EXTREMEly busy weekend

Tom Sherry says to get out the barbecue and just keep stuff on the grill all weekend cuz it's gonna be nice.

Well, right now about the only thing the grill could do for me is to warm me up.  It's still cold out there, and the clouds are hiding the mountains.  

Yesterday brought on the rain, the wind and extra jackets, and we haven't seen the end of it just yet.

Still, the lilacs are coming on, as are my lupine.  I'm figuring by the end of the weekend or maybe first of the week, this place will be vibrant with color and maybe some good smells. 

Lupine and lilac time is my favorite part of the year here. 

Anyway, whether or not our grill gets used this weekend is still the $64,000 question.  Remember when $64,000 used to sound like a lot of money to win on a game show.

I think we need to modify that saying to the $64,000,000 question, just to give it a bit more punch.

Back to the topic:  as with virtually every summer weekend around these parts, this one is overbilled with stuff to do.  I know that my friend Billie Jean is riding her bike in the ChaFE 150 (that means Cycle HArd for Education).

It's an annual event featuring bikers who pedal from Sandpoint to Montana and back.  I'm not sure whether Billie is doing the half-CHaFE or full one this year, but she always can count on a donation from me.  

All the money goes to local education projects, so it's a good cause and a wonderful experience for the riders. 

Bill has to work tomorrow at the Priest River Experimental Forest helping out with the University of Idaho Extension Thinning and Pruning Day.  

He's muttering downstairs that this is the centennial of the Priest River Experimental Forest and adding that Gifford Pinchot, Bob Marshal and Harry Gisborne (all giants in the forest industry) were there when it opened. 

I'm sure it will be a full and invigorating day for him. 

Debbie and I will be joining the other Women Honoring Women committee at a special luncheon tomorrow.  This one gives the committee a chance to get to know the five women chosen as this year's Women of Wisdom for the Sandpoint area.

This luncheon has been held at Patti Clemons home in Hope; it precedes the big gala scheduled for June 18 when families and friends will be added to the mix and Women of Wisdom Myrt Burnett, Sally Transue, Barbara Eacret, Helen Tapp and Jane Gould receive their pins and a whole lot of other recognition. 

This is also Farm Chicks weekend in Spokane and a gathering of Sisters on the Fly at Riverside State Park.  I'm trying to figure out when the best time is to squeeze in both events, and, believe me, it's not that easy with all the other stuff going on. 

Over in Auburn, Wash., my sister Laurie will be competing in the regional Arabian sport horse show with her new dressage gelding Manny, so we're hoping she does well.  

I used "EXTREME" in my title cuz Annie's involved in the most extreme of events this weekend.  She'll be part of a seven-member team, and her focus will be some rather "extreme" geocaching.  

Here's the scoop from the event website:  Wild Canyon Games (WCG) http://wildcanyongames.org/overview/ is the ultimate team based adventure race competition. 

Pushing adults to challenge themselves physically, mentally and emotionally, WCG gives teams the opportunity to achieve a common goal together… EXPERIENCE THE EDGE.

The Wild Canyon Games are held at Washington Family Ranch, a 66,000-acre “outdoor adventure” facility in Central Oregon. 

WCG provides an outdoor experience unlike any other by facilitating competitive outdoor events for elite athletes and the everyday competitor alike.

Seven member teams will spend June 3rd – 5th competing in a broad range of events including a sprint triathlon, 169 square mile geocaching race, elevated ropes course, canyon swing, zip line and blobbing events.

The Wild Canyon Games require team collaboration and strategy to break through physical and emotional barriers. 

Participants get a chance to improve communication, foster creativity and innovation, develop skills to build strong teams, enhance cohesiveness, recognize individuals’ talents and unique abilities, and sharpen problem-solving skills. 

You don’t want to miss out on this one of a kind opportunity!

Annie says they've been told to be sure to gas up at a certain place because the site for the games is very remote and that will be the last gas stop.  She also says there's no cell phone service.  This will be quite the challenge in itself for a bunch of technologically "wired" folks. 

A busy weekend, indeed, and I'm sure I've only scratched the surface.  I also have a feeling the grill may not get quite the workout that Tom Sherry suggested last night.

Still, it will be nice if we actually enjoy some barbecue weather for all the planned activities.  And, of course, we'll hope it's a safe time for all and that plenty of good stories come out of all these events.

Happy Friday.