Urgent Care, Shopping and A Loop Around the Lake

So after two weeks, Gil hit the wall with this cold, so off we went yesterday morning to the local UC.  He got the Z-Pak and I tucked him into bed and headed off to do nails and some serious shopping.  It was a fun afternoon checking out the shops in Coeur D'Alene (known as CDA locally).  I said goodby to the Ross stores and explored some of the local galleries.

Today, fortunately he is so much better.  Thank heavens for drugs!  We walked downtown and enjoyed the unique and charming shops along the lake.  We found some sweatshirts with the local saying, "live the lake" to bring back to our lake.  Lots of artsy sculpture around town.  I'm pictured with a 'guy' who was worth $9600.  We decided  to leave him here :=)

We headed South do do the loop around the lake and had a fun afternoon exploring.  It's unusual because some areas of the lake are really steep so the mountain mansions abound with gated driveways and steep access to the lake.  Other areas, are closer to the water and many areas have nothing but beautiful pines.  We figure this lake is about 30 miles in length. It was funny  to see a resort and sign for Beauty Bay...we have one of those on our lake!

Tonight we finally had our anniversary dinner!  The restaurant (The Cedars Floating Restaurant) was amazing and memorable as it floats on the Spokane River.  It has quite a history of battling high spring waters, floods and strong currents.  The view was amazing but it felt a little weird because it seemed like we were moving all the time as the river rushed by.  

I am so grateful for my iPhone and cell towers.  Just hearing little Maycen's voice say, "I miss you Nana" as we crossed over a high pass around the lake, and Xochitl's voice saying, 'Hi Nana - it's snowing again"  really makes my day!  One call at the top of a mountain and one in the Costco parking lot....ain' t technology great????

We hear from many of our RV friends who are also 'waiting out the next storm'  to head back home. Some are here and others in Branson and Arizona.  Maybe  the snow will be gone by May! We will head for Bozeman, MT tomorrow morning and will be sad to leave this paradise.  Especially since MN is having yet ANOTHER blast of winter!  Good grief...we sure picked a great year to be away.