Some days are so packed with activity that yesterday actually seems to be two or three days ago. I asked Dave S.  a while ago if this was really the same day that started out this morning.  We were up and out of here early to tackle Tubbs Hill.  Here is a little excerpt continuing from where I left off last night from the web page:

“Tubbs Hill and the City of Coeur d’Alene were once part of the vast 4 million-acre territory claimed by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The Coeur d’Alene’s were a semi-nomadic tribe with an estimated population of 3,000 to 4,000 people. They refer to themselves as Schitsu’umsh, meaning “Discovered People”, and acquired the name Coeur d’Alene from French Canadian trappers. According to one popular story, the trappers attempted to trade for valuable furs with insignificant items. The Native Americans were shrewd traders and stated that the trappers had hearts as small as the point of an awl. Accepting the retort, the trappers called the tribe Coeur d’Alene or “Heart of the Awl.”

Well, you don’t walk too fast with a two year old in tow.  She tired quickly and would only progress reluctantly.  Daddy Brian did a lot of carrying.  It was a challenging, rocky course, but with many wonderful lookout points of interest.  It was worth it to go to the downtown area of CDA early today.  Not only did we enjoy our two hour hike in the cool of the morning but we also had opportunity to get great parking spots for the Car d’Alene.  And boy did they ever have some beautiful old classics.  I especially enjoy the ones I remember from my own childhood.  I didn’t take many photos but I did include a 1954 Chevy similar to the one we owned when I was a child.  We had that car for many many years.

After the hike we all went to the children’s climbing park and I enjoyed everything the kids enjoyed.  Especially the kiddy slides.  The spiral was my favorite.  We were there until lunch time.  I had a date with 9 year old Ashton and we went strolling to lunch.  He chose to eat at a Bakery and we had some great food!  Afterward we headed on foot to the Car show which was just one block away.  Ashton and I spent most of the afternoon there eating Kettle corn.  We finally met up again with all the other people in our group.  We had to take three cars because of all the children’s car seats (3). Two cars full, which included mine, went to Costco.  Afterward my car stopped at another store and we finished getting our last items needed to prepare tacos for the dinner meal.  We have been hosting the meal here most nights as a way to say thank you to Brian and Tracy for allowing us to stay in their rental home at no charge for 8 nights.  With 5 in their family and 4 of us that is a big dinner each night!  It has been great to cook in a kitchen that just belongs to the guests (us)!  But it still feels like it is not my kitchen.  Everyone is great in chipping in to either help in prep or do clean-up.  I have done the cooking.  So far I have had no complaints so until I do I’ll just keep trying to come up with some interesting and delicious food.

After dinner, I was still eating, there were guest that came knocking at the door.  They were neighbors who recognized Brian and Tracy were over and they came over to visit.  Brian and Tracy formerly lived in this house.  There were four who came in so that made 13.  Two of which were babies.  THERE WAS A LOT OF NOISE!

I needed to get a reservation for the Wednesday I am leaving so I set up my computer on the kitchen table adjacent to the open living room.  One or two babies crying, (loudly), five adults talking loudly in the living room, and Ericka and I having a conversation in the adjacent kitchen, it sounded like bedlam.  Plus Sam and Buddy (the dogs) scampering under feet as they wanted to play fetch.  They even brought their own slimy ball.  Everything was cleaned up by David S. and Ericka as I just sat here hunting and pecking at keys and studying maps.  I never leave anything out on the table when I am finished and put it all away in my bedroom when I am finished working!  And long about now I wonder if I will finish tonight or fall asleep and fall off my chair.  Seriously, that was what I was thinking.

Much has been left out of today due to fatigue setting in.  More sleepy that fatiguing but it causes me to be unable to stay a wake.

I  just wonder how it took such a long day to do all I did today!  It will soon be tomorrow, so must close.  Be certain you to view the photos.

One last thing.  Ashton and I were in a toy store Pig Pickles and I met a young lady named Katherine.  Katherine is 19 years old and here is her wisdom: “Value things in life that don’t go away.  Value your family. Invest your time in them.  Find that one thing in your life that gives you meaning and for me that is living my faith because that is what I have invested my time in because it is the one things that isn’t going to go away. Find that one thing in your life that has meaning and invest in it.”  

Good night.  It is 12:05 a.m.  I’m off to bed via the dryer to take out my washed and dried clothes that just buzzed me.  Now it really isn’t just one day because now it is tomorrow!