Howard Johnson Inn Downtown Spokane

My friend Diane just reminded me that I hadn't finished the story with the jade earrings. Here is a photo of the finished product. I love them. The jade is actually a very pale green color (all jade starts out white and is affected by other minerals as to the colors). The settings are silver and I am very happy with them indeed.

Here I am trying to pack for yet another trip. Everything out ready to put 1/2 back....then another 1/2 back in a day or so. The good news is that we have really no restrictions on weight (other than the standard 2-bags at 50lbs each) and neither Southwest nor Mexicana is charging for baggage. No way I'll need that baggage limitation but I still worry about having to carry the stuff around!
Spokane, Washington, United States nomadgal

Finally got the truck back, all fixed and running beautifully. Decided to get on the road, though it was already 2 pm. Headed south along Flathead Lake through green forests and valleys to I-90, then west, west, west. All uphill, what a climb, to Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, then downhill into Washington State. Spent almost two hours trying to find Riverside State Park in the city of Spokane, finally set up the camper and tried to settle down for the night.

... would win a silver belt buckle. 

We have to mention at this stage and without fear of offending our American brothers and sisters how flabbergasted Ian and I were with the build up to the Mutton Bustin race.  In the ring was a fit looking cowboy who told everyone to give themselves a round of applause for being here and supporting the fair, then went on to "thank the troops abroad who were fighting to protect America and Americans right to independence, freedom and ...

... of just going around a ring or for a trot around a park is definitely dull.   Thoroughly and utterly recommended. Honest guys forget the beach resorts for one year and try this.

Ps – for those that do not horse ride a tip (from Judith and Jane) was to wear pantyhose (tights)  - this was for the men and ladies of the group.  To aid chaffing.  Suggestion is that you don’t buy the spandex variety and make sure they are Queen Size for men.   

... 3 14th which is a 170 yard (it’s on a pulley system where they can vary the length of the green from the mainland!) 7 iron onto a man made island green which you get to and from on a boat called “The Putter”. What a hole and what an amazing course. American golf at its best where they think of everything including fans on greens to cool you down and ...

... br>Ufem wäg zrug hämm** no amene see ghalte, das isch dänn äs panorama gsi. Ab** lueged doch sälb**, ich find äs chunnt sogar uf dä fotene ei*****masse üb**e au wänns in ächt no viel schön** usgseh hät.

Am zweite tag hämm** eus dänn id wildnis gwagt und händ drum fascht 10km schott**strass uf eus resp. Und** d'räd** vo eusem 'toyota 4runn**' gno. So hämm** en ändlich mal chli a sini gränze bracht, isch ja ...

... matching spacer to move the rear sprocket over 2mm (!), which makes the bike shift much more smoothly.  Go figure. And all that for $99.95!  Um, not. Believe it or not, I have appreciated every one of these components.  Except for the headlight guard.  That was just for show. It's getting late now, and I once again failed to see the Dark Knight, so don't tell me how it ends. 

... And I've tried every conceivable password...there is no hope left for me. How am I to live eight hours each day in the barren desert of the library, devoid of the quenching humor of GoFugYourself.com or the Very Important Celebrity News offered up so freely by People Online and TMZ? How will I know what is going on in the world?! And forget online shopping...I can't even be online. This is truely a ...

... with me) then the 29th I leave. We arrive in Dublin at 7:20 in the morning on Dec 30th. We have 3 or 4 days in Dublin and then on the 3 we head to Galway for orientation and to get settled into our place. The 8th classes start, and that first weekend we have a homestay with an Irish family in the country! How fun! Anyways enough day dreaming, I have to get to studying! Cheers