Grand View of Emmett

I remember the first time we drove in to Emmett. We were cruising through the gently rolling hills, admiring the occasional farms that you see as you leave Boise and head out into the country. Suddenly the hills closed in tightly against the road and we drove through a short "canyon". Unexpectedly, the canyon ended and we found ourselves on the top of a hill overlooking the valley of Emmett. It absolutely took our breath away. It was then and there that we knew that we'd found our new home. This is the view we get to see every time we leave and return home (click on the pictures for a closer look). I love to look out and see the farmland and a few of the last remaining orchards.
This view is what you see just to the right of the view above. Last summer we did a lot of swimming in the water canal you see snaking through the middle of this photo.
The mountain you see in the background is called "the Butte" and it is beautiful covered in snow. On the right you can see the road that takes us down "freezeout hill" into the valley. The purpose of this post is really to remind myself of the wonder I felt seeing it for the first time. I hope to never forget that.