Adventure 618: Still Fresh Air

Huckleberry Pancakes, of course.

What a fabulous day at the lake! After coming up here every summer since 1968, and enjoying this cabin experience for the last nineteen years, it would seem that there would be nothing left to see or do. Nothing could be further from the truth. We began the day enjoying huckleberry pancakes from our stash of early season huckleberries, which for the most part are still a few weeks and warm weather away. We drove over to the Ace hardware up some salt for the water softener. We took a walk up a mountain road, and we spent a few hours driving on roads we've traveled often and a few we've never been on. There's so much to see in these woods. Who would have thunk it?  Best of all, we took a trip down memory lane and had what we call "Japanese Spaghetti", which is a dish Douglas' mother used to make when we were kids: cheap dry pasta, a chub of fatty burger, and  heinz catsup. Three ingredients, no more, no less. For the coup de gras, a sprinkle of Kraft Parmesan cheese from the green jar. The entire flavor profile derives from our friends at Heinz. We were even treated to a rumbling thunderstorm during dinner that moved as it usually does North of the Narrows. The dish itself is far from special, but the memories it evoked brought warmth to our hearts. As Douglas says, ""It was the very best day ever." I must agree, and cannot deny that life is good, especially today.

 Our four mile walk included this panorama: almost lost in this inadequate photo.

We found enough berries for Douglas to enjoy a pie next weekend with his people.

 The most awesome new find was the bridge over Soldier Creek.

 The view toward the lake.

 The view toward Lookout mountain.

I was so excited, I tried a little romantic maneuver with my Bunny.

Japanese Spaghetti, so named by an Italian kid we grew up with. He came for dinner one night. After a taste, he exclaimed, "What is this-Japanese Spaghetti.

This sign used to be a North Idaho joke. Sadly ironic now.

Adventure 617: Lake Staging 2020

The Crown Rests Uneasily

Frac sat safely at the Ulmen's for the last three months after we arrived home from our winter adventures just as Covid-19 hit. The first death had been registered north of Seattle, and our fearless leader was spewing spin that everything was under control. Even now as the pandemic is spinning out of control, he continues to spew the same message despite the death toll in America surpassing 128,000. That news is dire. What gives me hope spiritually is that God has a plan. What gives me hope emotionally is that our children keep bringing new life to this planet. If they can garner enough faith for that, how can I possibly deny the possibility that the future looks bright. In the meantime, we enjoy a position that allows us to choose our risk pool. We're surrounded by family, and we've chosen to add a small group of close friends to our pool. So today we rescued Frac from months of inactivity to make our annual trip to Priest Lake. We're truly blessed to be allowed to share my cousin's lake place for a time in July each year. This year will be our nineteenth. Sadly, Steve and Bonnie and the girls won't join us because of conflicts, but everyone else will be here the week after the fourth. We did have   a mini adventure with Frac just to get here today. The right rear tire was flat due to a screw in the tread. My friend's, the Ulmen boys, Jer and John, pumped enough air in the tire for me to drive Frac to Les Schwab, our excellent locally owned tire repair shop. They fix flats for free. In less than an hour I was on my way. Judy and I arrived at the lake by 1:30. Before we had even finished setting the trailer up, my cousin Douglas rolled in. His family always enjoys the fourth, and Judy and I will spend three days with him before his crowd arrives. Luckily, I took the day one cribbage championship. We walked the mile loop scouting early season huckleberries, and we enjoyed a fabulous dinner of ham and bean soup made with Hooley beans, our farmer friends from southern Idaho. We had fresh baked corn bread on the side. Then we retired early to the sounds and smells of the fresh mountain air. In all, life is good and I remain hopeful, especially today.

This company began in Oregon and has outlets all over the northwest.

 They value service.

 Foxgloves are blooming.

 Frac is nestled in the trees out back.

 I never tire of this view from the dock.

 Miss Judy prepared our dinner feast.

 President Rump continues spinning.