Visit with Stacy and Barbara

Mon. Sept.9
We had a fun anniversary with Gerry and Mary, we started with champagne in their backyard patio area, the heat had subsided to make it a pleasant evening to sit outside.  Gary bought some LED lighted butterflies to sit outside the coach.  I gave him a romantic gift, 7 audio books I bought for $2.00 apiece at the Kennewick Public Library, he was pleased now we don't have to talk as we go down the road.  We had small plates (appetizers) at the Crow's Nest and Ice Harbor Brewing on Clover Island on the Columbia River,  we had a great view of the river and our waitperson was a lot of fun.  I shared one of Gerry's raw oysters.  We finished the evening on their patio again sitting by the fire and sipping adult beverages.
Tues. Sept. 10
We left for Chewelah around 10, made a special trip to Costco for $3.39 a gallon gas. It was worth the trip, gas in Spokane is about $3.75.  The drive from the Tri-cities is pretty ugly desert scape for around 100 miles until you start entering the Spokane area of pine trees and rock.  We always go thru Spokane instead of the backroads the kids take, it seems longer.  (One of those famous shortcuts).
We had lunch at the Sprague rest area, picked up one geocache.  It was the beginning of several days of 90 plus days.  We got to Stacy and Barbara's about 4, Stacy had built  a RV pad for us, very nice.  It was good to see them again, it had been since last Thanksgiving.  The kids have 40 acres outside of the town of Valley, halfway between Silverdale and Chewelah.  If you're wondering where Chewelah is, it is north of Spokane on Hwy 395 halfway between Spokane and the Canadian border.  As we pulled in we chased of a herd (?)of wild turkeys on the lane to their house.  Since we've been here we have seen the turkeys of course, an owl, deer and heard coyotes down in the fields.  Luci isn't fond of their sound.  Stacy and Barbara bought the property and "house" about 10 years ago, my first thought about the house that a match would improve it.  Stacy has done an amazing job, it was so tiny at first I don't know how 5 people were able to live there, the house was 2 story tall and skinny with a over hang that the previous owner had kept her  horses under.  The first thing he did was add a front porch and living room, then dug a basement and a new living area with vaulted ceilings and a lovely master suite with a Jacuzzi and walk in shower.
Wed. Sept. 11
Since the kids were working and at school we entertained ourselves.  We drove into Spokane so I could work out at Snap, then had lunch at Elk Public House, a restaurant that was featured on Dives, Diners and Drive-ins.  It lived up to it's hype, yum yum.  Thursday we stuck close to "home" doing housekeeping and coach maintenance. Friday we did more of the same but I went into the Farmers Market in Chewelah, wonderful organic food.  They were selling puppies and rabbits but I figured I wouldn't have a house if I brought them home.
Sat. Sept. 14
Gary, Stacy and I took a hike up to the top of the ski hill just 10 minutes up the road from downtown Chewelah.  Our first hike was up to the newest chair lift, only 54700 ft elevation, it didn't looked too steep hiking up but looks were deceiving.  Our next hike was to the top, 57000 feet, a little longer walk but not quite as steep.  It was pretty hazy but you could see the valley and mountains all around.  We found a geocache at the top, close to a survey monument set in 1933.
Barbara and Patti had to go to Connell for a parade.  Granddaughter  Patti was selected as a Distinguished Young Woman (formerly known as the Junior Miss contest)  She is an amazing young lady, she's been in foster care since she was three, with our kids about 5 years now.  She is ASB president, 6th in her class, a hard worker and a very sensible young lady, she doesn't want Facebook. (Good for her)  Granddaughter Eleisha, will turn 21 tomorrow, has been in school to become a pastry chef, works at Safeway, she made her first wedding cake for a customer.  I only saw pictures but it looked lovely.  We ended the evening playing Phase 10, a type of rummy game
Sunday Sept. 15.
We are expecting thunder storms tonight, ending our hot weather.  I'll atleast have a bed to crawl under.  We are celebrating Elisha's birthday this afternoon.  Yet to come, the Seahawk/49er game at 5:00, it should be a good one.  Tomorrow we leave for Yellowstone, it will be a big cool down, only 59 degrees expected Tuesday, we'll be heading south to Lewiston then over to Missoula via the LoLo  pass. TTFN  Top: Gerry, Mary and Gary on the patio, next: Gerry, Mary and Gary saying good-bye next; the new RV pad; next; Stacy and me atop the ski hill and the whole clan; Stacy, Barbara, Eleisha, Patti and me on the front porch.