Slight Detour: Saturday Slight

It was somewhat of a "road to nowhere" day for Bill and me yesterday as we took off on an afternoon outing.

Bill wanted to scout out Dennick Lake, east of Elmira, for fishing and maybe even kayaking.

He suggested that we'd be taking a half-mile hike to get there from where we would park. I had been there years and years ago with my mother and simply remembered a whole bunch of brush.

Well, yesterday, that wasn't the case.

We soon discovered that the road into the lake is in the process of being rebuilt. When we saw two giant pieces of construction equipment blocking the road, we turned around and decided to come back another day.

Moving on, we traveled a mile or two through an area which is well-populated with residents living an off-the-grid type lifestyle.

Motives may vary as we met Gabrielle, a local naturopath and writer whose family has resided in this stretch of back country for more than 30 years.

We also met her neighbors, the Gilmores, whose residency in that area dates to the 1980s. Pete Gilmore remembered Bill during his Boy Scout scoutmaster years.

Other stretches along our drive are adorned with an array of "No Trespassing" signs, surveillance reminders and a few leftover political flags.

After visiting with Gabrielle, we turned off on another road but did not get far as we found a tree blocking the route. As we backed out, we once again saw Gabrielle who was walking her dog.

She told us the recent story of a couple in a van who thought they could get past the tree but got stuck. He took off looking for help while she stayed in the van----the wrong direction and ended up five miles away from the van.

She said it turned out to be quite the ordeal, lasting nearly 24 hours for the couple.

After leaving Gabrielle again, we headed on down the road that goes into Grouse Creek but didn't get far on that one either. There was enough snow to tell us it would be a good idea to back out of that road too.

In spite of getting nowhere on Bill's original goal, we enjoyed our little sojourn and especially meeting some of the locals.

Another highlight of a very pleasant Friday from start to finish involved Friday-night dinner. Last night Bill suggested we use the gift card Barbara and Laurie had given us for Mick Duffs.

Figuring we'd never make it inside the popular downtown restaurant now located in the old post office turned library turned title company, we agreed to a Plan B.

We were pleasantly surprised, however, that there was a wait, but we could sit outside at some beautiful big picnic table and enjoy a beer during our wait.

While Bill was getting the beer, I sat and enjoyed the view and the pleasant and pastoral spring atmosphere.

After a few minutes, a man came walking over to the table with a big smile on his face.

He knew me, but I wasn't so sure--happily for just an instant---who he was. As he moved closer, I looked into that face, and am sure my face lit up with excitement as I recognized Nick Rust.

I haven't seen him in nearly 25 years. What a treat, especially because Nick and our family have history. Most prominently would be the story of Nick and our Annie at St. Joseph's Catechism when they were both in first grade.

Let's just say the initial report issued to me by their teacher Sue Bristol did not paint them to be saints.

I'll never forget when Sue told me that Annie and "Nicholas" liked to "cavort around" rather than focusing on their faith.

Later, that year when Sue called me (it was after our house fire), she was worried if Annie was okay because she was behaving so well.

Not often you get calls with concern about good behavior.

I assured her that Annie was doing just fine.

Fast forward to the high school years of Nick and Annie. Turns out Nick signed up for my graphic arts class at Sandpoint High.

I could not have asked for a more dedicated, passionate student. No cavorting anymore from this kid.

It was obvious he loved the creative aspects and the challenges the class, and he put his whole heart and soul into every project.

Nick found his way into my heart during that time, and I've known over the years that he had a tile business in Sandpoint, but our paths have never crossed until last night.

So, the treat of enjoying a meal at one of our favorite restaurants in its new quarters and dining at Mick Duff's for the first time in a year was enhanced all the more by that brief visit with Nick.

Nick Rust and Annie Love have always walked to their own beat, and we who knew them when can all be proud that they have both made the most of their lives in creative, meaningful and fun ways.

I also have a feeling, with both of these SHS Class of 1997 grads, that there's been more cavorting along the way.

Great seeing you, Nick!

As we were leaving Mick Duff's we also spotted some of our Friday-night dinner friends from Pre-Pandemic times.

Lynn Poelstra and her hubby Rik walked in. We were pleased to learn that they are in the process of moving to Lynn's childhood home in Sagle and will soon be residents of the area, working remotely, like so many others during these times.

Anywho, it was great day yesterday, filled with good peeps, beautiful scenes and fun times.

Happy Saturday.