Relaxing Weekend Getaway

I had a really nice trip this past weekend to N. Washington and N. Idaho. My friend M and I, the puppas, and her parents took 2 cars and headed north with no set plans. We knew we were staying at an old family friends house Friday night, but other than that, we were going to go where the wind blew us. We rented snowshoes from the university’s outdoor program, put her skis and my snowboard on the roof, packed the car too full (all my stuff), loaded the dogs, and headed north.

I met this amazing family friend who’s 82 going on 60. She talks a mile a minute and was so enthusiatic about having company in her home. She was very kind to let my dogs stay in the house, and they were good little guests. I really enjoyed listening to her and M’s mom converse as they have been friends for over 20 years and you could feel the kind and caring respect they have for one another. We ate a delicious breakfast that could have been a 4 course meal and sat around the table as grandkids, sisters, brothers and the like were discussed. It’s always so fun for me to be a part of someone else’s world even if its just a glimpse in time. Thanks Virginia for welcoming me into your home.

We were then off for a beautiful drive from Newport, Wa over to Priest River, Idaho and eventually up to Priest Lake. I’m sorry I didn’t take any pictures of the drive, which was just silly of me. North Idaho is gorgeous any time of year, but I find it just stunning in the winter when the mountains and valleys are covered in snow. I drove, while M played iPod DJ, literally. If she could have “mixed” each song into the next she would have. It was great for me, I got to listen to great tunes and didn’t have to think about what to listen too :)

We tried to go see the Seaman’s old family house outside Priest River, but there were “Private Property” & “Do Not Enter” signs on a tree and 3 barking German Shepards at the bottom of the driveway. We thought it best not to try our luck by driving down the snowy/icy driveway only to have a possible shotgun pointed our direction.

We decided to go snowshoeing around Priest Lake, so we went to this lodge called Hill’s Resort where the folks could hang out in the lounge and relax while we hit the snow. The dogs couldn’t wait for there fun to begin. When we got out, Zoe immediately had that “happy dog” face on as she ran around and sniffed the snow banks. Cole was also so excited as he marked all the snowbanks near the car as his.

It was off to the trail and a hike in our snowshoes. We weren’t on the trail more than 1 min, and M was off it, going where ever she wanted with the gift of those shoes. I soon followed and realized she had the right idea. The snow was a bit icy which was great for the dogs cuz they didn’t sink too bad. We soon lost the trail but we didn’t care, we didn’t need it. Every huge mound of snow was a destination and snow covered fallen log a challenge. The woods was really clear in many places, which allowed the sunlight to peak through the trees making the forest just beautiful. Here are a few pics, the only ones I took on the trip. I slacked in my photojournalism on this trip, sorry.

You can see Cole laying down way in the back on the right.

Just one of the many mounds that had to be climbed.

M & Zoe on each end of a fallen tree. I love this pic, but I’m not sure of all the reasons why.

Cole Buddy taking a break. He loves to lay down in the snow.

M having fun as always!

We eventually joined the “rents” in the lodge for some hot drinks (Bailey’s hot chocolate for me & Spanish coffee for M) and plotted our next adventure. I don’t know how many of you can travel like this, but I just love not always knowing where I’m going to be in 10 minutes. It was around 4pm and we didn’t know at that point what town we were going to be sleeping in, let alone where we were going to sleep. We decided on Sandpoint which is one of my favorite towns in Idaho. Earlier in the day we had talked about maybe going there and seeing if the Spa was open. M wanted a facial and I would have loved a good massage. Unfortunately, they were closed on Sunday, so totally pampered we would not be. It was time to move on so and folks went back to Virginia’s for dinner and were headed back home after that. We hugged our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

Again, we had a great drive east about 2 hours. This time M took the wheel and I tried to be the DJ. We decided to find a place to sleep before answering our hungry bellies. The first placed we stopped was booked and informed us that 3 other hotels in the area were full. I got back in the car and said, we might have a little trouble finding a place. Sandpoint is the town next to a big ski hill and it was a 3-day weekend. I suggested we try this small motel that I love and that’s only 2 blocks from downtown. I walked in the lobby and there was and Australian guest discussing something about one of her rooms. I wasn’t really paying attention and I finally stuck my head around and said, “by any chance do you have any rooms available?” She said does one queen work, and I said yah, we don’t care we just need a room. Well, in the end this other women had 2 rooms but only needed 1 and they didn’t want to credit her for it since the hotel was booked and it was the night of the reservation. We ended up getting her room with a strike of good timing and the women got her credit :) I mean really, could my day get any better?

After walking through Sandpoint we decided to eat a restaurant so poorly branded “Spuds – Rotisserie & Grill” The sign/logo and the outside suggested burgers and bake potatoes. I’m glad we gave the menu a look. The ambiance inside was really quiet, serene and small. M had the best butternut squash ravioli w/ blue cheese. It had a pesto sauce and pine nuts and it was gooood. I went with the special which was Grilled Wild Sockeye Salmon with peppers, rice and veggies. It was just delicious. I recommend that restaurant to anyone, just turn a blind eye to the sign out front. Note: For those of you who know me as a vegetarian since 1995, I’ve incorporated some fish into my diet over the last 2 years. We had fun asking questions out of my “The book of questions” and even got to hear four high school boys sing a couple of songs accapella.

We decided to go search for some live music if there was any to be found. Things in Sandpoint close pretty early even on a Saturday night. We went to Eichardt’s pub and sorry Marcus, but there were no seats for us, so we decided not to stay. We were pretty relaxed, it was only 9, but decided to head back to the K2 Inn. It was a great decision as we hung out, drank some Jameson Whiskey I had brought, made some popcorn in the microwave and talked till around 2. Oh yah, I’ve never liked whiskey and never thought I would. I decided around New Years that I wanted a “sipping” drink for certain occasions so I’m “in training” to become an occasional whiskey drinker. I can’t say whiskey and I have a love affair yet, but I do really like the bite it gives my tongue and cheeks if I hold it in my mouth a bit before swallowing.

Sunday, Sunday. I woke up so relaxed I didn’t know what I was motivated to do. We decided to get some breakfast and then find a coffee shop to read for awhile. We asked a few people if there were any shops that had big comfy couches and they said no, but they pointed us to the best coffee shop in town. When we got there we realized that there were two comfy chairs by the window, but they were occupied. We grabbed another table, but as fate would have it, the soft chairs became available, and M & I swooped in. I had some good ol fashion black tea, with a little sugar and milk, just like Gram Pilkin always drank it. I began to read A Thousand Splendid Suns while M people watched. She had some book in her hand I believe, but I don’t remember her reading much. We were both very content in that shop, by the window, in our comfy chairs.

Before heading out of Sandpoint we tootled around town in some of the outdoor clothing shops. We stopped in the Market Bridge and I had what I think was my first Gelato experience. Gelato is Italian ice cream and is much creamier and richer than our ice cream. We got a cup with half chocolate and chocolate/hazelnut. It was AMAZING!!! If you ever get a chance to eat some real Gelato made fresh, you need to do it, your mouth will be so happy with you.

Well it was back on the road with M at the wheel. The sun was out, the music was playing, and I was smiling. We stopped at a campground and let the dogs run around and even chase some deer. We then stopped at Target in Coeur d’alene so we could poke around. Some of you might think, why. Why stop at a Target? Well folks, we don’t have a Target so its a treat if you go out of town and get to visit one :)

It was a really great weekend and M and I confirmed that we could travel together by the seat of our pants. Its funny how different people travel. From those that need hard core itineraries to those who don’t know where they are going to be in 5 minutes and others in between. I advise you to make sure you know what kind of traveling buddies you have before you go on some long adventure. It really could make for a horrible trip if everyone isn’t aware of how people in their party like to travel.

I wanted a relaxing weekend, with little expectation, and good company. I’d say my weekend couldn’t have been more perfect. Thanks to the Seaman’s & Virginia for making my weekend complete and to you my reader’s for letting me relive it!