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| Near Claudia's home in Northern Idaho |
Tuesday 8/5. I left Rose Camp at 8:30 am for Aunt Nene's home in Port Orchard. It was an enjoyable, if warm, drive. So good to see Nene. She took me out to lunch and we went to dinner at Vivienne's & Larry's. Vivienne gave me a quilted wall hanging she had made for me of a chicken - "One of Rose's Girls". It is so beautiful and just blew me away!
Wednesday 8/6. Nene and I were on our way at 7:00 am, just as planned. It was another clear, hot day, and lunch in an air conditioned restaurant in Moses Lake was oh so refreshing. I had never been north of Couer d'Lane before and was fascinated to watch the forest change from pine and fir trees to a wetter combination of cedar and fir. Not nearly as wet as the rain forests west of the Cascades, but a perfect mix of wet and dry.
We met Nene's sister-in-law, Claudia, at a store about ten miles from her place and arrived at her home at 5:30 pm. After dinner she took us for a drive and then we came back to a desert of home made huckleberry cheese cake. What a treat for the taste buds!
Claudia told us that we had to stay an extra day in order to attend their local "Thank God the Hayin' Done" barbecue. So when we called JB and Nene's daughter to let them know we had arrived, we also advised them that we would be home a day later.
We ended the evening with a few very enjoyable games of Skip-Bo.
Thursday 8/7. Up at 7:00 am to go with Claudia and her dog, Jake, on their morning walk - one mile up and then one mile down. Incredible views from the top of the mountain, and, of course, I took lots of pictures.
Nene was up by the time we got back, and after breakfast we went for a drive to Randy's home. He will be moving up from southern California next week, so I just missed meeting him in person.
The one thing that struck me about the area is that it is so heavily wooded that you wouldn't think so many people live there. Other than actual farms, no one has cleared out the trees to build large housing tracts. Everyone just clears enough for the house, so it looks like there are very few people there, when in fact it is quite populated.
We drove on down to a beautiful restaurant on the side of a mountain with a little water fall coming down. After a delightful rest and snack, we were off again and stopped at a little Mennonite store, before going back to Claudia's. Once home again, she hand made noodles to go with the roast she had put in the oven before we left. She had promised Nene the noodles, and we had to practically fight to get any!
After the mid-day dinner, we went on the long, back road drive to Libby, MT, stopping to see the Yaak River falls. Such incredible country!
Back at Claudia's, it was time for more huckleberry cheese cake and games of Skip-Bo.
Friday 8/8. Up at 7:00 am again for our walk. This is a walk that Claudia has taken every morning that the weather would allow for the past 33 years. And, at 85 years old, she is in fantastic shape. She just straps on her bear spray and away she and Jake go. Her husband passed away seven years ago and they would always take the walk together, now it is just her and Jake. Her neighbors go with her when they are up on the weekends.
Claudia's daughter drove up from Spokane for the day and we all drove back to Montana to see Kootnei Falls near Troy. Again, the scenery here is just amazing, as is the Kootnei River.
Off course we ended the day with more Skip-Bo and this evening our desert was home made huckleberry ice cream. My taste buds are getting so spoiled!
Saturday 8/9. Another walk to start the day, and what a great start it is. We drove into Bonner's Ferry and stopped at their farmer's market. Then it was back to Claudia's where she picked some squash and cabbage for us to take home. She has a huge garden and there was always a large bowl of yellow raspberries for us to nibble on as well as blueberries. I don't think I have ever eaten so many fresh veggies and fruit in such a short time.
We were off to the BBQ for a dinner of smoked prime rib and a huge variety of other food. The host provided the meat and everyone brought a dish with them. We ate in a huge (empty) hay barn. What a great experience!
Of course we had to end the evening with a few games of Skip-Bo, but with the long drive ahead the next day, I had to get a good, long night's sleep.
Sunday 8/10. We left for home at 6:30 am and it was very hard to say goodbye. Such an incredible visit. There is a Starbucks in Bonner's Ferry, so I stopped for a latte and we were on our way.
We stopped in Spokane to see my Grandma's old house (Nene's Mother). She and Uncle Jack used to live next door to her many years ago, but their house is gone, replaced by several new homes.
We were on the road for 12 hours, due to a slow down over the pass where we lost almost two hours. It was very hot, even on the west side of the mountains. But we arrived at Nene's safe and sound, and very sweaty at 6:30 pm.
Monday 8/11. After all that driving yesterday, I was in no hurry to jump up and get going again. Nene took us out to breakfast and I was on my way at 9:45 am. I stopped to have lunch and visit with JB's Mom, then went to his brother's to pick up a water barrel he had for us.
It was another hot drive and there was a lot of smoke in Blewett Pass. Once in Wenatchee, I picked up the mail and a few groceries, and was home a little after 5:00 pm. Home!! So good to be here.
Tuesday 8/12. It is 66 this morning with thunder storms in the forecast for today and tomorrow. There was a light rain for a few hours in the early morning, so the smoke has cleared a bit.
Thought for the day: The constant happiness is curiosity. Alice Munro
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