PARKING: Welcome! Here's your ticket

Several nights ago, because it was 94 degrees, I decided to drive down by the lake to see if it might be a little cooler. I pulled into a parking lot and was surprised to not see any numbers on the parking lot, so I thought it was free parking.

As I pulled in, a van was parked right on the lane by the sign — they were loading their bikes — so I drove in, parked, walked into the park, saw a friend and talked to him for a few minutes. I decided it was not any cooler, so I went back to the car.

Gone FIVE minutes and this guy is putting a $20 ticket on my car. Now I realize I should have known better; nothing is free in Coeur d’Alene. But $20?

So while I have not been downtown for a while, you won’t see me again. The only thing I wish I could have done is send a selfie of my arse to Diamond when I sent them payment for the fine — because it is the only part they will see of me again.

You wonder why locals don’t like to go downtown? Restaurants, shopping, lakes … pretty much anything you need all over the area and parking is FREE.

BOB CROSSMAN

Hayden