Myrtle Creek Berries and Jo.

The photos above hardly reflect the day, but it's important to note, from our experience yesterday, the Myrtle Creek drainage is hardly the haven for huckleberries from Heaven.

If what Bill and I found during our drive up Myrtle Creek and down through the Snow Creek drainage reflects this year's Huckleberry Heaven, times are tough in the great beyond of berry picking.

Actually, we found enough berries for a couple of nights of huckleberry sundaes, but gathering those took time and several stops along the road.

We did eventually run across a couple of small patches with nice berries as we proceeded further up the road.  This discovery led to the conclusion that down-low bushes may have caught a freeze when berries were sprouting, while those high up experienced some good conditions to get their start. 

Anyway, yesterday's adventure involved a lot more time picking and searching than taking photos.  That's not to say, however, the our route was beautiful from start to finish. 

It's been a long time since I've been that far up on the Myrtle Creek Road----especially the part where "Myrtle's Turtle," a rock-climbers' favorite suddenly shows up, dominating the scene. 

We also passed by numerous babbling brooks with little waterfalls, flowing from the mountainsides.  

Turns out some parts of our trip looked very familiar once we went through Cook's Pass, a route we took last fall and where we got out, walked up to an open hillside and actually took a selfie of the two of us. 

It was sad while coming down to hear of yet another horrific accident, halting traffic around the Lake Pend Oreille Bridge for several hours.  In this case, one local woman died (described by a Facebook friend as 'Dubs leading lady) and three others were injured.  

This town has been hit hard over the past few days by loss.  Many drivers rerouted by yesterday afternoon's accident were returning from a memorial service for a well-known and much beloved Sandpoint resident who had suddenly passed away a few weeks ago.   

In addition, many of us who've lived here forever are very saddened by the passing of a lady I like to call "the beloved and friendly face at the Sandpoint Post Office."  

Joan Hawkins Robbins passed away Friday night. 

She was a longtime good friend, the mother of three wonderful children (all former students), and even, during one school year, one of my adult students. 

I have so many good and fun "Jo Hawkins" memories. That's how I referred to her for years, even after her first husband Will died.  

Will had the postcard business here in the community.  As a team, Will and Jo once hosted famed Mt. Everest mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary at their unique Sunnyside home.

How many people can boast an in-house waterfall and a dining-room table made up of a rock slab supported on chains hanging from the ceiling?

Jo is the lady in the center wearing the red top. This photo was taken a few years back when the coffee cult went to her house for coffee and her fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. Sadly, both Jo and Maggie (standing to her right) have passed away this year. 

The coffee cult will never be the same with the loss of these two wonderful ladies. 

I mentioned that Jo was the beloved, friendly face of the post office.  In those days, just about everyone in Sandpoint knew her.  Her outgoing, helpful and warm-nature and seemingly endless energy endeared her to post office customers and actually made the task of going to mail letters or packages a treat.

Jo knew everyone in town too, well enough in those days to see to it that improperly addressed mail made it to the recipient, unlike the situation these days when one number off on a road with three residents will be returned to sender. 

Once she called and told me we had a letter at the post office.  We could pick it up or she would bring it out.  It was addressed:  Mr. Bill and Marianne, Up Behind Harold Tibbs' place, Sandpoint, Idaho.

Jo, with her strong, caring work ethic, was just that way, and these days with the growth of Sandpoint, we miss that kind of personal service.  I'm sure many people in town can share similar stories about her special touch. 

Back in the 1980s, Jo enrolled in my night class for adults, an English skills refresher taught through North Idaho College.  As usual, she added a touch of fun to each session. 

She also helped out as a volunteer when I advised the drill team during the 1970s.  Both Mitzi and Nikki, her daughters, were Ponderettes. 

On a trip to Wenatchee, Jo chaperoned and met my other friends Jan and Marilyn.  That meeting forged a friendship with those drill team moms that lasted for years, with lunch and dinner gatherings among the group for years. 

I visited Jo or Joan a few weeks ago.  Sadly, she suffered from the same cruel disease that stole so much quality of life from our mother.  I don't think Jo knew me that day, but I'm glad to have seen her for one last time.  

Many of us have lost a great friend whose zest for life, creativity and enthusiasm touched us often and in so many positive ways.  Happily, her children Mitzi, Nikki, Bill and her grandchildren carry those same genes and will carry on her legacy through their own good works. 

RIP, Jo! I'll miss you.