judykat hits Lake Couer D’Alene

Our good friends from New York (and Seattle) Ken, Kathie and Mia visited us at Lake Couer D'Alene on their way to Montana.

It was great to see all them. We had a great dinner with all of them (including Ken's mom and my mom and dad).

Phyllis and Kathie got some time on the wet bike while the kids, Ken and his mom got some serious dock time. We even enjoyed a few refreshing ice cold Moose Drool's.

Ken updated me on all the happenings at work as the following Sunday I had to fly back to New York City. It sounds like there are many changes in the wind at Oxygen. It should be interesting to see what happens there.


After a great evening, Ken and his family drove back into the city of Spokane for a nice stay at the Davenport Hotel. Maybe next year we can visit them in the great northwest for a longer period of time.

It’s Hot on the Lake

Wow temperatures hit 100 degrees at least three days in a row here on Lake Couer D'Alene. As they say "beautiful dry hot" but at 100 degrees it's just plain hot.

We are loving the lake. The lake water has warmed up to at least 70 degrees I would bet. The water is fantastic. If you are out of it for even 30 minutes on the dock its time to jump right back in.

Zachary has been catching a ton of fish this week and not just suckers and bottom feeders. Some of them our Rainbow Trout and Fresh Water Bass.

I love these long days on the lake with nothing that has to be planned, executed or completed (can if you want but its totally optional:). This is my kind of vacation!

Vashon Island reminded me once again that “big” is relative

On our way back from Portland to Lake Couer D'Alene, we were invited to visit some of our dear friends on Vashon Island.

 

It was a beautiful day as we drove from Portland up Interstate 5 toward Seattle. Peter had provided us with directions to his home on Vashon Island from the Point Defiance Ferry in Tacoma. As we were waiting for the ferry I took a few candid photos of the kids. From the dock there was a tremendous view of Mount Rainier.

When I lived in Seattle for many years Mount Rainier was a back drop that was so ordinary that one almost just forgot it (not to mention Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, etc.). Since moving to the east coast I have seen many of the great mountains and ranges -- Catskills, Poconos, Appalachians -- but there is truly no comparison.

"Big" is really relative to what your used to whether it be mountains, money or ideas (really anything at all).

We had a great time at Peter's estate on Vashon, walking, swimming, playing bocce ball, volleyball and a myriad of other activities. The compound is really beautiful and is great for entertaining. Peter as usual was an unbelievable host! Thanks.

He invited us back for another visit in the fall which we will consider. It would be great to see the whole family since Jill and kids were away on summer activities this time.

Nyssa’s Basketball Tournament in Portland

My niece Nyssa had a basketball tournament in Portland Oregon. So we all made our way down to the tournament which was held near the Clackamus Community College in Oregon City.

  

It was a great tournament to see. My sister Tami was telling us that in order to get into the NCAA and play first string at the high school level these days independent summer league action is actually required. I believe it for an amateur women's basketball game the skill level was amazing. Nyssa (yellow jersey -- look at that beautiful "D" ) and her team won! They took a commanding lead in the 2nd half and locked it away from the local Oregon team they were playing.

As you can see our official team mascot Ruthie accompanied us to the tournament. At our celebration dinner afterward with my family, my grand daughter Emma Jo tried to imitate Ruthie's Perfect Victory Cheer.

On Golden Pond

We took our annual family trip to my parents cabin on Lake Couer D'Alene. We had a great time because my mom and dad as well as my sister Tami and her three daughters (Nyssa, Sydnee and Jynsyn) were able to join us for the first week. My daughter Olivia also brought along her best friend from New Jersey, Meredith.

Our first week this year occurred during the 4th of July holiday which happened on a Wednesday. The bay that we are on -- Windy Bay always features a small fireworks show on July 3rd over the lake. We went and watched that this year and it was short but we had a great close up viewing area.

My son Zachary caught a ton of fish this year. Actually really all the kids were catching many fish. It took my sister Tami, me and Phyllis to keep all their hooks baited up with fresh worms (none of them will bait their own hooks). I was impressed with how the fish population has obviously grown on the lake. When I was a kid you could sit out there on the dock all day and not even get a bite. My dad can attest to this because he sat there with me too for hours.

The kids also had great fun being pulled on tubes behind both the Seadoo and the boat. Meredith even though she was a little scared even made her first ride and I think enjoyed it.

Pigs in Seattle

We arrived in Seattle today for our annual trip to my parents cabin on Lake Couer D'Alene. While in Seattle we bummed around the downtown area a bit and noticed all the painted pigs. They were very cool so we captured a few shots with Phyllis, Olivia, Zachary and their friend Meredith.

 

While many of the cities we have been to New York (cows), Spokane (bears), Coeur D'Alene (moose), the pigs of Seattle were incredibly detailed.

After capturing the pigs of Seattle, we were invited to the home of Sally and Rod (Skip our son-in-laws parents) for a fantastic barbecue. Sally and Rod live in a beautiful home overlooking Puget Sound on the famed Magnolia Hill. It was an incredible meal, fantastic company and picture perfect weather. Thanks so much Sally and Rod.

We had to make it a fairly early evening since we needed to get up early for the 6 hour drive to Lake Couer D'Alene the next day.