For our fifteenth wedding anniversary, Kristie made reservations last week for one night at The Cutthroat Inn situated at the base of the Heise foothills alongside the South Fork of the Snake River.

The place is a paradise. Our friendly hostess, Kathy, tucked us away in the Moose Cabin, decorated with cozy moose décor – little stuffed moose on a nook, iron moose coat hanger, moose wall border, and moose lamp shades. I felt right at home. A famous, oak framed print of “A Walk In the Woods” by Steven Lyman hung on the walls.

Plopping down and laying back on one of the pine beds, I stared up at the vaulted tongue and groove ceiling and then glanced over at the walls, made of twelve-inch diameter logs. Wow. The owners even had a clock made out of stone slate anchored to the wall.

On a side table sat two classy champagne glasses next to a bottle of Welch’s Sparkling Red Grape and a basket full of bags of microwave popcorn and miniature candy bars. I noticed the card saying, “Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Wood. Have a wonderful stay with us!” Nice touch.

Over in the micro-fridge, the hostess had stashed bottles of Nestle’s pure water and cans of coke. Hey, just what the doctor ordered.

We opened up the windows. You could hear the birds chirping, the aspen leaves rustling, and the fountain splashing in the outdoor pond stocked with gleaming trout. Watch out. At times, I am told, the bald eagles will swoop down and snag their breakfast. Yep, this is more than just viewing National Geographic from your lazy chair.

With the Idaho sun shining so full and grand, I whisked Kristie into our van and drove straight past the tantalizing Heise Hot Springs to Kelly Canyon Ski Resort. Pulling the mountain bikes off our rack, I smiled. My wife knew that look. We were heading to the top of the mountain.

And God gave us a grand experience. Up on the mountain ridge, between aspen and lodgepole pine, we saw only fifty yards from us—a moose in the middle of the trail staring hard and flicking his ears. Nervously, my wife broke the silence, “Do you think he will charge us?” I laughed. Well, sort of. Good thing the bulky Idaho moose didn’t.

It was a great night. There is a lot of talk about goddesses in southern Idaho. In a sense, I believe it. I am married to one. 🙂

And the next day was nice, too. Over in the dining lodge, Kathy cooked us some delicious strawberry waffles. And the buttermilk syrup—it is the best I have ever tasted. Seriously. I can see why the fishermen come here just for the breakfast.

Rather than fish, I took a short jog to the Holt Ferry Crossing on the Snake River and than over to the Cress Creek trail.

Friends, if you are looking for a nice place to stay this summer, I highly recommend dropping in on Kathy and Chip at The Cutthroat Inn. Around a year ago, these two moved from Park City, Utah. I’m glad. They are a pleasant addition to Southeastern Idaho.

In fact, everyone along the I-15 corridor needs to come up to Idaho Falls. Here is another reason. A week ago, Carrie Moore at Deseret shared the good news. So come on up. Take a risky chance. Be different. And let the local baptist preacher take you on a tour at the Ink & Blood exhibit over at the Museum of Idaho. Experience the Bible adventure with me and then experience the moose adventure at The Cutthroat Inn.

What do you say?