stretch our legs a little.

We spent Thursday night in Salmon at the same motel as my mom and sister.  Friday morning we headed out to the reunion spot.  Most people weren't arriving until that evening, so Paul and I set up our tent and then we all went back  in to Salmon and visited the Sacajawea Interpretive Center that is on the land where my mom's family lived when she was growing up.  It was very interesting and one of the presenters was so excited to interview one of the actual family members who could tell him a bit about how the place used to be.  The only thing left now is an old chicken coop that they got a grant to refurbish as a "historic outbuilding."  

After a birthday lunch and visiting some of the old landmarks that are still there from when my mom grew up, we went back out and joined the reunion for dinner and visiting.  What a fun group of people and a very well organized reunion.  While visiting with one of the cousins who owns the land where the reunion is held he told us about a placer gold mining operation that they lease out on the land.  The next day the other cousin, hearing about Paul's interest, arranged to take us up to observe the operation at work.  It was really interesting.  We had a good time hanging out, visiting and eating and getting to know some of the Idaho cousins.  Saturday evening we had to say our goodbyes and went back to the motel in Salmon so we could get and early start on the long drive home the next day.

 We took a different route home and enjoyed some more beautiful scenery.  It was a fun trip!