End of summer staycation good for the soul
Although according to the calendar the last day of summer isn’t for six more days, I’m thinking it’s history for this year. Last weekend we drove for 15 minutes to do our final pitching of the tent to sleep under the stars, just in time to celebrate the return of blue skies late Friday afternoon.
For a couple of decades we’ve taken an annual stay-cation at the campground tucked into the wooded draw at the southeast end of Lake Coeur d’Alene near Wolf Lodge Bay. Formerly the KOA campground, it’s under new ownership as Camp Coeur d’Alene.
There’s a limit to the level of roughing it I’m willing to do and the bonus is having restrooms, showers and a swimming pool. For Bert, the perk is the gorgeous protected wetlands right there for kayaking which takes you a couple of miles up Wolf Lodge Creek.
I don’t really sleep under the stars but in a 10 by 10 tent that I can stand up in and on an airbed with sheets under the sleeping bag. The first night after setting up camp we drove a mile to Wolf Lodge Steakhouse for dinner and, as is our tradition, the next morning enjoyed leftover steak with eggs over the campfire. Except since there’s a burn ban there was no campfire but our handy propane cook stove was pressed into action.
There’s something really primal about the great outdoors and leaving the trappings (most of them) of our regular life behind for a few days. The sound of bugling elk as the sun comes up is music to the ears. The time and space to read a book with few distractions is a gift. In this crazy busy world we inhabit there’s so much noise. Quiet time is such a luxury.
Our friends, Rod and Susie Heitstuman joined us in the adventure and sitting around the campsite in the evening telling stories, sharing jokes and even playing with glow sticks is so good for the soul.
So here’s to the rainy, scorching, smoky and too-fleeting summer of 2017 — bring on the beautiful colors of fall!
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Tanning salon owner Heidi Wilmer used a phrase I’d not heard before in referring to the slow time for those in her industry, the JASON months ... July, August, September, October and November.
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Things to Do Highlights:
Friday:
- The third annual PARK(ing) It On Sherman event hosted by the city of Coeur d'Alene and CDA 2030, 1900 block of Sherman Avenue, 4-9 p.m. Free block party and community celebration that’s kid- and dog-friendly.
- Post Falls High School dance team mini dance camp and junior dance clinic for K-5 and grades 6-8. PFHS Commons/ Arena Entrance. Registration 4:30 p.m., camp & clinic 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a halftime performance at the varsity football game.
- Final Bands on Boats Summer Concert featuring the Kelly Hughes Band, 7-10 p.m., age 21+. Info: (855) 379-5478.
Saturday:
- TedxCoeur d’Alene at the Kroc Center. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.tedxcda.com
Sunday:
Twelfth annual UPS / United Way Golf Tournament at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at The Club at Rock Creek. Proceeds benefit United Way of North Idaho’s Education Impact area. Info: www.unitedwayofnorthidaho.org
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Welcome Peter William Amador to the Main Street Birthday Club. He arrived on Sept. 6, just in time for breakfast. Young Peter weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, measuring 21 inches from head to toe. He's the first child of Paul and Julie Amador, and his happy grandparents Michael and Diane Amador and Steve and Shelly Smith are excited to let the spoiling begin.
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Happy birthday today to Mike Pearce, Joy Seward, Janell Mollett (60!), Kelly Sheffield, Chris Mann, Ryan Bartlett, Thomas Vigil, Marianne Buley, Mary Langenberg, Stormy Purcell, Ray Harwood, Lori Turchik, Laura Fierro, JulieAnn Sparrowgrove, Cher Rhoads (40!), Nicole Hamilton, Gina Davis and Debbie Margraff.
Thursday Leslie Orth, Connie Glass, Diane Lemas, Wayne Dust and Anna DeTar will put on their party hats.
Marking birthdays on Friday are Claudia Brennan, Brad Medlock, Jerry Deitz, Jean Wright, Shannon Englander, Kathie Colosimo, Angie Purcell, Liese Razzeto and Nick McDonald.
On Saturday Jeff Thompson, Courtney Hurt, James Hoialman, Charollett Morehouse and Terrie Lynn Gonzales celebrate.
Steve Widmyer, Jeff Crandall (60!), Harmony Conley, Connie Evans, Russ Giles, Mary Riffe and Lynda Wright take another trip around the sun on Sunday.
Birthday shout-out to Brad Peugh, Ellen Delavan, Jaimee Myers, Eric Benjamin, John Holm, Jennifer Schroeder and Debra Smart on Monday.
Sept. 19 birthdays belong to Steve Eller, Rich Kempton, Kara Fredekind, Debbie Sala, Jeanne Wright, Brock Morrow, Marshall Baltzell and Karen Lindbergh.
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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.