Kay’s cousin Mikki and her husband Steve invited us over for a visit, so off we went to Post Falls, a city adjacent to Coeur d’Alene. They live in a beautiful neighborhood. Mature pines are scattered throughout nicely landscaped yards. Well-kept mostly two story homes, walking paths, and a gazebo on the green belt completed the Mayberry feel. At first glance it looks like a great place to raise a family, and Mikki confirmed our initial impression. We took a short walk to the nearby park on the river’s edge. A Grandpa there with his grand kids were playing in the water, and another family was setting up their picnic. Yeppers, Mikki and Steve live in a really nice neighborhood.
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| Gazebo on the greenbelt |
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| Cousins Kay & Mikki |
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| Water front park in their neighborhood |
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| Dana & Mikki |
Back at their place we piled into two cars and went to a local dam Steve wanted to show us. It’s not a large dam, but I’d never seen one like it before. It’s built right into the granite boulders. Water passing through the dam’s gates cascade into rushing falls, then disappear in a narrow ravine. There’s hiking trails, a tranquil pond, and a historic head gate. We took a short walk around the area, then headed back to Mikki and Steve’s home, enjoyed a couple cold beverages and chatted it up for a bit, then headed back to camp.
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| Post Falls Dam |
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| Dana, Steve, Steve, Kay & Mikki |
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| Ravine where the water flows after cascading through Post Falls Dam |
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| Serene setting in the park at Post Falls Dam |
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| A historic head gate |
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| Steve has a few nice toys in his garage |
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| Sweet! |
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| Pristine |
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| Nice ride! |
Mick and Linda invited us over to their place for dinner. They are empty nesters enjoying their retired life but they’re a far cry from what one pictures retired folks to be. Both Mick and Linda are animated, lively, and a joy to be around. I first met them when they moved into the house across the street from mine when I was eight years old. We go waaaay back. My hubby has known them since his early 20’s when my folks, Mick, Linda and their kids, Steve and I and one other family went houseboating on Lake Shasta together. Oh my gosh, what a story-filled wonderful trip that vacation was. Any time spent with Mick and Linda is bound to be memorable.
The menu tonight was delicious brown sugar grilled Steelhead Mick caught himself, a veggie filled pasta salad, and a summer fresh tomato, cucumber, onion and feta cheese salad. The days were exceptionally warm, so the chilled salads were a perfect choice. They were so nice to include Kay’s cousin and her friend Peggy for dinner. Us ladies had a little hen party in the back yard, while the guys ate inside. Wussies.
Do you remember me writing about how ridiculous I felt exclaiming to a bride at her wedding reception that I used to change her diapers? That’s Mick and Linda’s daughter, Tamara. After dinner Tamara stopped by with her college freshman leaving-back-to-campus-the-following-morning daughter, Kaelyn. Hadn’t seen either one of them in years, and I swear Tamara has found the fountain of youth. She looked like her daughter’s sister!
