One Fine Day

 

If I had stayed home yesterday, I would have worked in the yard and garden all day and my birthday would have been just another busy summer day. 

Around mid-morning, while I was watering the deck flowers, Bill asked if I wanted to take a short trip.  It took me some time waying the options, but I finally decided that a birthday should be something other than another day.  

My bucket list for the past few years has included enjoying a bite to eat at the Silver Spur Restaurant in Troy, Mont. One of my former students, La Rae, and her husband own the restaurant on the main drag through Troy. 

So, with that as the focal point, we loaded up dogs and took off toward Bonners Ferry.  

The entire trip involved continuing on to the east through Troy and then heading south on the Bull River Highway which connects with HWY 200.  A west turn would take us back through Clark Fork and Hope and then home. 

That loop drive, with so many gorgeous scenes and places to stop,  is one of the prettiest imaginable this time of year and even in the winter. 

Yesterday was no exception.  

Unfortunately, La Rae was not at the restaurant, but I left a note on the chalkboard inside the women's restroom, which is beautifully decorated with a Western theme.

After a mid-afternoon lunch, we took the dogs to Roosevelt Park, which lies alongside the Kootenai River. Bill, the dogs and I have visited that park many times, but yesterday we kept on walking and found a yurt for rent and some neat waterfalls. 

The place even has some apple and cherry trees along with some monuments to those who have served.  Plus the recreation sites for all ages are impressive. 

In short, Troy, Mont., has created a wonderful place for recreation and relaxation. 

I told Bill that the day felt like we were on a mini-vacation because it was so relaxing and inspiring with the occasional stops, the people we met and the fact that all that yard work was left behind, albeit for just a day. 

Turning 78 and having one's basically good health is a treasured gift in itself.  

Still, the blend of people, places, kind thoughts in cards and on Facebook, along with numerous amazing moments  make a birthday something very special. 

Thanks to all who made my day. 

Happy Thursday. 

While taking the dogs for a walk near the Kootenai River at the Yaak River campground launch, we had the pleasure of meeting Leo, Garrett and Maya.  

Leo lives at McGregor Lake, while Garrett and Maya are up visiting from Orange County, Calif. 

Naturally, purple haze and other hot fishing flies dominated the conversation with Bill and Leo, while Garrett and Maya enjoyed just plain getting acquainted.  

Garrett is a welder, while Maya is finishing up her training as an echocardiogram tech. 

Nice, nice people.  

I'm hoping that I had talked them into taking the same loop we did yesterday on their travels and that they would stop off at Ice House Pizzeria for the good food and world-class view of Lake Pend Oreille. 

 

Wanta rent a yurt alongside a magnificent river? 

Call City Hall in Troy, Mont. 

My former student LaRae has done a fabulous job creating an old Western theme at the Silver Spur Restaurant in Troy.

A pretty good way to live, I'd say. 

The dogs had a good time just like the peeps.  They enjoyed sniffing intently on several stops along the way.  

This scene was at the Avista picnic ground on the Bull River.