I don't know if I'd ever seen this stump before, but I've seen a lot like it in the Grouse Creek area northeast of Sandpoint.

When Bill first moved to this country during the winter of 1973, we went for a trip up Grouse Creek.

And, this coulda been the stump that impressed him so much about the size of timber harvested during the days of Humbird Lumber Company's presence here back in the early Twentieth Century.

For nearly 40 years, I've held a special affection for Grouse Creek. That all started back in the late '60s when I went to work for the Forest Service.

Most of our summer job that year involved surveying nine miles of the Grouse Creek Road for the F.S. Engineers. We learned about abne levels and climbing up side hills and down through thick brush to get the measurements needed for potential road improvement.

That was the job description, but the friendships and the appreciation for the beauty of the back woods launched a lifetime of good memories and a desire to return to Grouse Creek whenever possible.

I took the dogs with me yesterday to go scope out an area where riders can cross the creek and continue on an old logging railroad grade. Janice Schoonover told me about it the other day. Now that I've seen it for myself, I'll have to make some plans for taking Lily and doing some exploring.

Before that happens, however, I'm planning to make sure she gets used to crossing water. If all works out today, weatherwise, we'll head over to the Ginter Fish and Game property on Rapid Lightning Creek Road. There are a couple of water crossings, fairly safe and confidence building, so that should give her some good experience for the Grouse Creek trail.

I'm anxious to ride in that area and add to the memories.