The Best Part of Outdoor Retailer: Chillin' in Boise

I'm a little scared to count the number of times I've been to the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show in Salt Lake City. Let's just say 10 times would be an accurate guess. While the thrill of the show floor never completely leaves me, other experiences have crept up as even more delightful.

Here's a picture of Marcia Cook and Ryan Whitesides, two friends who happen to live partway between Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake. When I asked if I could lay over a night on my way to the show, they opened their home to me with kindness and generosity I've not experienced in ages.

I had such a great time with Marcia and Ryan, I wrapped my Outdoor Retailer business up a day early so I could scoot back to Boise and hang out. What sweet memories of summer I'll always have of Boise! As long as they'll have me, I'll be back!

The R. Craig Brown Family

For the first time in many years, all nine children of my wife's paternal dad, R. Craig Brown, got together. Many make it to this spot each 4th of July, Grandpa Robert Brown's cabin in Island Park, Idaho, but rarely all.

I had my camera and got this shot of the kids with Craig. The gang are spread across five states these days, and one even lives overseas. Jana Bitton, my wife, is on the far left in a dark shirt.

Four of the kids are from Craig's first wife (Jana's mom) Venessa Pitman. Five of them are from Craig's second wife, Christie.