Heimat, a German word not easily translated. Even the Germans define this word in different ways. About the closest word in English is homeland, home community, a place where one feels at home. My Heimat is South Central Idaho. But this was not always so. I was born in Rapid City, SD in 1934. Lived in St. Paul MN from November that year until the fall of 1941. Sunnyside, WA in Yakima Valley was my Heimat from 1941 until my move to San Jose, CA in 1962.  In 1983, Muldoon Canyon east of Bellevue, Idaho became my new home. Here is where I really feel at home. Yakima Valley was my Heimat for many years after leaving it for the Bay Area. Sunnyside is where I grew up; where I had roots.  But now and for the rest of my life, this part of beautiful Idaho will remain my beloved Heimat.

It is hoped that the pictures below will give you a glimpse into my life here in Idaho. People not familiar with Idaho may be surprized at the rather barren hills in some of these photos.  This is called a high mountain desert by geographers. My property lies at a one mile high elevation. Sagebrush covers the sunny slopes, but on north-facing slopes just east of here a couple miles, one finds heavy timber.You will see that in the photo of the convertible and the balding driver. When one travels north of Sun Valley - just 20 mi. north of here - the landscape changes to  thick conifer forests - simply a result of higher elevations.

All the photos, with the exception of three, are under 50 K in size and will load quickly. I have indicated the file sizes of those larger files in the captions below.  So enjoy!


Map of Idaho. This and two below downloaded from Mapquest.com.

Mt. Baldy, the ski mountain
by Sun Valley. Elev. 9000+ ft.

10/89 above my home. Father & mother on my mtn. deck viewing my basement abode. Log upstairs finished in 1991.  You can view that below.  52K

South Central Idaho.
Bellevue lies 2 mi. west of my home.

Bell Mtn. ca 7600' elev. 8/97
Me, Nikki & Jesse (dau & grandson)

Winter 93/94 Facing south. Seaman's
Creek in foreground; My home in background. On shortest day of year, house remains in shade until 2 PM. 
51 K

Muldoon Canyon and 
an image of my log house.

Bell Mtn. Rd. 5 mi. east of my home.
Jesse is the cute one. Bald one  is me. This photo in 8/97. Note thick timber.

8/96. Das ist meine Heimat.
I built this with my own bare hands.
Compare to photo taken 10/89 above.
66 K

Sun Valley Idaho.
World famous ski resort.