7B Fun at the Mountain

It's a tough life, but someone's gotta live here. 

I found myself bragging a couple of times yesterday to people visiting Schweitzer for its 7B opening for the summer season that "starting tomorrow I will have lived here for 71 years" and am proud of it. 

What a great experience it was to join the friendly crowds yesterday, enjoying perfect weather and mingling here and there among the food and drink venues while listening to local musicians. 

The dogs had a good time too. 

Plenty of room for everyone, albeit a bit crowded in the line waiting to board the chair lift for a ride to the top of the mountain.  

I chose to stay below while Debbie, Kaouli and Tammie climbed aboard.  I'm told there were a few white knuckles, especially when the lift stopped on the way down, but all in all, it wasn't bad for the first timer among the group who had never been to Schweitzer. 

I saw oodles of former students, took a few of their photos, said hi to my former neighbor and did some catching up with several old friends.  

Had no idea our family friend Alan Koski had attended Stinkin' Lincoln as a first grader.  I always knew he was an okay guy. 

While enjoying lunch at the Chimney Rock Restaurant we thoroughly enjoyed our server Denisa who's been in Sandpoint for one week----from Slovakia.  Thank you, Denisa, for your wonderful and friendly service.  

Hope you enjoy the summer in Sandpoint, and if you want to see a bit more of the area on one of your days off, feel free to contact me.  We'll make it happen. 

I also visited briefly with a former exchange student to Sandpoint High from Sweden.  Celia, who attended the high school about 20 years ago now lives in South Africa where she owns a bed and breakfast.  Fun reconnecting. 

Our group also sipped a few samples of Milltown Artisan Distillery.  Jessie (one of daughter Annie's classmates) and her hubby started up the enterprise, which features some whiskeys with grains grown on their farm west of Dover.  

Jessie told me yesterday that they have learned about some moonshine history associated with the farm several decades back, so it just seems appropriate for them to be following suit, albeit in totally legal fashion.

Schweitzer will be a great playground this summer for locals and visitors alike with all the hiking possibilities, zip line and horseback rides and fun features in the main village. 

I really enjoyed spending the last day of my 70th year up there, and look forward to heading up there again a few times over the summer.  

Great job, Schweitzer staff!

In other news, off in Portugal, Annie and her gang of pilgrims are about to complete their second day of walking.  She posted last night about the first LONG day.   

So go check out www.adventuregirlannie.com

I received a very special treat a few minutes ago when she sent me a video featuring Justine and her singing the birthday song.  Twas much appreciated. 

Hope you enjoy the photos. 

Tammie, Denisa, our server; Debbie and Kaouli (sp?). 

Meanwhile off in Portugal . . . .

I guess one meets all kinds of walkers on the Camino.

Adventure Girl Annie and her Adventure Girl Apprentice and cousin Justine looking pretty cheery after 23.5 miles of walking their first day of the Camino de Santiago from Portugal.