Arrival at Priest Lake

Well, our short stay at Windermere was negatively impacted by the weather. Friday turned out to be very windy on the lake. Fortunately, Rob and Lisa et al took us up to the pool at Panaorama which was a great thing to do on a warm but windy day. We'd have preferred to be at the lake but it wasn't to be. The pool was fun, great water slide, and we got some good suntanning in. A little ice cream to top it off and we headed back down the mountain. Picked up some wasp raqckets at the Rona in Windermere and then got back to the lake house. After a few sasparillas, Karen and I cooked up a mean feed for Rob, Lisa, Kaden, Jenny, Myles, Matthew and a neighbor from up the hill. Lots of food for all with app'ies beforehand. Great evening in spite of the strong winds off the lake. Interesting reversal in wind direction from South to North. A rain and thunder storm rolled in at the end and sent everyone to bed.

Up not too early this morning and made a few hot cakes and fried up a pound of bacon. Packed up our stuff and headed out mid morning.

Lunch in Creston, found a great bakery with a roof top patio. Carried on to Nelway and then crossed the border into the excited states. No problem at the border, in fact we got off easy relative to the people ahead of us. Border agents more interested in my attending TAMU than anything else.

From there, we found our way on to National Forest Development Road 22 with only one missed turn. The NFD turned out to be a very narrow track but very beautiful. Myles stopped me frequently to take pictures. It was a very beautiful drive. Lots of very raw camping going on, no gorbie stuff here. Some really remote trailheads and not much parking availalble. Once upon a time I would have been very inspired to take a small pack and a tent and head up to the high country.

Found our way to Elkins, we were the first to arrive but most came along shortly thereafter. I'm am so excited to have all my siblings here with all the nieces and nephews. Marcia et all were last to arrive, and nothing would to for Claire but to pimp over their cabin with short sheets andTP's. Sadly, the enthusiasm for surprising Marcia and Denis et al waned towards the end and most headed back to their cabins before they arrived.

Late night and lots of fun. Looking forward to the rest of the week.

Staycation finally over

Well, our 2009 summer staycation is finally over. We left Calgary yesterday on the first leg of our drive to Priest Lake, Idaho for a family gathering. My Mom and all my siblings, spouses, neices and nephews are gathering there for a late summer retreat.

We drove to Invermere where we are taking Rob & Lisa Sadownyk (and their three kids Luke, Kaden and Jennifer) up on the invitation to spend a couple of days at there Windermere Lake Cabin. It is a really cool spot right on the shoreline. Apparently an old CPR boat house. We arrived here late afternoon but still early enough for Rob to take me out on his catamaran for a sail down to Windermere town (almost). Had a bite to eat on the deck and a good visit till dark and then everyone crashed. All the kids and Karen and I stayed in the boat house while Rob and Lisa went up to the main house to sleep.

Weather was beautiful yesterday and promises to be a scorcher today, but very windy at sunrise. Hopefully the lake will be good for some water sports.

Then we're off to Idaho tomorrow.