Summer update

 We've been in Spokane for about three weeks now, and I can't believe how time is flying by.   We're not venturing too far from home, as you might imagine.   Family time takes priority.

We did take a few days away to celebrate our 53rd anniversary.   Jesse and Erin highly recommended the sweet little town of Nelson, BC and it sounded like just the ticket for us.     We stayed at the Prestige Lakeside Resort, on the shores of beautiful Kootenay Lake.

I "borrowed" this photo from the resort's brochure.

 Our room had a lovely balcony overlooking the lake and facing the Selkirk Mountains, with enough marina and bird activity to keep us entertained for second cup and happy hour each day.     Ducks, geese, cormorants and four very imposing Naval Security Team boats worked the water below and the sky overhead was busy with Bald Eagles and some very low flying private planes using the next door airport.    

incoming over the parking lot!

Naval Security Team boats forming up

Given the quiet and upscale nature of the hotel and the fact that this was - well, Canada - we were surprised to encounter extremely fit and prepared (think flak jackets, helmets, side arms) men and women staying in neighboring rooms.    As we sat on our balcony we watched them emerge from the hotel and approach their boats, moored below.    They appeared to be there on some sort of military exercise complete with large, assault type rifles mounted on the fore and aft of the small boats, powered by two 225 hp mercury outboards.  

The boats would leave, in formation, each morning and return in the afternoon.   We never found out what they were doing, but it certainly provided interesting and unusual entertainment!

off they go!

We were only in the Nelson area for 3 days so we relaxed,  slept in, watched the waterfront comings and goings, explored some of the many lakes and forests and, of course, ate well.  We know we'll be back again, so much to see and do.   The restaurant scene is alive and growing, there is plenty of water and water sports, all levels of hiking, two large Provincial Parks, complete with glaciers nearby, and all this just a few hours north of a nice, easy, one-man border crossing.

guess who, eating guess what

Dave picks up Hungarian take out to eat on our cool balcony

we did a little rock picking after our creekside lunch....

Cottonwood Falls 

and, of course, there was wine

Back home in Spokane, this was waiting for us.....  More to come