Three Outings
Outing #1 - May 18, 2007
Tom and Karen invited us for dinner. The site chosen was to be reached via kayak, launching from Johnson Creek. So the 4 of us launched at about 4:30 PM, Tom and Karen, each in their foldable singles, and Eli and I in Zwilli. When we hit the big lake (Pend Oreille), we hung a left and headed for Sacred Woman's Beach (don't ask). The sacred beach was occupied, so we stopped 193 yards short at a beach that won't be there when the lake reaches full pool. We set up there after abandoning a nicely contoured site, too near the forest and its largish mosquitos. Moving closer to the water solved that problem. Tom cooked steaks, Karen brought a pasta salad, Eli had smuggled licorice from home, and I provided bottle of prosecco and one of petite sirah. It was a special feast with a view over the water to the mountains 20+ miles to the east.
After dinner, at dusk, we relaunched the kayaks and made our way back to the Johnson Creek landing - which is really part of the Clark Fork delta. Along the way we startled multiple beavers, who showed their irritation with a tail slap before submerging.
We lucked out with a warm, clear evening - which this time of year ain't necessarily so. All in all, a splendid evening.
Outing #2 - May 20, 2007
One of our best local hikes is the Mickinnick Trail, just on the north edge of Sandpoint (short of Schweitzer Road). Eli and I set out even though rain threatened, but all we got was a sprinkle or two. The climb is 2150 vertical feet spread over 3.5 miles. It is well defined and maintained, an easy walk. We would compare it to the Mt. Benson hike on Vancover Island, just inland of Nanaimo. Mt. Benson is somewhat more challenging with a less well defined trail. Both offer splendid views, but Mt. Benson offers creeks and waterfalls as well. The round trip took just over 3 hours - part of which was spent visiting with acquaintances encountered long the way. Although we met only four or five other hiker pods, two pods were made up of friends.
Outing #3 - May 22, 2007
I try to ride up Schweitzer road once or twice a week in the warmer months (OK, maybe thrice, maybe none). This day was chancy, with a potentially ugly forecast for bicycling. The ride from home is a bit under 30 miles round trip with a vertical rise of 2500+ feet concentrated on the 8.5 mile Schweitzer Road - so nothing steep. This was my 4th Schweitzer ride of the young season. At the Mormon Church, short of the base of Schweitzer Road I could see precipitation up in the ski basin. Nevertheless, I went ahead.
The ride was dry, up until about 10 minutes short of the ski lodge (4600+ foot elevation), when the clouds released a load of grauple. When I got to the lodge, it turned to mixed snow and rain - probably about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After a bit of sustenance at the Mojo Coyote Cafe (food not recommended). I put on my sweater and rain jacket and headed down. I'm not sure why I thought it acceptable to leave my rain pants at home. It was a cold ride down for my legs, but my upper body stayed warm. My legs fell off at home.
Richard
2007.05.22
