It's almost the middle of July already! We've been here in Spokane since July 1 and I don't know where the time goes.
We had a relatively easy 110 mile trip from Ephrata to Spokane on US 2, passing by huge wheat, hay and rape fields.
Technically, we're not in Spokane. We have a site at the Northern Quest Casino RV Park in Airway Heights, just a few miles west of the city itself. We're only about 9 miles from Jesse and Erin's sweet old house so we can see them often.
site 17 |
We spent last summer here also, but this year we have a large end site with lots of grass around us. The weather has been wonderful so far, sunny and mostly high 80s. A year ago the temperatures were in the 100s and the air was heavy with smoke.
some dramatic skies but no storms |
Since we've been on the road for almost 3 months already we've been using this extended time to take care of business.....as well as spending as much time as we can with Jesse and Erin. New glasses, a few Beluga items that Dave wants to take care of, organizing some appointments for the fall, a bit of deep cleaning, and a veterinarian appointment for Lewis, and a few naps of course.
Our house in Wickenburg doesn't have any stairs (yay) and since we've been on the road we've noticed he is having a little trouble with Beluga's stairs, his back legs aren't very strong anymore. We'd like to make him a little more comfortable and preserve the mobility he has. He's not on any medication and is happy and energetic otherwise, so we wanted to see what's available for him. We had an appointment with Jesse's vet last week and their feeling is that he has age related nerve degeneration. A course of acupuncture was suggested and we were very fortunate to find a very caring practitioner who worked hard to squeeze us in for the 3 weeks of treatments. His first appointment is this Thursday - Finger's crossed!
Here are some pictures of our time with Jesse and Erin (and Molly and Dexter) so far. First things first....
sweet Miss Molly |
Dexter |
As I said, the weather has been perfect. Their backyard is just lovely, a shady grape arbor, beautiful plantings, a little burbling "pond" and a sunny deck. We've been able to spend a little time there and it's so pleasant.
sometimes conversation is so boring zzzzz |
We took Lewis over to meet Molly and have dinner with us outside on the deck. The dogs got along well but didn't really interact. We're taking it slowly, there's a big age and stability difference between the two and we want things to go well for all of us!
Lewis really enjoyed going deep into Molly's toy basket |
One afternoon Jesse and Molly picked us up and we took a picnic lunch to Boulder Beach to see how sweet Molly liked the water. She's relatively "new" to them and hadn't had a chance to show off her skills yet.
lunch view |
It was a weekday so the popular swimming spot on the Spokane River was very quiet.....just how we like it! We sat and enjoyed our sandwiches and Molly waited patiently. Does she like the water? Yes she does! Is she a good swimmer? Yes she is!
focus |
their eyes are on the ball.....can you see it? |
she wags as she swims! |
Erin had to work and couldn't spend the lovely afternoon with us....we all missed her.
After lunch and swimming Jesse gave us a little auto tour through an area of the city that he will be dealing with as the city's new Executive Director of the Northeast Public Development Authority.
One evening Dave and I went to dinner by ourselves at one of our favorite nearby restaurants, Latah Bistro. Good food, good wine and nice outdoor seating.
halibut and tuna |
Jesse's birthday was yesterday and Erin planned a delightful weekend at Lake Pend Oreille to celebrate. She rented an adorable tiny house in the woods with spectacular lake and mountain views. Google et al. evidently weren't familiar with the wooded dirt roads around the lake and gave Jesse and Erin quite a tour of the area before they finally found the house. We moved Beluga to nearby campground and we spent the weekend together. Friday night we had a cookout outside the tiny house.
I'm sorry I didn't take any photos of the little house, it was nicely done....sort of a wooden fifth wheel with a full, albeit small kitchen, 3 piece bathroom complete with washer, a sitting room and two queen bedrooms all with those views.....
Saturday we spent the afternoon outside at the house - did I mention the views? We drove into Sandpoint for dinner at Arlos Ristorante (excellent food but....they ran out of cannoli, didn't they know it was his birthday?).
Sunday, the actual birthday, Erin had reserved a speedboat for the afternoon. Not much better than an afternoon on a beautiful lake with dear ones. Except, perhaps an afternoon on a lake with dear ones AND sub sandwiches and wine. It was a windy day so we had some exciting runs across the lake to find calmer waters. Molly couldn't keep her ears from blowing but she was stoic.
a happy man |
don't ask...... |
We ended our day at Beluga for a birthday dinner of Manicotti and Strawberry Rhubarb pie. The weekend couldn't have been nicer or more memorable.
no manicotti for us? |
We'll be here until the end of August, with another short trip to western Washington planned. Stay tuned.
Time spent with family is priceless isn't it! I sure hope the acupuncture helps Lewis. Mike tells a scary story about being caught out on Lake Pend Oreille in a sailboat during a storm.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Mike survived - That lake is stunningly beautiful but I imagine it could turn terrible quickly in a storm!
DeleteLooks like it's already a great summer in eastern WA! Sending good vibes for Lew; it's hard getting old. Not much better than a swimmin' Lab, a chonky cat, good food, and dear ones. Oh, and getting to say Ponderay!!! which much always be done with great gusto and an arm sweep.
ReplyDeletePonderay!!!! (said with arm sweeping) Simple things are always the best, dogs and cats and eating and dear folks near us, and sun and a lake too!
DeleteNow that looks like a fun over-the-top birthday weekend. Certainly a special few days at the lake. So many fun things to do in the Spokane area. Enjoy your time with the family and the adventures that Eastern WA has to over.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff! Any suggestions for eastern Washington adventures? We're always open for suggestions....
ReplyDeleteHA! Jesse and Erin will have plenty of fun ideas. Lots of waterfalls and wineries could be in your future :)) I'm partial to the small Estate Wineries, anxious to see which ones you visit.
DeleteIt’s Gay…happy birthday to Jesse and congrats to him on his new job. I love Molly already. Good luck to Lewis and prayers that the procedures work…I love him too. And what a wonderful start to your summer with Jesse and Erin, Dexter and Molly. Tell Dave we are waving back…what a most fun weekend and birthday celebration.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you posted on Lew's "treatments", we haven't told him yet. Molly is hard to resist, she's a way cool little girlie.
DeleteSo glad you're having beautiful, smoke free skies this year! It looks like you're having a fabulous time with Jesse and Erin and the critters. Dexter cracks me up, Molly is adorable, and Lew is hilarious rooting through the toy bin. Love the beautiful photos of your time at the lake, and that is a fabulous photo of Dave relaxing in the boat!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel, we're having a great time with them and their creatures! Great entertainment value!
DeleteI love that photo with Erin laughing at...I'm sure, Dave. Great catch! I can only imagine what antics Dave is up to. What a terrific birthday weekend. Erin did a super job planning it all. I'm glad no one is bothering Lewis at the birthday dinner while he takes a rest...haha! After all, it is his sofa! Fingers crossed for success on Thursday fro my furry boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam....we did have a good time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area and perfect place to spend quality time with family! Poor Lewis. I am fascinated by the idea of acupuncture and will be interested to hear how it goes. The 2-legged folks I know who use it swear by it, so here's hoping it helps your sweet puppy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. I've seen acupuncture work wonders on a dear friend's little Dachshunds so we'll see!
DeleteYay for smoke-free skies! Looks like more fun times with the kids - Molly's a darling addition. Always great to get out on the water. We're enjoying your old stomping grounds this week :-)
ReplyDeleteWish we were there to show you around....but you're probably seeing more by yourselves!
DeleteMolly is adorable, but then again, I am partial to labs. Our Dakota loves the water as well and would play out there all day if we let her. Hope all goes well with Lewis and his appointment!
ReplyDeleteWe're partial to Labs too. We raised many, many Guide Dogs of the Lab persuasion in our day. We love to watch your sweet Dakota and her "brother". Thanks for the good wishes for old Lew!
Delete