Slight Detour: Saturday Slight

Our pretty snow covering is slowly melting away, thanks to overnight rain, which continues to fall.

I'm happy about the rain because my "dirtiest car in North Idaho" is getting a bath.

We do have a paved road now, but it ends after 2,200 feet, and there's virtually no transition to the muddy potholes and an emphatic bumpy ride.

My trip over to Roxane's on Thursday allowed plenty of time for the car to become coated with mud.

It's so dirty that people in town have noticed and said things to me about my filthy Subaru.

I noticed this morning, though, that most of the mud is washing off with the rain.

I also noticed yesterday that I'm not the only Bonner County driver with the Muddy Car Blues.

This observation came while I was standing in the checkout line at the Dollar Store where everything costs $1.25.

When a gal I knew walked out the door, it did my heart good to see the telltale mud smear on the calf of her jeans.

A kinship formed instantly, knowing she, too, might not always raise her leg high enough to miss the mud along the running board when she steps out of her car.

This morning, I discovered similar smears on both pant legs and then wondered how many stores I had left where people made similar observations about me.

It happens a lot in this area throughout winter and spring because of all the dirt roads.

This week I experienced something else that happens a lot with cars driving down roads, mainly highways, in this area during winter and spring.

Twas HWY 95 on my return trip from Bonners Ferry Thursday. I was approaching the Pack River Bridge when I heard a sharp pop as a couple of cars went past.

Within seconds, I saw a brand new divot in the middle of the wind shield.

I don't remember if the Subaru has gone through cracked windshield syndrome before. It's very possible because I don't think we've ever had a vehicle that did not need its windshield replaced once or twice.

I'm hoping this rock-imposed flaw will remain as is and not start spread all over the wind shield.

Time will tell.

My oldest brother Mike graduated from the U.S.

Military Academy at West Point in 1962.

Many of his classmates were featured in the Rick Atkinson book called The Long Gray Line: the American Journey of West Point's Class of 1966.

The book is a page turner, and for folks of my age, its backdrop reflects a segment of American history that we all experienced.

Anyway, we, as a family, are proud of my oldest brother who received his nomination to West Point from Idaho Congressional Representative Gracie Pfost.

It is also common for us to share Mike's pride in his alma mater whenever the Army-Navy game is played.

Today is that day, and I know I'll be watching along with Mike and probably other family members.

GO, ARMY!

In the household of another Sandpoint academy graduate (the Navy), I'm sure the game has become a mixed bag, as Greg Parker ( No. 1 graduate of his 1990 class at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis) and his wife Corey will be watching as their son cheers on the team as a member of the West Point Corps of Cadets.

Don't know who these family members will cheer for, but we all know that regardless of the game favorites, all are proud of their association with these esteemed service academies.

My brother posted a video similar to the one below on Facebook yesterday.

The video was produced a few years ago to promote the Army-Navy football game.

In addition to the Army-Navy game, we in Idaho, and especially the Love kids (BSU grads) have reasons to be proud.

A Boise State Broncos football player is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. I have read a couple of stories that suggest Ashton Jeanty is even a favorite, noting he has had one of the most productive season in college football history.

Neat for the state of Idaho if he wins.

GO, ASHTON!