Mirabeau Park Fmr Doubletree Spokane

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.

... most of the UK are patriotic but I could not imagine the response in the crowd if we were all asked to sing  “god save the queen” every time One Man and his dog started. 

Unfortunately we were unable to stay for the Tom Addis Dodge PRCA Rodeo or the Rhinestone Roper or watch the Canine Demo let alone the Cabela’s Dutch Oven Cook-Off (heaven knows what that is about). Another recommendation - stop by if you see any state fairs, especially for the rodeos. 

... plinking which was shooting clay targets using bolt shotguns (live bullets) which thankfully were all held in blocks by the sling.  They started off shooting at the grass or into the trees but by a few goes they were aiming at the pile and even hitting targets. 

One evening the children were taken off for a pow wow and barbecue and the adults were spoilt with a seven-course sample menu.  We did not know what to expect and we must admit ...

The golf trip was organised by Steve and I was looking forward to a decent round of golf at a local course to see if my game could recover from the disastrous run I'd been having in England. So four of us (Tim, Rob, Steve and I) set off at lunchtime in Jim’s hire car to drive the supposed 45-minute route around the lake with Tim driving. Tim normally drives an Aston ...

... were quite stubborn to get going.  The Wranglers took pity on us and we all went off on a tougher hack up and down the steepest slopes and then we all trotted and then loped through the forest.

As we are going to be in the Western saddle from here on Ian and I wanted to familiarise ourselves further and to build our confidence in riding fast so we booked a lesson with the head honcho wrangler, Alison. 

After lunch Ian and I ...

... with our up and down motion when trotting – Wyatt looked back at me and was not happy with what was happening in the saddle.     

We went for a scenic trek across the mountain and thoroughly enjoyed the views of the mountain ranges around us.  The children went off on their trail too, Edie being led by Jeannie on foot. They loved the cowboy feel.

The afternoon Ian and I went clay shooting experiencing 12 and 20 gauge guns.  I ...

... the kids were cooking smores (called smores from the term “do you want somemore – s’mores)  This is a gooey cocktail of charcoaled marshmellows  with a layer of chocolate wedged between two sweet biscuits  - great for the kids as they roasted their own marshmellows on twigs.  Fun evening finishing with us all crashing into the crisp linen and soft mattress after a warm, clean shower with crisp towels (things we used to take for granted. 

... seat was empty so I slept over there, and very well! I did wake up in Spokane, because they had to rearrange the train. The private car that we had picked up in the mountains was coming to Seattle with us, but the rear half of the train was being detached and going to Portland. So they had to unhook everything and then hook up the private car to the front of the train right behind our coach car.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We had to travel to Spokane so that we could fly home. I guess it was the closest major airport to where our last show was. This is a picture of Tom and Steve who were both on the Nashville flight home. They made Tom check his dobro case, but he wasn't about the check the instrument, so he just stuck it right in the seat. Home here we come!

... up from the spiciness. I assured her that this could be a blessing, as Thai sauce is surely less expensive than collagen. Perhaps that is why Angelina Jolie spends so much time in Asia... After our leisurely dinner was done, we left as a satisfied bunch. Coupons spent and lips puffing out. John and I were happy to keep our hoards of Hamburger Helper boxes stashed away for the night. All in all, it was a lovely evening with good food and engaging conversation.