Day 12

It was amazing to wake up, the curtains open and watch the sun rise over the mountains. Its light reflecting across the early morning stillness of the lake. My Chris was still sleeping so I got out of bed and put on the coffee machine in order to get the water hot enough to make her a cup of tea. I got myself a bottle of water from the fridge, made the tea and climbed back into bed. Chris appreciated the tea and we sat and watched the sunrise.

We three men usually congregated in each others room for morning prayer, today that seemed inappropriate. When Chris and I were ready to leave our room and go find something to eat I texted Pete and Chris and told them we were in the lobby near the fire place (On a cold winters evening it would be a great place to meet.) and would see them when they got down stairs. As it happened Chris and I were last down, the other three couples were busy chatting. Pete and Jolande led our time. I always find that these times remind me of who God is and how he loves me. Sets me up for the day ahead.

Pete stated that as Jolander and he had booked a place on a raft on the Spokane river. He said it would depart at two so he and Jolande would take Alan and Roz to the airport and have a bite of lunch before their river trip.

Now I was really astounded and the first thoughts to cross my mind were not really positive when Chris and Jean revealed they were going to do a Para ascent together. I didn’t think the boat would have any trouble getting Jean into the air but Chris…? Then I recollected the sizes of some around the resort and thought ‘why not’. They had booked their adventure for eleven.

I hadn’t thought this far ahead so asked my Chris what she would like to do. Even as I spoke the words I knew what the answer would be. So off I trundled to the receptionist and book a couple of Jet skis for eleven. I thought and hour would probably be enough for each of us this being our first time on one. We, like Chris and Jean, would need to be at the appropriate dock early so as to get instruction.

We had decided to eat breakfast out and after asking the receptionist where she thought was best? She said as it was still quite early she would recommended the ‘Garnate cafe’. Using the map from the hotel we we made our way to 4th North Street and kept going till we reached East Walnut Avenue and made a left and the cafe was on our right. It was a brisk twenty minute walk and although it didn’t look the most appealing of cafes we trusted the receptionist. Our trust was not misplaced. The food was delicious and sooo fresh. We all had omelets. I think that we all had a different combination of fillings. Pete assured me the coffee was superb. Several had tea and a few others had coffee. My travelling friend Chris and I had hot chocolate.

Having all cleared our plates, Pete, Chris and I, made our way to the Loo for a conflab. Pete had responded to Chris’s ‘is there anything we can do for the kids?’ enquiry by looking online. It seems that we could get then a prepaid credit card from any bank. Back at the table we made our excuses and promised to meet them all back at the hotel in about forty minutes. We left the rest of the group and went across to 7th North street and headed south. We eventually saw the ‘Willamette Valley Bank’. It looked OK. We entered and explained what we wanted to a teller. We showed our passports and our own credit cards. Some paperwork was filled in the names of the recipients written down and the card and instructions on how to activate it were issued. We left the bank and walked the two hundred yards back to the hotel. Pete had the card as he was driving them to the airport. We waited until the others arrived and just chatted for a while.

Chris and I and Chris and his wife went back to our rooms. Alan and Roz went off for their ‘spa experience’. Pete and Jolande chatted away in the foyer.

I and Chris (my wife) changed into shorts and ‘T’ shirts and made our way back to the lobby. Chris and Jean joined us and Pete and Jolande. It was great just to watch and hear the chatter. To realise these folk each wanted the best for each other. To be safe enough with each other to be able to challenge and even laugh at ourselves. My Chris thought we three guys were like ‘Last of the summer wine’ on steroids!

Alan and Roz and their luggage rejoined us and, fortunately for me, returned the keys to the charger. The conversation continued its easy and meandering flow. Eventually we realised that we needed to make our various ways to our next ‘experience’. Pete and Jolande didn’t join in the hugging – I imagine there would be plenty at the airport. Alan and Roz expressed their thanks, telephone numbers and email addresses were exchanged and the eight of us left the hotel.

Chris and Jean turned to the left towards a pier and Chris and I made our way to the Jet ski hire place. The others headed to the car park.

We had about ten minutes of instruction. Paid our fees, put phones and valuables into a locker, and were taken to the jet skis. We put on our life jackets on our way. I always thought they looked fun but up close they looked big, powerful and just a tad scary. We managed to board them without mishap, so far so good. Keys in the ignition and start up the engine. I gently opened the throttle and the craft moved sedately away from the dock. Chris, like myself was being quite cautious. Well initially she was. We had been opening the throttle gradually. Chris must have been feeling my reluctance for speed because she shot past me. I thought she was going to tumble off the back but she held on well. Trying not to appear too wimp-ish I followed suit.

It was really exhilarating even though scary. We shot across the surface of a very calm lake. Well calm for a few minutes anyway. Chris and I had slowed down to a wallow to chat. Suddenly we started to rock as a speedboat shot past. I thought I heard my friend Chris utter an exclamation. I think I know what he said but was reminded that ‘those who call upon the name of the name of the Lord shall be saved’!

Chris and Jean were soaring above us, an increasingly greater height above us. We set off keeping close but not too close to the shore. At what I now know as ‘Higgins point’ we crossed the lake and made our way around the edge of the lake. There was some lakeside development but a lot was forested. There are bays and inlets which we nosed around. We again opened the throttles as we crossed ‘Cougar Bay’. Definitely fun. We followed the lake shore around till we came to our docking area. We pulled in and were tied up.

Although my legs felt a little wobbly, I felt really proud of myself and my lovely wife. I also felt thankful that the lake surface had been mostly calm.

Having collected our possessions and expressed our thanks to the staff, we made our way back to the hotel. At the entrance we re met Chris and Jean. They were holding hands, I do not recall ever seeing them holding hands. They looked really excited and exhilarated. We ordered drinks and sat down. They had really enjoyed themselves, Chris was telling me they went up nearly a thousand feet. Jean quietly corrected him. It was eight hundred feet. Either distance seemed a long way up to me. I also realised that they weren’t wet. Jean explained with some input from Chris that they launched from the boat and landed on the boat.

My Chris and I told them about our experience on the jet skis. Jean and Chris exchanged glances and turning to us suggested they would book up for the jet skis after lunch. My Chris, without consulting me but with my full approval, decided we were going Para gliding. Armed with credit cards the ladies visited with the receptionist and the arrangements were made.

We decided that we would eat at the dockside bar. It felt good to be sat in the sunshine, enjoying each others company and enjoying a cold beer and burger. The chatter seemed to slow and we relaxed into watching the world go by.

Feeling a great sense of peace that seemed to be reflected on the other threes faces each couple made their way to the afternoons chosen activity.

Chris and I arrived at the end of the jetty and had our safety briefing. We were issued with life jackets and having boarded the boat we were harnessed up. The driver (if that’s the correct word) started up the engine and with a ‘ready to go?’ roared off. The drum started to feed out the line we were attached to and we gently lifted of the boat. Our ascent to eight hundred feet was quite rapid, at least it felt so. Chris and I were holding hands and laughing like school children. The views from up where we were were fantastic. We saw Chris and Jean on a jet ski. Chris was driving and Jean was hanging on for what looked like dear life. Even at this distance Chris had a grin on him rather like the Cheshire cats! I pointed out a couple of guys who were taking tea shots to the floating green. They each seemed to land their golf balls near the flag. Chris pointed out that they were walking to a boat to get to the green. Who won the hole, I have no idea as we were soon beyond them.

After what seemed only a short while the boat started to perform a slow half circle at the end of which we were heading back up the lake. We started to descend, being slowly reeled in and onto the rear of the boat. Our fight of fancy seemed to be over all too quickly. It was great fun and we definitely felt excited and exhilarated.

After getting changed I phoned Chris S and it was arranged that we two couples would meet in the lobby and go for a wander around. We had probably all used some nervous energy but still needed a good if leisurely walk.

We met in the foyer and navigated through the shops in the hotel and out into the sunshine. We headed north to Sherman street and turned right heading east. The buildings were mainly red brick and low rise. There was a plethora of shops and restaurants. I liked the look of ‘The Iron horse bar and grill’. There were jewellers which seemed to catch the ladies eyes, but there were lots of shops which caught Chris S’s and myself’s eyes. We soon passed into an area of hotels and dinners. We were seduced into an ice-cream parlour. A chap who probably wasn’t the proprietor Roger served us each a double waffle cone of ice-cream. Chris and Jean went for Chocolate mint chip, Chris S a double espresso and I went for a vanilla. Apparently all good. We sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine, each others company and watched the world go by.

We decided to walk south and join the centennial trail, which according to our map, would take us back to the hotel. After passing through a mainly residential area and probably having been talking too much we found ourselves in the library car park. Back to the map. We moved south and then walked between the library and city hall rejoining the trail. We followed the trail through a park and back to the hotel.

We had another cold drink in the foyer. Chris S got a call from Pete who said Jolande and he hoped to be with us in about an hour. Yes they did enjoy the rafting and would tell us more over dinner.

I fell asleep in my rather comfortable chair. I woke when my Chris gave me a gentle push on the arm. I apologised and Chris suggested we might all want to freshen up before dinner. I texted Pete a time to meet in the foyer. Then we went to our rooms and I slept some more. I think I am getting a little advanced in years for so much fun in one day.

Chris looked great and I felt just a little scruffy in my ‘T’ shirt, jeans and trainers. Kindly she didn’t say anything other than how she had enjoyed the days activities. Meeting up with the other old codgers revealed they were in the same boat as me. The ladies looked great and we three looked like a trio of scruffs.

We had booked into ‘Beverly’s’ on this our last evening in Coeur D’Alene. We definitely stood out as we entered the restaurant. The Maître D, bless him, didn’t look at all put out. We did get some strange looks from the other dinners.

The surroundings were superb as were the views. Water arrived as if from nowhere and we were each given a menu. Pete asked if the waiter could recommend a good wine. The response was ‘The choice would depend on what sir had chosen to eat. Pete asked if we all liked red or white. Red was the overwhelming response. Pete asked for a local or Californian red preferably full bodied. If they didn’t have that then a Saint Emellion Premier crue would be fine. Very soon a sommelier arrived and consulted with Pete and a Californian Nappa Valley red was produced, uncorked and a small amount poured into Pete’s glass. We knew Pete’s verdict by the look on his face and two more bottles were ordered and opened. I think we all congratulated Pete on his choice. Menus were read, food was ordered and the conversation flowed. The wine, food and service were first class but like all really memorable meals the company and conversation was interesting and relaxed. Chris S and his lovely wife talked of their day as did Chris and I. Then Pete and Jolande told us about their day. Nothing as energetic as ours but great fun all the same.

Alan and Roz send their thanks and gratitude for our time together. They promised to pray for the rest of our trip. Pete and Jolande after dropping them at the airport had driven to the ‘ROW Adventure centre’. They had managed to join another party for a four hour raft trip down the Spokane River. Jolande explained that early in the season it would be all about white water rafting but at this the end of the season it was a gentle and ‘frankly’ a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. The scenery was stunning with huge pine trees and basalt cliffs. They had seen eagles and ospreys an osprey even attempting to take a fish from the river. They had swam in the ‘pools’ along the river. They had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The food was consumed and a desert menu produced. The ladies chose their deserts and we three codgers opted for cheese. It took a little for the waiter to agree to a cheese board and as he was leaving Chris asked for a bottle of Taylors LBV port. The port and cheese arrived as did three fresh glasses. The conversation continued onto what we were planning for tomorrow. It seems a little hazy now but but there was some discussion as to where we would go to church it being Sunday tomorrow. There was also some chat about what we would be doing for the rest of the day. I don’t recall anything being finalised though.

I was very thankful for the lift as I don’t think I would have managed the stairs. Chris made a cup of tea and I had a hot chocolate. We drank them on the balcony looking at the moon and star lit lake. A perfect end to a perfect day. I prayed the others would be feeling the same.

https://cafegarnetcda.com our breakfast eatery

https://resortboatrentals.com Resort Boat Rentals | Rent Watercraft for a Great Lake CDA Experience

https://www.cdaparasail.com Coeur d’Alene Parasail

https://spokaneriverraft.com River rafting

https://beverlyscda.com our evening eatery

Posted in A Lockdown Virtual Journey, North America