Saturday, August 10
Bridget, Spike, and I take our sweet time this morning. Some days are best begun slowly.
Snuggling and playing. Rolling Spike over on his back and tickling his belly until he squirms and pumps his legs in the air. Holding Bridget like a baby, belly-up, and nuzzling her face until her eyes sparkle with her I’m-loved glow. Dawdling at the laptop over a cup o’ joe. A late breakfast. Gee, I suppose I could get dressed some time today . . .
It’s quiet here . . .
. . . except for the occasional rumble and whistles of a train on the other side of Clark Fork River. The cool morning disappears into a hot afternoon.
The crew and I know what to do.
“Hey, Spikey! Wait for us!”
You didn’t think we’d move on without some pics of Spike in Clark Fork River, did you?
A little play-by-play to build anticipation . . . There he goes!
He’s in! And down he goes! Beautiful execution by Spike!
Aaahhhhh…. (That’s the sound of Spike soaking.)
Bridget isn’t far behind!
Gingerly she steps over the rocks in the stream bed. I wade out to coax her along. Spike lets us know when soak time is over.
Cooled off, we explore the shoreline.
Back at the campsite I hand-wash a few items.
Spike likes the shade under the picnic table (see legs). He digs a depression, making himself a bed of cool dirt.
Lying in the dirt is not an acceptable option for Bridget.
I provide a bed for her. She can barely keep her eyes open to glare at the camera. A cold dip on a hot day makes one very sleepy . . .
The wire pen doubles as a drying rack.
Alternately I read my kindle and watch the clothes dry. (Dear reader: Hang on! Don’t fall off the edge of your seat!)
Later that evening . . .
Bridget and Spike are asleep. I read by the light over our bed. Around eleven-thirty, being too tired to read any more, I cut the light and go to sleep.
I wake up to the sound of two women talking on their way to the restroom.
Why can’t women walk to the toilet alone? Just because it’s dark, you need a friend? You have to chat on the way?
C’MON! Grow up! We’re in a campground, for heaven’s sake! Go do your business and be quiet about it!
I drift off again.
It’s not a deep sleep. The BLT’s windows are open because it’s summer and we need the air. I hear that same woman’s voice. I hover in the netherland between good sleep and fully awake.
What the hell time is it?
I pick up my cell phone. 1:10 a.m. Okay. Enough of this.
I interrupt her in mid-sentence.
“Excuse me! It’s after one o’clock in the morning. I think it’s time for you to lower your voice a bit. Thank you!” Understatement can make a strong point. She shuts up. Hmmpf. Campgrounds. This is why I love to boondock.
I punch my pillow a few times and go back to sleep.
Sunday, August 11
My plan for today is . . . hit the road and drive like I mean it, putting lots of miles behind me and the crew.
Mt. Olympus calls us!
Around 8 a.m., as I throw down the last of a cup of coffee, my phone rings.
Hmm . . . That’s unusual. Must be a wrong number.
I pick up.
“Hello there! It’s your sister!”’
“NANCY!” I’m elated to hear her voice.
We talk for an hour or so. By the time I put down the phone, I’m all smiles and no longer have the ambition for a long day of driving the interstate.
Instead we make a short hop over Lookout Pass to our next camp.
By mid-afternoon the crew and I relax along the North Fork of the C’oeur d’Alene River!
rvsue
I THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON HERE!
Here are a few of the products recently ordered through my blog . . .
Exercise Pen
Decorative Gecko Hook
Pink Hello Kitty Carpet Floor Mat – Set of 2
Sony Headphones with CCAW Voice Coil
Valterra EZ Coupler 90° Bayonet Sewer Fitting
Quick N Brite All Purpose Cleaning Paste
