Hayden Lake, Idaho

Nate and I went to a wedding in Idaho last weekend... which included an airplane ride to Spokane! I love the airport... and it was even more fun with someone as silly as me!

We left Friday afternoon and after a slight delay at Seatac, we were in Spokane. We were slightly late for the rehersal and dinner that we were to attend in Hayden Lake (pop. 9,000), but we giggled the whole way - and didn't get lost!

By 10pm we were off to find the Bed & Breakfast that I had reserved online. Cedar Springs B&B is located in Rathdrum, ID (pop. 4,000)... we drove 15 miles northwest of Hayden, and then 3 miles up a dirt road (up a mountain) and rang the doorbell of a house that had no lights on in the middle of the forest. It was really cool! Ellen the B&B owner met us and showed us around, we exchanged stories and laughs until about 11pm and then we went to bed... waiting for the 106 degree that was about to hit.

When we got up, Ellen had made us breakfast and she asked if we wanted to go swimming. We said YES!! Ellen and her husband Per (moved to the US from Norway when he was 30) took us up to Spirit Lake, where we swam and swam and swam... it was beautiful! I bet we swam about a 1/2 mile around the lake and back. Half way out there, Nate picked a water lilly for me... and we threw it (kind of like when you kick a rock home) the whole way back to shore.

Here's me with the lilly :)

We drove back to the B&B, changed and went back to Spirit Lake (pop.1,000) to get some lunch. We ate at a restaurant called Big Fish (www.bigfishidaho.com) - where I had the BEST Panini of my life. Uh huh. We finish lunch and go next door to the ice cream/video store. I ask for a "child size" scoop of coconut & pinnapple ice cream and walk out with an ice cream cone the actual size of a small child. They sure know how to do it in small town Idaho!

We got back to the B&B just in time to change and head back to Hayden Lake. So if you ever wonder what it's like to have a wedding in 106 degree heat... it sucks. Driving, in the car, with the A/C on... is do-able.

The wedding was beautiful and they even made fans that you could use to cool yourself (of course beautifully done with the Bride & Groom's name on them). Nate was very excited that he actually got a shot of the fan in motion! After all of the amazing food, the dancing began... and even though the music was how shall I say... good - we still danced a little and had a really fun time.

We made it back to Rathdrum by 930pm and fell asleep quickly to the rattle of the loud fan in our room. We were up by 7am to eat and get to the Spokane airport by 930am. We had just enough time to document the surroundings of the B&B:
The view from our room









Our traveling hats

Per














Ellen



Carrie the Corrola

The dirt road we came in on

It was a great flight back with a beautiful view of our mountains. It reminded me that I need to get out there and explore more (stay tuned... there will be more adventures of Sarah in the wilderness).

Overall, we had a spectabulous time!

Marissa, Nate, & Sarah's Day of Fun!

The day started out normally enough with a trip to Fremont for a tour of the Market and surrounding area.

While Nathan looked at records for a while Marissa and I scowered around the nick knacks. He made his purchase and we headed down to the end of the market and back up the other side.

After the market was coffee at Pete's and the fun / giggling that comes when you go to a Vintage Clothing Store!

While Marissa and I giggled, Nathan actually looked at the clothes and did some shopping. We were slightly amazed that at that point in the day, Nate was outshopping us.

Please see Marissa to the right... modeling "The Nathan". And to the left of that... see Nathan really ecstatic about all the pictures we're taking...

After a trip to the Fremont Troll and the Triangle, we stopped by a few Bike Shops to ask for DoubleDay donations.

Then... off to the water! We went to Madison Park and swam for a good hour or so. I am still smiling that I found someone who plays in the water... as well as I do.

Look at this talent!!


I am so impressed...

The plan was to go to ChopStix with Josh and my mom for dinner and singing, but it turns out they're closed on Sundays and Mondays! So... plan "zero" as it's so called... became dinner at Sarah's apartment. Chinese stir fry made by the one and only... Nate Wright.

Oh - and Marissa got official military rank put on her hat... wow. Salute!

Hello from Hands Free Land!

I finally got a cell phone hands free device... can you even tell I have it in and I'm on the phone?!?

July 4th, 2006

4th of July this year was the best ever!

The beginning of the afternoon started with the legendary running and jumping in the lake. I had explained to Nate that I always wanted to get out of my car, run down the dock (literally in the clothes that I happen to have on) and just dive in. We got there, I started talking about putting on my swimsuit first, and the man held me to my original plan, and he actually ran and jumped in too. The man jumped in!!

So after the moms brought us towels, we changed and were off on our infamous Todd Spradlin boat ride around Lake Stevens. Nate calls me a poser because I'm always ready for a picture to be taken of me... and he's right.

It was offically the BEST 4th of July I've ever had. I had my awesome family and friends... and it was just FUN.




Just wait for the next adventure... it's gonna be great.