Saturday Slight

Bill and the doggies looking off toward Wiley Knob and Grouse Mountain.

It was a great Friday yesterday---hiking, shooting, visiting and eating Second Avenue Pizza.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Bill and I enjoyed what was finally a genuine day of retirement . . . almost, anyway.  He had to go to the office to fill out his time sheets.  On paper, Nov. 17 is his final day with the State of Idaho.  In practice, he's taking leftover vacation days until then.

Our day of fun began just before lunch, so we stopped at Pack River General Store and picked up some pigs in a blanket.  These aren't just any dogs in a blanket; these are the kind only the gals at the general store could put out.  Wonderfully tasty, homemade biscuit-dough blankets surrounding a huge hotdog.  Warmed up and served with some tangy mustard.

I told Bill it was dangerous that I'd tasted one of those.  I'll have to be careful cuz they could become a habit, as just about everything is at the Pack River General Store.

We stopped there on our way up Rapid Lightning Creek Road to spend some time in the huge Aspen grove, which has not quite turned its fall colors yet.  Great part of that is that another trip is in store to catch the golds, reds, oranges contrasting with magnificent tall, slim white tree trunks.

Yesterday we hiked down into a creek bed to find remnants of an old logging railroad.  A few wrong turns and a few gripes later, we found the spot where we looked at a rail and several spikes which have remained in the ground since the early Twentieth Century.

After returning to the pickup, Bill pulled out his pistol.  The green pop can got the worst of it from his aim but enjoyed several passes from mine.  

After shooting several rounds, we drove on up the road to enjoy the vista of the Selkirk Mountains, including Chimney Rock.  

Later, Bill met with a friend while I attended the Homecoming Barbecue at the Sandpoint High School lawn.  For a first-timer, this event was a rousing success---the mechanical bull, Sumo wrestling, face painting, food, fun all over and lots of visiting.  

After that, Bill and I met again at Second Avenue Pizza, where he swears the Calzones keep growing.  I enjoyed my ultimate bacon sandwich, salad and tater chips, and then we called it a day.

Another busy one on tap today, hopefully lots of good outdoors time as we enjoy the gift of good weather and ever-changing colors.

Happy Saturday.