IDAHO

Off to Idaho we go for another SOTF outing, driving through lots of land, crops and cattle in Eastern Washington. So much open space. This side of our state is polar opposite from our west side forested and mountainous terrain. It has its own beauty as we appreciate the soft rolling hills and variety of colors of the crop land. While driving, there is little to no opportunity for taking photos, so I grabbed at least one during a stop to stretch our legs.

Our destination for this night was Hell’s Canyon State Park where Susan had reserved a campsite for us. We had no idea what to expect and were so pleased to find a delightful campground on the Snake River. 

An observation about our entry into Idaho: gas is about $1.00 cheaper than at home ($3.74 is the going price here); the trade off could be that it was 89 degrees when we got to Lewiston!  Way too hot for us. At least late evening temps dropped to the 50s to make it comfortable enough to sleep.

We arrived early enough to take a short walk this evening to enjoy this piece of the Snake River Trail that runs into the park. It was a simple out and back walk where we got peeks of the river with some little trails leading to it, and several families sharing their camping outing together. The campground is a delight with lots of trees and lots of room between sites, and the river running right next to it.

The following morning Susan agreed to do a shortish bike ride along the trail to Lewiston - we were camped just outside of town. We play the game of “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”. For us that would be today, riding the Snake River Trail along the Snake River in Idaho ;’). This X in the sky must have been telling us we were in the right place - at least for this day. You are here.

We no sooner got on our bikes and started riding from our campsite when we came upon the Canada Goose families. They were so patient that we stopped to be patient as well. Once they realized we were waiting, the parents guided their babes across the trail to leave it clear for us. We didn’t even have to ring our bell ;’-). 

We thanked the families and continued on our delightful ride. Here are some photos from our adventure on the Snake River Trail.

Maybe an erratic rock?

A little bay off the river.

Soft rolling hills.

As we neared town, Susan spotted the Krunchy Chicken place and wanted to stop here to bring some with us for lunch. It was a great idea and we enjoyed our lunch at another State Park along our way - Lake Winchester State Park. I didn’t get any photos there but it was another delightful State Park. On the road to the park we saw the biggest flag either of us has ever seen. And we thought Camping World had the biggest flag.

Our return to camp took us on a couple of surface roads and I got to see these horses. Not a good photo, but a great metal sculpture. 

Back at the campground Susan made a stop to watch a couple of fly fishers who she said were fishing with a Spey rod — Spey casting she said.. OK.

We packed up the van, including our chicken lunch and headed on to our eventual destination of White Bird, Idaho. That is about 200ish miles north of Boise. 

From here it has gone a little down hill, but I will reserve more comment until later! We are now in White Bird at the Swiftwater RV Park. More about that will come later.

POST-CELEBRATION CAMPING IN LYNDEN

Susan had one more Title IX thing to attend on Sunday, a breakfast and speeches. This left me on my own so you might guess, I took a bike ride. I rode through the outskirts of Bellingham to get to some more country-type environment. On the way out of town I passed a few interesting homes, especially this one that is a true indication that I was indeed in Bellingham…

My destination for this day was Lummi Nation, the Lummi Tribe community. It was a very windy day and I felt it most while riding along the shore of the Bay. I didn’t get a lot of photos but surely enjoyed the riding. I stopped for the totem poles by the school.

And of course could not pass by a bike without taking a photo.

Though a bit in the distance, maybe this sail boat will give a little feel for the wind.

It was a bit of a distant ride and I feared I might be taking too long to get back to town and Susan would be pacing as she waited for me. To top it off, Google had to lead me back from where I had gone to start the ride, and I had a couple of short wrong turns! Then Google put me onto one of Bellingham’s trails that I was glad I had done in the past or I would surely have missed a connection. All my worry was for naught as my timing was about perfect. I arrived in time to get to the coffee shop next door to where Susan was at the ferry terminal building for a tea and crumpet, and before finishing my tea she was texting that she was ready. 

Now we were ready to continue on for our added attraction of camping, relaxing and bike riding around Lynden and Whatcom County. I think you can highlight and open the link that will tell you more than you ever thought you wanted to know about Lynden. https://www.historylink.org/File/8393. It’s the largest Dutch community in Washington State, Reformed Dutch now, and is an “orderly, conservative, religious community”. Most businesses, including restaurants (and the ice cream store ;’() are closed on Sunday, and you cannot dance and drink alcohol in the same place.

We arrived at the campground, were both a little tired, it had rained the night before so it was damp and chilly this morning so we dawdled quite a bit and almost did not ride on this day. So glad we did!

Susan joined me on two of my three rides from the campground into and through the countryside of dairy farms and berry orchards. Very little traffic with some roads having none at all. It was a delightful area to ride in.

Typical farm buildings always of interest to me.

Tumble down farm building that has served its day.

There are some farm houses though that are exquisite. 

This place with the bright white meandering fences could be in Kentucky or Virginia horse country.

Raspberries, blueberries and grapes all along our routes.

New plantings in rows that puts one in mind of the Arlington Military Cemetery.

Curious about what these were planted in … when they grow up, they just outgrow the carton which then becomes compost ;’).

This is Dairy Farm country too, but I got only one photo of dairy evidence - a long horn.

Back in town however, we witnessed the fruit of dairy farms.

On my solo ride I found the casino which, being Lynden, surprised me. I know there is that ordinance that you cannot dance and drink alcohol in the same place, so gambling must be in there somewhere! Perhaps this is just outside the city limit and has no jurisdiction.

Entrance to the Casino has totems.



Continuing on my solo ride to Sumas, I found more hills to add to those that Susan and I had found the day before. Being in essentially “flat” country, hills were a surprise to us.

Sumas is a border crossing town into Canada and has more industrial areas to it. Lumber mill, seed and feed mill and grainery.

I didn’t ride into what there is of a downtown, and was soon back on the quiet country roads.

This ended our adventure in and around Lynden and Bellingham. Home to catch up with things before we take off again for another short outing. Stay tuned. ;’)

TITLE IX CELEBRATION FOR WOMEN ATHLETES AT WWU

I am so very far behind in posting anything here, I am not sure that I will actually “catch up”. But as my supervisor (Diane) told me when I began my job, trying to dig out from under oh so much backlog from previous employees — at some point you must cut your losses and continue from this day forward!! Heeding such sage advice, that is what I will do now, and maybe go back to some of my past stories later - and maybe not.

OK so, I know you will recall that back in the day, women athletes were second class citizens to men athletes and thus, not only did they have to FIGHT for the use of the gym and equipment for practice, they were never awarded any recognition. The men (at least at WWU) got letters, blankets, jackets and any other awards while the women got none. Fast forward to 1972ish when Title IX was enacted and ensured that all athletes would be treated with equality. That meant facilities as well as awards and all other things that had been unattainable for women would now be available to them. THIS WAS A BIG DEAL FOR WOMEN. Initially there was still the need to fight those male coaches for use of the gym and equipment, and the men thought of the women coaches as “the devil”, but eventually that did change. Fortunately.

All this to say that WWU (Western Washington University), along with their campus ‘Back to Home’ weekend celebration, included a celebration of all WWU women athletes who never received their varsity award(s).

Susan, being one of those athletes, was sure to not miss this long overdue recognition so we planned a few days of camping around the weekend. And to start that off, one of her roommates, Marilyn, planned a little reunion time with several of their past roommates at WWU back in the day. Marilyn and her husband Gary were most gracious hosts, providing us a delightful spot for our RV, nestled in the trees and next to the chickens, put out snacks for an afternoon of chatting and giggling together as the roommates relived some of their antics. Top that with each of us being given a homemade by Marilyn roll of pizza dough to make our own pizzas for dinner. What fun.

We loved the chickens and they sure did seem to enjoy us being nearby. They always ran to the fence when we came by.

The roommates had lots of fun catching up and remembering their antics together.

At the table: Maggie (who brought the basketball balloon), Marilyn, Betty, Sandy, Susan

Marilyn had made pizza dough for each of us to make and enjoy our own pizza. 

Lots of toppings to load up the pizza. And though I did not get a photo, we enjoyed an early evening dessert of blueberry crisp with blueberry preserves made from Marilyn & Gary’s very own grown blueberries. Yummy.

The gals included a Basketball balloon to honor Susan, and it followed us on to our camp spot at Lynden KOA. 

Before camping though we had the celebration on Saturday, the athletes’ breakfast on Sunday. So, a few photos from the celebration and awards day. There was a tour of the new athletic facility (Caver Gym) which is truly state of the art, then mingling time where the athletes met and mingled. Then they each got their long overdue Varsity Letter.

The athletes lined up in order of the year(s) they played, starting with the more recent and going back to 1968-70. Then each was called up individually.

Susan walks to the podium as her name is called…

The celebration was live streamed and Sarah sent a couple of photos from her TV viewing.

This is what helped for the pronunciation of Susan’s entire name…

Susan and her coach of years past…

Another photo sent by Sarah with Granddaughter Lucy watching Grama get her award. What a wonderful thing for Lucy to witness and be aware of. All of Sarah’s and Jenny’s family cheered and hurrahed as they watch the live stream of Grama walking to receive her varsity letter.

After all awards were given there was time again to mingle and for group photos.

Susan gathered with her Track team.

Though Susan and Elaine did not participate in sports with each other (Elaine lettered in Volleyball, Susan in Basketball, Track & Field, and  Cross Country), they developed a life long friendship that has carried over to their children. and even grandchildren, being close friends as well. More family than friends.

All attendees gathered together. Susan is four rows up, fifth from the left.

Wave to the camera.

Susan with her Basketball Team and their beloved coach Lynda Goodrich in front center wearing black & white.

CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN