Plan B turns into a novel celebration
If 2020 taught us anything it's to be prepared with a Plan B. On Sunday morning bright and early Scott and Shelly Peterson, with their daughter Madeline were caravanning to a day of skiing with friends Levi, Nicci, Dawson and Millie Cushman, Chris, Alyssa, Connor, Gavin and Addy Johnson and Meghann and Branson McAlister.
"We all were planning to spend the day skiing up at Lookout Pass, as we do most weekends. Social distancing outside," said Shelly.
The snow started to fall when they were at Fourth of July pass … heavy, slushy snow making it a slow drive on I-90. They saw a highway sign about an accident 8 miles ahead, before Wallace, a semi-truck jack-knifed between mile markers 65 and 67, blocking both eastbound lanes. Since the accident happened about 6 a.m. the group was hopeful that at least one lane would already be opened. They made it just past milepost 64, before Mullan, about 8 a.m. and then traffic stopped and was at a standstill for another 90 minutes.
Via social media they read that Lookout was having a delayed opening as many of their employees were also stuck in the traffic jam. The group was safely able to take the shoulder and get off at Exit 65, turn around and meet up in Wallace.
Scott Peterson suggested gathering at the Wallace Visitor Center rest stop, taking advantage of the covered picnic area and restrooms. Once there they set up their chairs and portable fire pits that they had intended to use for tailgating at Lookout Pass. Their Plan B included a picnic lunch, making the best of it. Since Monday was Shelly's birthday she said it ended up being a fun and impromptu early celebration with friends.
"Last year was my big 5-0, spent in Vegas. This year was at the rest stop in Wallace. Seems pretty fitting, right? "
Yes, it does Shelly!
P.S. On Monday Shelly, her daughter and her girlfriends, Nicci Cushman, Britt Towery and Alyssa Johnson headed back to Lookout to spend her actual birthday on the slopes. A Plan B birthday success!
Happy Birthday today to Bob Short, Mary Spridgeon and Larry Sackett. Tomorrow Ryan Davis, Chelsea Camarata, Nicole Jones, Carrie Beals and Mary Crosby blow out the candles. On Friday Eric English, Analisa Raynor, Nora Horn, Larry Spencer, Angie Phillips, Glen Abbott and Peggy Brothers put on their party hats. Chelsea Dickinson, Sadie Lynn Fisher, Daryl Gankema, Joy Lynch, Paul Lash and Jamie Crawford (40!) celebrate on Saturday. Sue Myers, Marion Richardson, Tina Nowoj, Kylie Frank, Josh Adams, Cindy Shepperd, May Lynn Hammon (13!), Ed Santos, Danelle Reagan, Jillian-Kate Scott and Acaja-Lyn Scott have sunny Sunday birthdays. Taking another trip around the sun on Monday are Rod Heitstuman, Shauna Moore, Jonathan Madrid, Marlene Waddell, Lizzie Nowoj, Jadrian Hammon, Pearl Robertson, Jerrilou Shofner, Athena Kinsry, Michaelle Sande, Mike Erin, Sherry Farmer and Rick Demmig (60!). Tuesday will be a good day for birthday celebrants Christa Hazel, Rosemary Goodlander, Kali Snider, Jeff Hall, Linda Hall, Austin Chadderdon, Nicholle Sheppard, David Townsend, Julie Kirking, Russell Larson and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Jeff and Candace Smith have no excuse for missing each other’s birthday since they share the date.
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.