Slight Detour: Drive before the Storm

We had both been working at projects, indoors and outside, most of the day.

When Bill walked up from the woods around 3:30 yesterday afternoon, I was emptying my last cart load of raked-up residue.

"Do you wanta go for a short drive before the storm comes?" Bill asked as we walked toward the house.

Having accomplished a lot during the day, I thought, why not.

So, 20 minutes later, dogs were loaded in the pickup and we headed off to no particular place.

Eventually, when we passed Dub's headed west, it was obvious we'd be going Priest River way.

And, so we enjoyed the scenes along the road and talked about a wide-open place down on the Pend Oreille River which had suddenly seen some new development.

Bill told me about his forestry friend Don White from Coeur d'Alene who had been eyeing that area years ago, hoping he could buy it and raise Christmas trees.

Now, it's raising homes.

Since I wanted to get some pictures, I asked if we could stop for a minute at Crystal Lake where there's a dock and a whole lotta cattails.

The minute I stepped out of the pickup, a big bird off to the east launched off into the air and made its way to a tree limb across the lake.

I think it was either a golden or youthful eagle. I do know, though, that it created a pretty sight in the afternoon sky.

We drove on to Priest River, turning off and driving to the park, which was very quiet yesterday. Then we drove the street where West Bonner County School District office seemed pretty peaceful after all the conflict of last year.

When we drove past Timber Town brewery and pub, Bill said we should stop there some time. Then, he asked, "Do you want to do it today?"

Never one to turn down an opportunity get out of cooking dinner, I wasted no time saying, "Yes."

https://www.timbertownbeer.com/

Our time at the brewery was great fun because it was founded and is run by one of Becky and Ed Hawkins' sons.

Since we've known both forever, it was neat to meet a representative of the new generation.

A nice, engaging and interesting young man, Brandon, the owner, happens to be.

Once he learned about our longtime connections with his parents through 4-H, horses and school, the conversation flowed while he poured us each a "Clearcut" IPA and fixed us some sandwiches.

Brandon has been making beer since his mom first bought him a kit for brewing. He's worked in breweries in Wallace and the Moscow-Pullman area where he graduated from the University of Idaho.

Later, he attended a world renowned brewmaster course in Berlin.

So, I'd say Brandon knows his beers, and he knows his clientele at Timber Town in Priest River where logging and woods activity makes up a good portion of its history.

The decor and the beer choices in the Timber Town Brewery reflect an appreciation for that history. The bar and another long table are slabs of wood harvested from Brandon's family property north of Priest River.

Our beer was great as were the sandwiches. Bill had a turkey sandwich and broccoli soup while I enjoyed my messy but very tasty bratwurst with sauerkraut and stone-ground mustard.

We later met Brandon's wife Karlee, an architectural designer who helps her hubby with the business.

If you research the link for Timber Town, you'll see that a lot of thought has gone into the overall experience at the pub. I just announced to Bill that Tuesday, March 5 is fly-tying night.

He may just have to attend.

Twas a nice stop, filled with lots of mutual family reminiscing.

We'll be back.

And, now the storm has come, and it seems to be staying. The second time I went out and shoveled this morning, the snow appeared to be about 5-6 inches deep.

And, there's no sign that it's going to stop.

I'm not going to moan and groan like I usually do because of completing so much early yard work and clean-up. In fact, I finished the last of cleaning out flower beds yesterday afternoon.

Later this morning, there will be tractor work, snow blowing and shoveling replacing the raking and hauling off stuff in the cart which I've done for the past few days.

And, one more morning, I'm feeling grateful that my horses are living at Roxane's for the winter. It was a good call, even if the winter has been easier than usual.

Happy Wednesday.