On shimmering water, over dusty trails and even in the Lovestead shade, we family members enjoyed a full day yesterday.
No other way to put it as some went on a hike, some did some horsing around, one stayed home to greet visitors and others went kayaking.
Bill, Willie, Debbie and Annie set out early in the morning to make the "three-peak" hike which Bill and Willie had done 10 years ago, setting out a geocache on top of each peak.
Well, when they made it to the first peak, somehow the ease of that trip ten years ago seemed mystifying yesterday. Could be ten years has an impact on the human body.
Anyway, on a day which had been set aside for a giant 20-year celebration of geocaching in Seattle, these trekkers made up for the cancellation of the organized event and happily found that the geocache set out by Loblollylove on Goat Mountain ten years ago was in pretty good shape.
I did receive a text that it would be a "one-peak" day and that they were on their way down the mountain. Later, the visibly tired hikers told me that I made a good choice staying home.
While they were trudging up the trail, Barbara, Laurie and my brother Kevin from Frenchtown, Mont., traveled to Blanchard where family friend and trainer Mary Marienau is working with Kevin's young Arabian gelding Newly.
They spent time watching Mary demonstrate what the pretty palomino has learned since arriving at her facility several weeks ago.
Meanwhile, here at the Lovestead, I tended to projects nonstop. When there's nothing to interrupt, it's amazing how much can get accomplished.
My goal was to complete several items in time to sit down in the front yard and visit with my high school classmate Rod Johnson and his wife Mary who had come up to Sandpoint to attend a funeral.
Check. Check. Check, and happily all but one item on my list was crossed off, and I'd even had time to relax before Rod and Mary showed up.
It was a quick visit because they had another stop, but it was quality and delightful.
We wasted no time telling stories of yesteryear when we were united for life as part of the Sandpoint High Class of 1965.
I especially loved the story Rod and Mary told about their first-ever meeting as teens at Community Hall where their church was putting on a fundraiser. Both had ended up in the kitchen cutting lettuce. Both cut their fingers and both were sent out of the kitchen.
The rest is history of a full and happy life enriched by eight kids.
I think the three of us would agree that the visit ended all too soon, but we'll also savor the memory.
Soon after Rod and Mary went on their way, Kevin called and said they would be over to help me load kayaks.
Along with our friend Nancy, Kevin, Barbara and I headed north on HWY 95 bound for McArthur Lake for what would be Kevin's maiden voyage with his recently purchased kayak.
Once again, it was relaxing and exhilarating, paddling around that lake where Barbara and I had a heydey, snapping photos of our party and of the wonderful plant and animal life around islands of reeds.
A wonderful Saturday for all involved. Some of us have the pictures to validate our experiences, while other have tired, aching joints and muscles.
The great reward of days like yesterday: For each of us, our chosen events provided a welcome and uplifting shield from the sad realities and frustration associated with the Pandemic and the acrimony which dominates so much of our daily life.
Yes, there definitely are still silver linings aplenty in this wonderful world if we simply seek them out.
Regardless of each unique activity, I'm sure ALL of us will treasure our respective memories of a warm August day circa 2020.
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