We are back from a bit of a hiatus. Left the chaos that was our life at home, and took to the wilds of Idaho. We rented a beachfront house on Priest Lake with my folks and brother. It was a bit of a walk down memory lane as my mom grew up going there with her family, and my folks in turn took us when we were kids. Priest is a crystal clear lake with darn near Hawaii like white sandy beaches spotting it's shoreline. It's off the main road far enough to not attract as many travelers as some of the other nearby lakes, but I was blown away with how many new enormously fancy houses there were. The cabin we rented was perfect; old enough to feel homey, with all the modern amenities one would like for a laid back week (we do plenty of roughing it). There was plenty of space for us all, and Cam and I were lucky to sleep on the screened in porch, falling asleep to the sound of the creek running through the property and swirled in fresh air coming off the lake. We didn't really do all that much.... the weather was unremarkable which limited our beach time, but I was ok with that-- in fact I think it was just what we needed. The kids enjoyed exploring a new area, living in a cabin, picking huckleberries, and of course having their grandparents at their beck and call for a whole week! Cam did not stay the entire week due to houses that need to be built and animals to care for, but we were able to do some fishing, and explore the wilderness of the upper part of the lake. Upper Priest is accessed by a waterway that reminds me of a combination of Alaska and the Everglades. It opens into this secluded portion of the lake that is only accessible via boat. There is no civilization in sight... heavily treed mountains surround you, and you get the feeling that if the world as we knew it came to an end, you'd be just fine. 
Our first visit to Upper Priest, was myself, my brother and my husband. We must have had the powers of the earth on our side, as we hit a once in a season fishing time---- a mayfly hatch. I have never seen more fish activity in my life, second to feeding time at a hatchery. Fish were literally jumping in every direction (at one point I told my brother that maybe we should just troll around as they were sure to just land in our boat). I quickly hooked a decent kokanee, and the boys didn't take long to catch up. The excitement of the evening was centered on the fly rod. Cam quickly changed gear to match the hatch, and floated a perfect fly. It's so fun to watch a fly rod, as you can see the fish attack...and I may be known for my overzealous excitement with a fish on. It's just one of those things that makes you feel like your an able person. Cam hooked a couple on the fly rod, and my brother almost had one on it as well. Talk about living! Unfortunately, my dad and I did not have the same luck when we went several days later. Leave it to me to gush about the miraculous fish infested waters, and then lead a man to a fishless day. As Cam would say, "I guess that's why they call it fishing and not catching."
After Cam left, my folks and I took the kids back up to the upper lake, and enjoyed a remote beach; my mom and the kids picked huckleberries, and Kendyl had herself a good long nap on the beach, and all the way home on the boat. Land holds strong memories and emotions, there is nothing as stable as the dirt (or sand) beneath or feet to remind us of distant times. Other memories we made this trip include a fun night of board games with the whole crew, Cam and Dad having epic chess wars, Barret learning chess, huckleberry pancakes, me catching up on two years of sleep deprivation, and sharing it all with a new generation.
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| Vacation is Tough on a Girl |
Nevertheless, a week is a good amount of time to be away from home, and I'm becoming more of a homebody as I age. The kids had a blast, but we were all ready to be back on the ranch and back to a bit of normal. Bear told me "he missed dad, and our old life" on the morning we left, so I think we timed it fairly well. Thankful for my parents for making it happen, it's a place that holds a lot of good memories!!
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Back on the ranch, we are right back to it. Cam and Dad were standing the last big wall within hours of arriving back home. It was a bit dicey--I'm quickly discovering that this house seems a bit more dangerous than our last, and it makes me nervous about the roofing process coming up. As always, the guys prevailed though, without injury... THANK GOD! Cam has really had to think creatively without a team of friends and equipment nearby. We of course have had help, but it's been a much more primitive process this go round. The focus to this project and others around our property seems to be returning though, and I feel these next few months will be fairly productive.
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| The Chief |
After my folks headed back over the hump, I relished in my ducklings being back underfoot at home, and even put some miles on my big 'ol horse. I weeded the garden, tended to the animals, and we took in a movie in town this afternoon. It feels good to have more time to focus on the home, there is nothing that sets my flame afire quite like it. Without guilt I was out in the garden after getting the kids to bed, and plan on being found there again tomorrow. Time is a precious commodity, and there always seems to be more projects than the seasons can hold. I feel like with school finishing, I am just beginning to soak in the fact we moved to Eastern Washington. We moved yearning for a slower way of life, but truly when you start with bare land, and no work crew, there is not much simplicity that occurs. Would I change it??? Well..... I'd definitely have a few more fences, and a milk cow.... a nice big barn would be ok.........but no, I think Cam and I enjoy a genuine challenge/struggle----- a fight, a proving field for our own warrior spirits. It's what we are good at, and in our hearts we know it's why we are together... the endless pursuit of a way of life, the checking off of goals, survival--and most importantly the brick by brick building of our family. This is our legacy in action.
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| Childhood: Best Experienced Barefoot With a Trusty Friend |
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