Beauty is Where You Find It!

Sitting in Mass yesterday afternoon for the beginning of Lent, I was looking at the four stained glass windows high above the alter in the front of the Church.  Although they are beautifully designed and installed, I thought of another Church--St. Catherine. 

Last spring, Deb and I took a day trip to Twin Falls to see Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls while the river was at it's spring high.  We had an incredible trip on several accounts.  We of course stopped at the Perrine Bridge and found we'd just missed some BASE jumpers.  They were down on the South shore packing up their parachutes.  But, the day was beautiful and we enjoyed just seeing the view. 

 After we crossed the bridge we pulled in at the information visitor's stop on the South side of the bridge.  Two really neat people offered us considerable facts and information, including where we might find a great breakfast.

We had to laugh. The gent told us it was his favorite, but was just a local hole-in-the-wall.  He said it wasn't difficult to get to, but you had to keep an eye out for it.  We followed his directions, and looked where we were supposed to, but didn't see any restaurants.  It was in the middle of an industrial and storage area, so it should have stood out.  We circled the block again--nothing.  So, drove out a block to the main street, stopped at a 7-11 and asked.  Two out of the three had never heard of it, but fortunately, a young woman stocking in the back room said, "Yes, it's just over one block, and down about half-way in the next block."  So off we went again looking for the Buffalo Cafe.

Buffalo Cafe in Twin Falls

He was right, it was a hole-in-the-wall, but turned out to be a very fun experience, and the food was superb.  Helpings were way greater than needed, but delicious, hash browns to die for and an omelette that would make you proud, and extremely full.  Unending hot, fresh coffee topped off the most attentive and friendly waitress we've enjoyed in some time. 

With our 'bellies' full, we headed on up the road and saw the falls, scanned the cliffs for raptors building spring nests, and just a pleasureful, non-rushed morning into afternoon.

Shoshone Falls

The river flow was high, the water rushing over
was impressive, and the beautiful rainbow from
the sunshine was brilliant.  Deb took lots and
lots of pictures.  We felt very fortunate as the melt was usually not this great this late in the year.

After visiting the two falls locations, Deb was scanning the route to go home so we didn't travel the same ground and discovered there was a balancing rock out to the West of town.  Actually, it was quite a ways out West of town, but all we had was time and the desire to enjoy a day together. 

Off we went towards Buhl, and then SW about ten to twelve miles.  You end up driving across some great agricultural land, and then suddenly the terrain drops away and you drop down and cross a river and then you are back up into rocky high desert terrain.  But, sure enough, crawling up out of the river bottom, on the right hand side Deb spotted our interim destination.  Funny how you can live somewhere for ten years and not even know there are new and fun destinations to explore.  We'd not even heard of this balancing rock, but found there was a neat history to it, and of course added a new piece of history to our travels. 

From there we took off winding our way North on farm roads looking for the well traveled means back to I-84 and our return to Boise.  Without venturing over into Owyhee County we found our way back to Highway 30 and headed for the freeway.  Hwy 30 takes you back up towards Hagerman, and passes the famous Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.  Unfortunately, with all of our meanderings that day, we didn't leave time to go explore the fossil beds (and that is so one of Deb's long lived desires in the world).  But, that can be another day trip for us in the future.  So, on up the road we traveled and finally entered the little town of Hagerman.  
If you count all the cross streets, Hagerman is ten blocks long South to North.  As we approched the next to last block there was a little church on the West side of the road.  I was looking around, but didn't look too closely, but fortunately my wife did.  Suddenly she says, "Mike! Stop! Turn around we need to go back!"  Now she has always had a pension for taking pictures of churches, church spires and crosses, so I wasn't totally surprised, but didn't see the cross on this church as particularly spectacular. 

St. Catherine Church, Hagerman, Idaho

What Deb saw that I missed were the stained glass windows in this little church.  We went up a block and turned around and came back into the parking lot.  How I'd not seen the beauty of these windows was beyond me.  Deb jumped out and was snapping a picture of the side of the church and the outdoor statue of St. Catherine along side the building.  About then a truck drove in and went to a little maintenance shed at the back of the lot.  A gentleman got out of the truck and walked over toward Deb.

She explained she had seen the stained glass windows and just wanted to get a picture of them and hoped he didn't mind.  You know, the thing about Idaho is there is no greater feeling than the friendliness with which you are greeted by locals--especially by locals of small towns.  Hagerman and this resident and church member were no disappointment in that department. The gentleman asked Deb if she would like to go inside and take pictures so the light was coming in through the windows.  He was clearly very proud of his Church and extremely ready to show his pride to us. While not wanting to impose, we could not resist the opportunity.  The gentleman unlocked the front doors to the church, and below you see the results of Deb's visit to St. Catherine Catholic Church, Hagerman, Idaho.

I love being On the Road, I particularly enjoy being On the Road with Deb!!!!!

Inner Doors to the Church

Main Aisle to the Church Alter