My office for the day - Relay Ridge

It was a remarkable surprise Wednesday morning, last week, to find myself on top of the world! As part of my job, I take part in the construction process via inspections and quality control/quality assurance. I didn't think I would be doing that at over 8000 ft on top of Relay Ridge, a place I've had flagged as a desired destination for some years now. I must say, I was not disappointed, even with the abundant smoke in the air, the view was incredible!

I arrived early after driving nearly two hours from Idaho Falls. The dirt road section alone took nearly an hour. The drive up was rough in parts, I highly recommend using 4-wheel drive, but if it means anything, loaded concrete trucks made it up, so it is navigable. The ridge is narrow, and the road turns to a two-track with shear drops in places. It is a path not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights, but the reward at the end is well worth the journey!

To note as well, the rock outcrops at the top of the ridge contain ocean fossils in limestone that is hundreds of millions of years old. A remarkable reminder how long earth's history really is!

I also noted the presence of elk tracks around the jobsite, and saw deer on the way up. This area is big game country so be wise if you choose to make the trip.

That's all I have to share on this one for now. To be honest, I wonder what the point of my blog is at this time. Perhaps this chapter of my life is coming to a close as I move into a different phase of life. Perhaps not. I like to share some beauty I find in the world around me with hopes that it may lighten someone else's day. I like photos, I enjoy what they have to say and what feelings they can capture. I hope the ones I share help others in some way. Maybe I am naive to think they will. I really don't know.

For now, enjoy these photos from my "office" for the day at the top of the world. Until next time, stay safe out there.