August 30, 2015 Sunday Potluck

We were really lucky this morning, it started raining!  Oh Boy, were we happy.  Hopefully it is enough to put out many of the wildfires that keep sending smoke our way.  We took the dogs out, but they did not want to walk.  They were afraid they would melt in the rain.  So we put them back up in the RV and finished our morning routine. 

We opened the museum and boy did we have a crowd.  I guess people didn't have anything to do since it was raining and decided to come to the museum.  We were busy until about 12:30 and then it slowed down.  Errin (our boss lady) came by and visited with us.  I had put out a sign to close at 4:00 PM and she said we should have closed at 3:00.  But I had already made the sign and knew we would have plenty of time.  

We closed the museum on time, walked the dogs and went to the Potluck.  It was nice, and very chilly-52 degrees.  I was really glad I had my heavy duty Idaho Parks sweatshirt!  The season is winding down and people are getting ready to return home or take a break and move to their next workamping position.

When we got back to the RV, the dogs were ready to walk.  But we cut our walk short since it was chilly and came back to the RV and relaxed.  I had my electric blanket over me, so glad I brought it!

Forgot to take pics today, but the water is leaking again, so will run this again and put in some deer pics from the other day.

August 27, 28,29, 2015 Thursday, Friday, Saturday Hikes and Laundry

Thursday

We went to the viewpoint and took a few pictures first off this morning. 

 Then we went to the cabins and walked the viewpoint trail.  When we pulled in to the parking lot by the cabins, we saw 6 deer.  We hiked to the viewpoint and back to the pickup.  We returned to the RV and took it easy.  We took it easy and also did some more walking around the park.  We walked on the west side of the park in the evening and saw a beautiful moon!  We always see something wonderful to photograph.

Friday

Today I stopped procrastinating and colored my hair.  Steve helped me make sure that I got good coverage. This was completed before noon.  Next up:  Finishing the laundry!  We were happy to get these things accomplished.  We drove to Athol to get gas and then on to Spirit Lake to the grocery store to buy something to take to the potluck on Sunday.  We bought strudels (from the bakery) to take to the German/Bavarian Pot Luck.  We returned to the RV, had supper and walked some more.

Saturday

Well not too much to report this day either.  We always walk 2-3 times per day.  We try to go to different places in the park.  We were walking the trail near the museum (Lynx) and there was a tree on the trail.  

So we returned to the RV and put the dogs up.  Steve got his saw and we rode our bikes back to the spot on the trail with the tree.  Steve cut the tree and moved it!

  My hero!  LOL  We rode back to the RV.

In the evening we went to the Jr. Ranger program.  

It was about what to take on your hike and what to do if you get lost.  It was a good program and after it was over, we took pictures of a beautiful full moon.

I hate getting so far behind in the blog, because i can't remember all the details of what we did. Oh Well, just doing the best I can!

August 26, 2015 Wednesday It's My Birthday!

Whoop, Whoop!  It is my birthday today!  We worked at the Brig!

  I got phone calls and Steve surprised me with two cards!  

After our day of work, we walked the dogs and left for Coeur dAlene (CDA).  On our way we stopped at the office and checked the mail.  I got two more birthday cards!  Woo Hoo!  Pam & Paige had mailed them up here.

We went to Red Lobster for my birthday supper and then back to the RV.  It was a good day!

August 25, 2015, Tuesday Busy Day

We rigged up the substitute halter very carefully for Buster this morning for the walk.  We hooked the lead snap into his collar and the halter.  No escape this morning. After a short discussion, it was decided that Steve would go to Walmart in Hayden and buy two more of the halters that we knew Buster couldn't escape from.  I tended the museum while he was gone and there were several visitors.

He made good time and was back sooner than I expected.  

We had supper and walked the dogs.  All the normal things.  We also went to Bayview and did a load of laundry.  We only did underwear because it was late and we didn't have many quarters.

Buster safe and sound on the bed!

August 23 & 24, 2015 Sunday and Monday Smoky Days and Trouble with Buster

• Sunday - 

It is still smoky.  We were busy at the Brig.  Sometimes when we walk in the smoke, Steve gets a little short of breath.  We have reduced the length of our walks to make sure he is OK.  He also covers his mouth and nose with his cooling cloth when he remembers.  Since the air quality is poor they recommend people stay indoors as much as possible. 

Monday-

Today was a slow day at the Brig.  We had very few visitors.  Steve fixed the day/night shade over the couch.  Then we had supper and worked on finishing it inside the Brig on a table where he could spread it out.  We left Buster in the RV wearing his halter.  When we finished the shade we discovered that Buster had chewed through his halter.  We had 2 other halters, so we used one of them.  We were both tired, especially Steve, but took the dogs on their walk.  When we got back up to the RV Buster escaped the substitute harness and got away and went running.  We were scared to death he would get run over and killed since we are not very far from the divided highway.  So Steve walked across  the road and tried to find Buster.  I got the pickup and drove around looking for him in the pickup.  We didn't find him even after driving all around for about 30 minutes.  We had given up and returned to the RV.  We pulled up to the RV and guess what!  Buster came running up to the pickup.  Oh boy were we happy!  This really scared us, but we were very thankful that Buster was not hurt or missing.  

August 21 & 22, 2015 Friday & Saturday

Friday

Well it was smoky yesterday (Thursday) and it seemed even worse today.  We walked through the forest trail over to Ward campground and back. Steve got a little short of breath - so we stayed inside due to the poor air quality. 

 In the afternoon, we took the dogs on another fairly long walk over by the amphitheater and further north.  When we came back we decided to get a hamburger.  We drove into Athol, but the cafe there had reservations for 20 people and so there was nowhere to sit.  The other cafe in Athol was closed (not sure for how long).  So we drove to Bayview and ate.  

We drove around a little bit after eating.  Sometimes it is nice to drive places without the dogs.

Saturday

Today the air quality was better, not great yet.  The temperature was wonderful.  It was about 70-74 degrees all day.  We walked down by the logs then toward Waldron Campground.  Next on the agenda was our trip to Walmart.  We got that done and then headed back home.  We took a few short walks and then had supper.  After supper, we walked down by the boat ramp and back to the RV.  I washed the dishes and decided to catch up on the blog. 

On our walk we went down to the shoreline taking steps.  On the return, we went up a very steep trail and I slipped and wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the top.  Steve encouraged me though and I made it.  Some of these trails are almost 90 degrees straight up.  You almost need to be a mountain climber or mountain goat to scramble up them. 

We feel very fortunate that we have had such a wonderful place to explore this summer.  There is a lot to do in this park and in the whole north Idaho area.  If you ever need a vacation destination, I would suggest this area.

August 19 & 20, 2015 Wednesday-Long Hike and Thursday-Scenic Drive

Wednesday

Today was a nice day.  We decided to walk to Buttonhook Bay via Squirrel Cache Trail then through the group campground. 

 Next we walked some of the shoreline trail and then up the Highpoint Trail.  That trail is very steep.  I did much better on it than I did the first time.  I know I am in better physical shape, much better conditioned.  

We returned to the RV and took it easy most of the afternoon.

Thursday

After gettingready and taking a walk with the dogs we decided to take a drive.  We stopped at Home Depot and got a new toilet seat. Ours had developed a crack. It seems like we always have one or two or more things to fix, repair or replace.

Then we took a scenic drive down Highway 97 along the shoreline of Lake Couer dAlene.  

It was a very pretty drive and we ended up at Harrison, ID. 

 We bought a sandwich and a drink, then ate our lunch in a tiny park. We were going to drive further but decided to head back, since it was already 4:00. It seems that everywhere we drive takes forever.  I guess this is big country.  

August 17 & 18, 2015 Monday and Tuesday

Monday -

Today was a work day at the Brig.  We straightened stuff and took care of business.  We usually take a pretty good walk before work, then fix supper and go for another good walk. We are trying to walk as many trails as possible while we are here.  Steve rode his bike for a little bit today.  

Tuesday-

Tonight after work we drove up to Garfield Bay.  It is another place to put a boat in Lake Pend Oreille, or swim or picnic. We enjoyed the drive and looking around.  Basically when we work at the museum, sometimes we don't do a lot after work.  We have noticed the sun is going down much earlier now. We have to pay attention or we stay out too late!

August 15 and 16, 2015 Saturday and Sunday Work Days

Saturday and Sunday

Both days we worked!  And we had lots of visitors.  We had 163 on Saturday and 156 on Sunday. They kept Steve and I busy.

Sometimes my jaw actually gets tired from telling the introduction to the museum.  By the end of the day, sometimes I just let them wander through on their own with only the guide. 

We always have people ask us questions which we think are weird!

When did they put the brown shutters on the musuem?

Is this really the only building left out of 776 buildings?

Was this a cell?

Do you have anything for free here?

Also you have to watch and make sure people don't wander off with stuff.  Who'd a thunk that?

Saturday evening we noticed a leak in the irrigation.  

So I called the visitor center and they told the ranger on duty.  It was Nathan and he came and checked it out.  The water had to be turned off - so before he got back with the tool we filled our onboard water tank.  

We always walk the dogs about three times.  Some walks are longer than others.  Many times we drive somewhere in the park to find a different place to walk.  The dogs love the drives and the walks!

Sunday morning we made out of order signs for the restrooms in the Brig, since the water was off.  I call the visitor center to let them know we needed the water checked out.  Jason came down and got the water on for the Brig and the RV and turned off just the irrigation part.  They said they will be back to fix that, but we are not holding our breath.  Also we are almost out of items to sell and I told Jason- because he is supposed to re-supply the inventory.  Anyway we didn't get any new stock, so we have very little to sell.  Sometimes things move slowly here.

                                                         

August 13 & 14, 2015 Thursday and Friday

Thursday-

This was a day of rest and recuperation (R & R).  We just hung out and took naps and watched TV til evening.  In the evening we loaded up the dogs and went to the other side of the park to walk and look for deer.  I enjoyed the evening, it was cool and the sky was beautiful.  I took quite a few pictures with my phone and just really enjoyed the outdoor beauty of Farragut State Park.

 

Friday-

Today was busy.  First we went to Walmart in Hayden, where I got a haircut and we stocked up on groceries.  Then we ate at Jimmy John's and returned to the RV.  We messed around a while then went to Bayview to do laundry.  It was extremely smoky.  

The smoke from several fires in Washington and other parts of Idaho is drifting our way.  We would surely like for it to rain.  

While we were at the laundry, I soaked up some free wifi to renew my CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator) and update my learning plan for RD (Registered Dietititan) status.  I made good use of my time.  

When we got back to the RV - there was a deer right near the Brig Museum.  I tried to take a picture, but it was dark and my flash went off.  The best picture has our Smoky the Bear showing on the dash. Anyway I tried to get the deer's picture.

August 12, 2015 Wednesday - Exploring

Today we went exploring.  We first stopped in CDA (Coeur D'Alene) and got gas and ice for the cold drinks.

  Then we were on our way to Wallace, ID, about 60 miles east on I-90.  We stopped at the visitor center and picked up some brochures.  

They have many historic homes on a walking tour and three museums.  I guess we didn't think this through very well, because we had our dogs and the weather was very HOT and WINDY.  Since we did not want to leave the dogs in the pickup, we drove by the old houses.  Most of them appeared to be occupied, so I guess they were not available for an inside tour, which we would have liked. 

So anyway, we ditched Wallace and decided to go to the Sunshine Mine Distaster Memorial.  It is a statue off to the right of I-90.  We got the dogs out and they were so excited to see the chipmunks!  We walked around it and jumped back into the air-conditioned pickup. 

It was good I had an alternate plan.  My next exploration was to drive up a forest road near Kingston, to see Kit Price Campground.  You get off the interstate at Kingston exit and then drive up forest road #9.  OK we did this, and drove and drove.  Finally we came to a spot that was for day use so we got the dogs out and walked down by the river.  We decided to scrap going to the forest campground, since we didn't know how much further it was.  Maybe another day. 

We took the Old River Road back (just on the other side of the river) to get a different view.  Boy was that exciting.  We were driving along and heard the whump, whump of a helicopter.  

It swooped down right beside us and got a bucket of water out of the river.  Before we knew it, here came another one.  Steve got out his camera and got some really good shots of the helicopter dipping water out of the river.  There were two helicopters, so we hung around awhile and watched them.  Steve took lots of pictures and I took several with my iPhone.  I wish my phone had a long lens on it!

We saw some interesting rock formations also and I took pictures of them also.

Next we stopped at Old Mission State Park. 

This is the oldest building in Idaho. It was built by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe in cooperation with the Society of Jesus (Jesuit priests).  It was extremely hot up here on the top of the hill, over 100 degrees and still windy.  After a short look around we decided to head back to the RV.  We got there late and did not tour the visitor's center - maybe we can return and check it out.

Big Day Touring!