Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City

Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City

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Note: All pictures were taken by me, Kristin Holt, unless otherwise identified.

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THE IDAHO HOTEL

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The Idaho Hotel was built in 1863 in Ruby City, Idaho. Three years later, owners moved the business, building and all, a mile up Jordan Creek to Silver City. The Idaho Hotel is still open for summertime business. You’ll find a fascinating short history of this historic building on The Idaho Hotel’s official web page.

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Jacquie’s Much Ado About Silver City was held at this historic hotel. #JacquieRogersAdo16

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Photograph: Silver City Trivia, including details about the city as well as the hotel's history.

Silver City Trivia, including details about the city as well as the hotel’s history. This sign hangs on the dining room (back bar) wall of the historic Idaho Hotel.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Vintage Image: 'An Idaho "mud wagon" arrives at Silver City's Idaho Hotel. Provided by Arthur Hart.' Image courtesy of Idaho Statesman.com.

‘An Idaho “mud wagon” arrives at Silver City’s Idaho Hotel. Provided by Arthur Hart.’ Image courtesy of Idaho Statesman.com.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Vinitage Photograph: Historic Idaho Hotel. Built in 1863 in Ruby City, on Jordan Creek (a mile below Silver City). in 1866, two-year-old Silver City became the county seat and many homes and buildings were moved to Silver City. The Idaho Hotel was dismantled, laoded onto sleds and skids and pulled up the snow- and ice-covered road to a new location in Silver City. A three-story addition was added at the same time. [text source: Images of America: Owyhee County, by Robert L. Deen, p 29]

Historic Idaho Hotel. Built in 1863 in Ruby City, on Jordan Creek (a mile below Silver City). in 1866, two-year-old Silver City became the county seat and many homes and buildings were moved to Silver City. The Idaho Hotel was dismantled, loaded onto sleds and skids and pulled up the snow- and ice-covered road to a new location in Silver City. A three-story addition was added at the same time. [text source: Images of America: Owyhee County, by Robert L. Deen, p 29] Image: Public Domain.

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Exterior of Idaho Hotel

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. 2016 photo of Idaho Hotel in Silver City, during Jacque's Much Ado About Silver City.

2016 photo of Idaho Hotel in Silver City, Idaho.

 

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Contemporary photo: Kristin Holt (left) and Charlene Raddon (right) on the upper porch of historic Silver City's Idaho Hotel.

Kristin Holt (left) and Charlene Raddon (right) on the upper porch of historic Silver City’s Idaho Hotel.

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We stayed in the two left-most rooms on the upper level as viewed from the street. We’re standing outside those windows on the view above. I find it fascinating–and a little creepy–to view historic images of people in this building now 150+ years old side-by-side with images shot last week.

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Note: the buildings to the immediate right (as viewed from the street) are no longer standing. All that remains is the safe used by Wells Fargo.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Contemporary Photo: The stone block Wells Fargo vault with rusted metal door (lower right) within buildings now missing from the original structures. Note: the saloon (1872) formerly attached to this side of the historic Idaho Hotel collapsed beneath the heavy snowfall of the 2004 winter season.

The stone block Wells Fargo vault with rusted metal door (lower right) within buildings now missing from the original structures. Note: the saloon (1872) formerly attached to this side of the historic Idaho Hotel collapsed beneath the heavy snowfall of the 2004 winter season. The white-fronted wooden building dominating the photograph is the Idaho Hotel.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Photograph shows rear of the Idaho Hotel. Image Courtesy of PraisePhotography.com (see link)

Rear of the Idaho Hotel. Image Courtesy of PraisePhotography.com.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. The Idaho Hotel as viewed upon approach from the road into historic Silver City, Idaho.

The Idaho Hotel as viewed upon approach from the road into historic Silver City, Idaho. June 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Kristin Holt (left) and Charlene Raddon (right) [we are both authors of western historical romance], dressed in Victorian-era clothing, on the porch of the Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Kristin Holt (left) and Charlene Raddon (right) [we are both authors of western historical romance], dressed in Victorian-era clothing, on the porch of the Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Shirl Deems, Reader, dressed in real buckskin like a Mountain Man's lady. On the porch of the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Shirl Deems, Reader, dressed in real buckskin like a Mountain Man’s lady. On the porch of the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Authors: Ann Charles, Charlene Raddon, and Paty Jager, standing in the street [Washington Street, Silver City, Idaho] (photographer's back is to the hotel).

Authors: Ann Charles, Charlene Raddon, and Paty Jager, standing in the street [Washington Street, Silver City, Idaho] (photographer’s back is to the hotel). Note Pat’s What-Not Shop on the right.

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Lobby of Idaho Hotel

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Check-in area of the historic Idaho Hotel.

Historic check-in area of the historic Idaho Hotel. The half-circle window was a pass-through into the bar behind for the cashier to deliver money to the bartender. Ladies didn’t enter the bar in those days.

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Authors: Kristin Holt, Judith Laik, Charlene Raddon, (Honey--Jacquie's character), Jacquie Rogers, and Paty Jager, together in the lobby of the historic Idaho Hotel.

Authors: Kristin Holt, Judith Laik, Charlene Raddon, (Honey–Jacquie’s character), Jacquie Rogers, and Paty Jager, together in the lobby of the historic Idaho Hotel. (Note: historical costumes not required–but too much fun!)

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Bells, affixed to the front door, alert proprietor to guests' entrances. Looks original to me!

Bells, affixed to the front door, alert proprietor to guests’ entrances. Looks original to me!

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Kristin Holt in lobby of Silver City, Idaho's historic Idaho Hotel.

Kristin Holt in lobby of Silver City, Idaho’s historic Idaho Hotel. Image courtesy of Shirl Deems, reader. Note the displays of antiques, original light fixtures, wooden floorboards, and the round table surrounding a support post.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Stove (wood or coal?) in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho. Image: taken 2016 by Kristin Holt.

Stove (wood or coal?) in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Vintage travel trunk, hat box, and satchel, on display in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho, June 2016.

Vintage travel trunk, hat box, and satchel, on display in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho, June 2016. The background shows the telegraph office available to guests, residents, and businesses in Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Telegraph station in lobby of historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City, Idaho.

Telegraph office in lobby of historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Jacquie Rogers (seated, left) at an unusual and clever antique table, built around a support beam in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel (Silver City, Idaho). Jacquie Rogers held a book signing during her Much Ado About Silver City event in June, 2016.

Jacquie Rogers (seated, left) at an unusual and clever antique table, built around a support beam in the lobby of historic Idaho Hotel (Silver City, Idaho). Jacquie Rogers held a book signing during her Much Ado About Silver City event in June, 2016. Note the original hardwood floors and display cases filled with antiques associated with the hotel and Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Antique safe behind the Check-In desk at Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho. Note the bells above the door (top left), the vintage telephone (far right), and the writing desk (lap or tabletop use) on top of the safe. Vintage stationery from a prominent female guest had been found in the desk in this century. See the dual oil lamps and message boxes behind the lap desk (also on top of safe). The lobby is filled with antique treasures!

Antique safe behind the Check-In desk at Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho. Note the bells above the door (top left), the vintage telephone (far right), and the writing desk (lap or tabletop use) on top of the safe. Vintage stationery from a prominent female guest had been found in the desk in this century. See the dual oil lamps and message boxes behind the lap desk (also on top of safe). The lobby is filled with antique treasures!

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Original Floors--with such historic character. Lobby of Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Original Floors–with such historic character. Lobby of Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Public phone booth displayed in the hotel lobby sports a bullet hole. Very Wild West!

Historic public phone booth displayed in the hotel lobby sports a bullet hole. Very Wild West!

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Bar and Dining Room of Idaho Hotel

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Wood-burning stove used to heat the bar/restaurant area behind the lobby of the historic Idaho Hotel.

Wood-burning stove still used to heat the bar/restaurant area behind the lobby of the historic Idaho Hotel. Note the antique bar and foot-rail in background, with spittoon on the right-hand side of image.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Antique kitchen range visible from the Silver City historic Idaho Hotel's dining room/bar. Fresh pie is displayed on the cooking surface. The homemade pies are to die for!

Antique kitchen range visible from the Idaho Hotel’s dining room/bar. Fresh pie is displayed on the cooking surface. The homemade pies are to die for!

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Vintage, antique double doors (as viewed from the bar/dining room), separating the lobby from the dining room. Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Vintage, antique double doors (as viewed from the bar/dining room), separating the Idaho Hotel lobby from the dining room.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Vintage, antique double doors separating lobby from the dining room/bar. This natural-wood (rather than painted) side, as viewed from the lobby.

Vintage, antique double doors separating lobby from the dining room/bar. This natural-wood (rather than painted) side, as viewed from the lobby.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Antique Upright Grand Piano, in the dining room of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Antique Upright Grand Piano, in the dining room of historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Authors: Paty Jager, Charlene Raddon, and Kristin Holt in Victorian-era costumes. In dining room/bar of historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City, Idaho. June 2016. Image taken by one of my friends there...I believe it may have been Shirl Deems.

Authors: Paty Jager, Charlene Raddon, and Kristin Holt in Victorian-era costumes. In dining room/bar of Idaho Hotel, June 2016. Image taken by one of my friends there… I believe it may have been Shirl Deems. Note the antique, vintage wallpaper.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. The hotel's display walls are filled with so much history! This photograph hangs in the dining room/bar of the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

The hotel’s display walls are filled with so much history! This photograph hangs in the dining room/bar.

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Ladies’ Parlor

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Private tours only. The owners and managers are the most gracious hosts. I imagine any guests who ask nicely would be treated to a peek inside–and perhaps a historical message. My thanks to the management!

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel In Silver City. Framed picture of the contents and arrangement of the Ladies' Parlor, Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Framed picture of the contents and arrangement of the Ladies’ Parlor, Idaho Hotel, Silver City.

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The piano, pictured below, is something special. The sign resting upon the music stand reads:

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This ‘Concert Grand’ piano was built in 1871. There are only five in existence- 3 in the United States.

During the height of the mining era, entertainment troupes would come to town, bringing their own musical instruments, including this beautiful piano.

One of the female entertainers fell in love with Silver City and stayed, along with the Concert Grand. Eventually, she began to run out of money. When she could no longer sustain herself, she sold the Concert Grand to the Idaho Hotel to earn enough money to leave town.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Antique piano and other decor in the Ladies' Parlor, a room generally closed to the public within the Idaho Hotel.

Concert Grand piano (1871) and other decor in the Ladies’ Parlor, a room generally closed to the public within the Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Edison Triumph Phonograph, on display in the Ladies' Parlor, historic Idaho Hotel of Silver City, Idaho. Note the rolls stacked on the wooden case.

Edison Triumph Phonograph, on display in the Ladies’ Parlor, Idaho Hotel of Silver City. Note the rolls stacked on the wooden case.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Secretary (ladies' desk) on display within Ladies' Parlor (generally not open to the public). Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Secretary (ladies’ desk) on display within Ladies’ Parlor (generally not open to the public), Idaho Hotel.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. View through the window of the Ladies' Parlor.

View through the window of the Ladies’ Parlor.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Felt-topped card table (1878) original to the Billiards Hall (that section now in ruins) of the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Felt-topped card table (1878) original to the Billiards Hall. That section now in ruins. Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Closeup of Idaho Hotel Tokens, on display in the Ladies' Parlor, historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Closeup of Idaho Hotel Tokens. On display in the Ladies’ Parlor of Idaho Hotel, Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel antique monogrammed silver spoon. Ladies' Parlor, Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Idaho Hotel antique monogrammed silver spoon. Ladies’ Parlor, Idaho Hotel.

 

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Guest Rooms

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Presently 13 guest rooms are available by reservation. The rooms are restored, historic, and filled with antique furniture.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. View from the inside of room 7 (upper far-left window when viewed from the street). Notice the wooden structure across the street as viewed through the lace curtains and historic window panes.

View from the inside of room 7. (Upper far-left window when viewed from the street). Notice the wooden structure (Fire and Rescue) across the street as viewed through the lace curtains and historic window panes.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Room #8: antique headboard (and foot board, not pictured). The box on the bedside table belonged to a guest; not part of the exquisite furnishings.

Historic Idaho Hotel, Room #8, antique headboard (and foot board, not pictured). The box on the bedside table belonged to a guest; not part of the exquisite furnishings.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Antique hardware (doorknobs and locks). This one was the inside of a guest room on the 2nd floor, Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Antique hardware (doorknobs and locks). This one was the inside of a guest room on the 2nd floor of Idaho Hotel in Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. "Toilet", a.k.a. wash stand with pitcher and bowl. On the bottom shelf, see the antique bed warmer. Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

“Toilet”, a.k.a. wash stand with pitcher and bowl. On the bottom shelf, see the antique bed warmer. Historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Staircase, as viewed from the second floor landing, outside guest rooms.

Historic Idaho Hotel staircase, as viewed from the second floor landing, outside guest rooms. Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Authors Paty Jager (left) and Kristin Holt (right) visiting late one evening in Shirl Deems's room at the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho. Note the antique bed frame and vintage wallpaper. Image courtesy of Shirl Deems.

Authors Paty Jager (left) and Kristin Holt (right) visiting late one evening in Shirl Deems’s room at the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho. Note the antique bed frame and vintage wallpaper. Image courtesy of Shirl Deems.

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IDAHO HOTEL’S PAMPHLET

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The images in this section are scanned from the hotel’s pamphlet. All credit and responsibility is the hotel’s. I’m simply sharing, in full, in case readers of this blog article wish to contact the hotel, make a reservation, or visit Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel Pamphlet Cover, Courtesy of the Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Cover: Idaho Hotel Pamphlet Courtesy of the Idaho Hotel, Silver City, Idaho.

Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel Pamphlet, Page 1

1) Idaho Hotel Pamphlet

Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Hotel Pamphlet, Page 2

2) Hotel Pamphlet

Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel Pamphlet, Page 3

3) Idaho Hotel Pamphlet

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Note the indoor plumbing! “Spring water was piped to the hotel in 1868.”

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Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel Pamphlet, Page 4

4) Idaho Hotel Pamphlet

Kristin Holt | Historic Idaho Hotel in Silver City. Idaho Hotel Pamphlet, Page 5

5) Idaho Hotel Pamphlet

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Updated April 2022
Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC

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All images, unless otherwise identified Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC. Images may be shared as long as this web page is referenced (with a clickable link to this page: https://www.kristinholt.com/archives/6148 ) and credit is properly attributed to Kristin Holt LC.