Cruising

Bill and I are going on a cruise, and it's free, except for the $2.10 per gallon gas we'll be using to get to and from the boat. That ought to amount to no more than $10 with today's gas prices; in fact, it could be even a little less, depending on what kind of gas mileage his Ford Ranger pickup gets.

We'll be getting on the boat at 1:30 today and de-boating at 4 p.m. This cruise ain't on no luxury liner, but the price is right, and the scenery ought to be pretty. Plus, there'll be a little nostalgia for me. I don't know what boat we're using but I use to cruise Lake Coeur d'Alene every week back in the summer of 1965.

We rode the Dancewanna from the Coeur d'Alene dock to Camp Neewahlu, which I understand is now owned by that Law and Order star who moved to Coeur d'Alene a few years ago.

In 1965, our weekly cruises amounted to going to work and returning from work. We went to work on Wednesday afternoons and came back from work on Tuesday afternoons after a week spent with each succeeding group of Campfire Girls.

My friend Terry Chronic and I ranked at the bottom of the food chain as far as prestige among employees was concerned. We washed dishes as part of our work-study program, which was brand new back then at the University of Idaho and other colleges across the country. We earned $1.25 per hour for eight hours of work each day.

Terry and I streamlined our operation from spending about 12 hours a days washing dishes the first week to a mere three or four by the end of the summer. There's a lot to be said for polishing one's routine, and with experience, we learned how to get those dishes through that washer with the utmost efficiency.

That meant more time sitting on the docks and visiting with the waterfront staff who had responsibility when they were on the docks.

We eventually took for granted cruises on Lake Coeur d'Alene back in 1965 because they simply reflected a means to an end. Today's trip should be a lot different.

We're cruising today because the Soil and Water Conservation folks are holding their state convention at The Coeur d'Alene Hotel this week, and the cruise kicks off the activities. Bill will also act as emcee for their dinner tonight at the hotel. So, he has to work and I get to come along for the ride. Not a bad deal.

I'll be going to Coeur d'Alene again later this week, to the hotel again. No cruise for me. Instead, I'm checking out what goes on with the 3 C's Book Club, which raises thousands of dollars for charitable causes in the Coeur d'Alene area.

The group has invited me to speak about my book Lessons with Love at their December meeting. Since they usually have college professors speak about the books the group has chose to read each month, I'm feeling a bit intimidated. So, this month's meeting ought to give me some clues to how much and what kind of preparation I'll have to do for my program.

Anyway, I'll be getting my share of traveling this week, and today's cruise on the lake ought to be fun, especially cuz the weather's looking pretty good.

Hope you all have a great Sunday. That's it from the Lovestead.