All Aboard and Then Some

Leaving behind brilliant sunshine here in Sandpoint, Bill and I drove to Newport yesterday morning to join other family members and friends on a "fall-colors train ride" up the Pend Oreille River to Dalkena. 

Well, the sunshine meant to accent the fall colors along the Pend Oreille and in Newport coincided almost exactly with our return.  

We saw fog.  

We fogged up windows pretty much every time we opened our mouths as we looked out our windows, trying to conjure up a view.  

We also spent a lot of time wiping windows. 

During the trip, we also saw little clouds emanating from mouths pretty much every time someone said something.

Well, that's what those of our group who chose to stay inSIDE the train did to occupy our time while going up the tracks and then back down the tracks.

We also wondered at times just how the trio of brave snow bunnies of our bunch who chose to ride in the open-air car were doing.  We imagined them shivering or maybe even turning into petrified statues. 

Whenever we texted them from our inside car, it usually took time for someone to answer.  I'm guessing cold fingers.  

We also surmised that they would probably have a story all cooked up of how their experience was as pleasant as could be.  "What cold air?" they would surely ask. 

Actually, Bill, Debbie and Tammie did survive the open air, but we didn't hear too much bravado.  Instead, they almost admitted that it was pretty miserable.  Note "almost." 

The two people who probably had the most fun of our group included two foreign exchange students, Emma from Germany and Duna from Catalonia, the region in Spain which serves as home to Barcelona. 

Emma told me later that when Catalonia becomes independent from Spain, Duna will serve as its president.  

And, ya know what?  

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised cuz Duna is delightful and passionate about her region AND she has the natural charisma to pull off being a president some day. 

Anyway, when not checking their cell phones, these two 16-year-olds "conversed" continuously. 

And, since their faces were pointed at each other throughout the train ride, theirs was the only window on that whole train NOT FOGGED UP.  

I think their steady conversation also helped keep them warm.

In spite of the dismal, foggy scenes outside the train, we enjoyed our ride.  

We also enjoyed the costumed visitors and folks dressed in train apparel who circulated back and forth through our car with containers of Halloween candy and containers for donations. 

It had been a while since I'd seen former Bonner County Commissioner Brian Orr, and he has added some hair growth since the last time, so once he introduced himself, we enjoyed a nice visit. Brian and I once served on the museum board together.

As noted earlier, the sun did show up once we arrived back in Newport, so we enjoyed walking a few blocks to Kelly's Pub for a wonderful lunch and some more great visiting, especially with our two teens.  They're a hoot!

We also appreciated our service and send very special thanks to Nakia.  You were much too kind. Thank you again. 

Note the optimism of Tammie who wore her sunglasses in the fog. 

She, Bill and Debbie were also hopeful enough that the sun would shine----they decided to go open air on the train ride. 

Bill sat for a photo and then left us for the open air. 

My high school classmate Durell Harbison and his wife Gale. 

I love taking pictures and watching people taking pictures.

Looks like Bill had himself a harem yesterday. 

A nice man, who happened to be a career photojournalist, used my camera and snapped a few photos. 

Meanwhile, back at the Lovestead. . . . 

A late afternoon leaf pickup saw most of these disappear in readiment for the next layer. 

And, then, along came Duna, Debbie and Emma who were on their way to two teen parties right here in our neighborhood.

They took time out to drop by, meet the horses, bring them up from pasture and do a little Halloween decorating. 

I don't know if Lefty was too impressed, but he looked cute.

All in all, a great day, even if part of it was spent in the foggy, foggy dew.