Filling the fall bucket

~~A scene along Elmira Road about 20 miles north of Sandpoint.~~

Elmira Road could also be known as Christmas Tree Lane with its hundreds of acres of manicured ornamental trees of all sizes.

~~~~~

Our weather has been exquisite. Yesterday we had near record temperatures for this time of the year, in the 90s.

It was too hot to ride my horse and to continue digging spuds from the garden, so I took the dogs and went for a drive.

I've decided to not waste a minute of this wonderful early autumn weather. My goals are simple: try to do something each day which involves new experiences of any kind.

Last week I took my Lily for her first solo trail ride. I survived; so did she.

Yesterday I took a slight detour off Elmira Road after seeing the sign pointing to Bloom Lake. Elmira Road goes through to Grouse Creek, so my trip would be a loop, bringing me right back to Selle.

I'd never been to Bloom Lake, though, so this would fulfill my rules and add a little bit of substance to my fall bucket list of "things to do that create good memories."

The Bloom Lake Road is in pretty good shape. Fortunately, it has a turnout or two cuz I heard a noise and reacted in time to pull into the wide spot before the logging truck barreling down the hill met head-on with me. He waved approval as I pulled over.

Nice to have that Forest Service experience from years past where we always kept a window open to hear that distinct roar of a loaded truck coming down the mountain.

Later I met a guy in a pickup and asked if any more rigs were coming. He said no.

So, I kept driving until I found Bloom Lake.

Turns out it's owned by the Cook family---same ones that own the Elmira Store.

Bloom Lake is private but public. After later meeting up with the guy in the pickup on my way home, I learned that the place had been logged about ten years ago and parked out for a campground.

There's a caretaker who lives up there---Mike Chisholm. He has a nice display of petunias in big pots at the end of his short driveway.

I drove on in to the campground and fell in love with its charm. Everything is neat and tidy and ready for folks who want to camp out, go boating, hike or go catch some fish.

The rules are posted, and the rules are simple. Take care of the place and donate what you can to the caretaker for its upkeep.

I think the simplicity of this beautiful spot could serve as an example for all the complexities we seem to encounter in the world far from lovely shores of Bloom Lake.

Anyway, another wonderful experience to add to my bucket. See photos below.

I'm planning one today too. Another trail ride with Lily and this time she may meet some cows as we plod through the woods.

Hopefully, we'll both survive once more, and the bucket of good life memories will continue to fill.